HEBREW HYMN.
Hebrew Hymn.
Transcriber’s Note: Click on the [Listen] link to hear the music and on the [MusicXML] link to download the notation.
The music contains two errors, both corrected in the audio file. Third system, bass clef, second bar, first note: Arpeggio is missing. Fourth system, bass clef, first bar, first chord: Note written as F is meant to be played as G.
“Ader ho, ader ho, yebne beitho bekarob,
Bimbeira, bimbeira, beyameenoo bekarob.
Eil bene, Eil benei, benei beitkha bekarob
Bimbeira, bimbeira, beyameenoo bekarob
Eil bene, Eil bene, benei beitkha bekarob.
Barokh hoo, gadol hoo, yebne beitho bekarob
Bimbeira, bimbeira, beyamenoo bekarob.
Eil bene, Eil benei, benei beitkha bekarob
Bimbeira, bimbeira, beyameenoo bekarob.
Eil bene, Eil bene, benei beitkha bekarob.”
I could not but feel for the man when I thought of the glory of his nation that had passed away, the Temple that had been destroyed, and the Jews wanderers on the face of the earth. Their supplication to the Lord is affecting. “Even in our days build thy Temple speedily.” Mr. Wolff repeated the hymn of the Carāites, and then chanted it in Hebrew: it is beautiful and touching. The Rabbi, Simon Ben Nuhai, stood forth from the congregation, and chanted these words:—
The Rabbi—
“On account of our Palace which is destroyed.”
And the people answer—
“We sit alone and weep!”
“On account of our Temple which is laid waste.”
“We sit alone and weep!”
“On account of Jerusalem which is desolate.”
“We sit alone and weep!”
“On account of our Princes who have sinned.”
“We sit alone and weep!”
The Rabbi—
“On account of our Kings who have committed iniquity.”
And the people answer—
“We sit alone and weep!”
“On account of our High Priests who have done wickedly.”
“We sit alone and weep!”
“On account of our Prophets who have seen false visions.”
“We sit alone and weep!”
“On account of our precious stones which are burned.”
“We sit alone and weep!”
Rabbi—
“Let shine thy government upon Zion.”
People—
“And build thou the walls of Jerusalem.”
Rabbi—
“Have mercy upon Zion.”
People—
“A branch shall spring forth at Jerusalem!”
A lady brought Mr. Wolff to call upon me, he being anxious to see my collection of Hindoo idols. On his arrival, he introduced himself in these words:—“I am of the tribe of Benjamin, and Benjamin was a ravening wolf,—and so, they call me Wolff!”
On Sunday he preached, or rather gave us a homily, which was sufficiently startling for even us Indians. What you sober people in England would think of it, I know not. We dined at Mr. F⸺’s house, and met Mr. Wolff. After dinner, he was very anxious all the ladies should write their names in his Bible, which is seldom out of his hands, and was in such a state I did not like to touch it. Should he visit Hampshire, he will give lectures: they are worth hearing. Perhaps he will repeat the story of the mother of St. Augustine. All that I recollect of it is, the mother, weeping bitterly, spoke to some holy man respecting her son, whose conduct gave her pain. He answered, “The child of a mother of so many tears cannot be lost.” This child was afterwards St. Augustine. It is very beautiful, “The child of a mother of so many tears cannot be lost!”
I gave Mr. Wolff two Hindoo idols, with which he was much pleased: he interests himself in the Muhammadan religion, but is entirely ignorant respecting the worship of the Hindoos.