Tum balalaika

[Shteit] a bocher un tracht, tracht, tracht 
Di gantze nacht, nacht, nacht 
Vemen tzu nemen, Un nit farshemen. 
Vemen tzu nemen, Un nit farshemen. 

Tumbala, tumbala, tum balalaika 
Tumbala, tumbala, tum balalaika 
Tum balalaika, shpil balalaika, 
tum balalaika Freilich zol zein.

Narisher bocher vos darfst du fregen 
A shtein ken vaksen, vaksen on regen 
A libe ken brenen un nit oifheren 
A hartz ken beinken, veinen, on treren.

Tumbala, tumbala, tum balalaika 
Tumbala, tumbala, tum balalaika 
Tum balalaika, shpil balalaika, 
tum balalaika Freilich zol zein.

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BALALAIKA. 

A young man stands and thinks, thinks, thinks 
The whole night, night, night 
Whom to take [in marriage] and not to offend
Whom to take [in marriage] and not to offend. 

Tumbala, tumbala, tum balalaika 
Tumbala, tumbala, tum balalaika 
Tum balalaika, play balalaika, 
tum balalaika, It will be joyful. 

You foolish young man, what are you asking? 
A stone can grow, grow without rain, 
A love can burn and not be consumed, 
A heart can yearn, cry without tears. 

Tumbala, tumbala, tum balalaika 
Tumbala, tumbala, tum balalaika 
Tum balalaika, play balalaika, 
tum balalaika, It will be joyful.