Hanuka Dance

In 1942, Woody Guthrie moved to Brooklyn and soon, through his mother-in-law (the renowned Yiddish poet Aliza Greenblatt), he became involved with the Coney Island Jewish Community. He wrote songs about Hanukkah, about Jewish history and about spiritual life.

After his death in 1967, these songs sat forgotten in archives. “Lost” for almost 30 years, Guthrie’s Hanukkah lyrics were discovered in 1998 by Woody’s daughter, Nora Guthrie. She was so inspired by what she found, she asked the Klezmatics to write new music for the lyrics.

Tippy tap toe! Happy Hanukah!
‘Round you go! My little latke!
On your toes! Happy Hanuka!
And around and around you go!

Clap your hands! Happy Hanuka!
Clap clap hands! My little shtroodler!
On your toes! Happy Hanuka!
And around and around you go!

Jump real high! Happy Hanuka!
Jump jump high! My little fruitycake!
On your toes! Happy Hanuka!
And around and around you go!

Run real fast! Happy Hanuka!
Runny run run! My little sugar pie!
On your toes! Happy Hanuka!
And around and around you go!

Hop hop hop! Happy Hanuka!
Hoppity hop! My little rabbit!
On your toes! Happy Hanuka!
And around and around you go!

Skippy skip skip! Happy Hanuka!
Skippity skip! My little honeybun!
On your toes! Happy Hanuka!
And around and around you go!

Word & Music by Woody Guthrie
© Copyright Woody Guthrie Publications, Inc. & TRO-Ludlow Music, Inc. (BMI). All rights reserved.

lyric source: https://www.woodyguthrie.org/Lyrics/Hanuka_Dance.htm

information about Klezmatics album: https://www.klezmatics.com/woody-guthries-happy-joyous-hanukkah