Artist & Tune
Version by Theodore Bikel
Version by Glee
Version by Barenaked Ladies
About the Song
Oh Chanukah is an English version of the Yiddish Oy Chanukah (Yiddish: חנוכּה אױ חנוכּה Khanike Oy Khanike). The English words, while not a translation, are roughly based on the Yiddish. "Oy Chanukah" is a traditional Yiddish Chanukah song.
"Oh Chanukah" is a very popular modern English Chanukah song. This upbeat playful children's song has lines about dancing the Horah, playing with dreidels, eating latkes, lighting the candles, and singing happy songs. The song was written by Mordkhe (Mark) Rivesman, and first published in Susman Kiselgof's 1912 Lider-Zamlbukh [Song anthology].
The original Yiddish lyrics written by Mordkhe (Mark) Rivesman are:
(Oy), Khanike oy Khanike
A yontef a sheyner,
A lustiker a freylekher
Nisht do nokh azoyner
Ale nakht mit dreydlekh shpiln mir
Frishe heyse latkes, esn on a shir.
Geshvinder, tsindt kinder
Di Khanike likhtlekh on
Zogt "Al Hanisim", loybt Got far di nisim
Un lomir ale tantsn in kon
Zogt "Al Hanisim", loybt Got far di nisim
Un lomir ale tantsn in kon.
Translation(s)
literal translation of Yiddish lyrics:
(Oh), Chanukah, Oh Chanukah
A beautiful celebration.
Such a cheerful and happy one,
There is none like it.
Every night with the dreidels we will play,
Fresh, hot latkes we will eat endlessly.
Come quickly children
Light the Chanukah candles
Say "Al HaNissim", praise God for the miracles
And we will all dance together in a circle!
Say "Al HaNissim", praise God for the miracles,
And we will all dance together in a circle!