Ikh hob dikh shoyn lang (1976) is a strange, sad love song laden with resignation. As with Baym bentshn likht, the poem is set in a recitative-like parlando. The range is narrow, and the vocal line is a pianistic garland composed of chains of ascending and descending perfect fourths, harmonized and enriched by chromatically inflected chords. It is a short song, simple in format, yet infinitely touching.
Poet: Rajzel Zychlinska (1910–2001)
Long haven’t I hugged you,
My child,
So my hands are empty.
Long haven’t I heard you cry,
So my days are arid.
Long haven’t I heard you laughing,
So my life is sunless.
Long haven’t I seen you,
My child,
So I am blind.
Poet: Rajzel Zychlinska (1910–2001)
Ikh hob dikh shoyn lang nit arumgenumen,
mayn kind,
zaynen leydik mayne hent.
ikh hob dikh shoyn lang veynen nit gehert,
zaynen trukn mayne teg.
ikh hob dikh shoyn lang lakhn nit gehert,
iz zunloz mayn lebn.
ikh hob dikh shoyn lang nit gezen,
mayn kind,
bin ikh blind.
Performers: Ida Rae Cahana, Mezzo-soprano; Yehudi Wyner, Piano
Translations and Transliterations: Eliyahu Mishulovin
Preliminary preparations by Adam J. Levitin
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