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12-string Guitar: Tumbalalaika

4,691 views · Published 5 September 2009 · 3:14 · Indexed 28 September 2026

Channel: threelegsoman · 2009 · Music

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Tumbalalaika is a Russian Jewish folk and love song in the Yiddish language. In common with other countries, it would appear that riddle songs are popular and often display the intelligence of the female partner. I first learned a version of this song from the BBC Radio Broadcast Singing Together. This version I found on the internet, but had to rearrange some of the words which were translated directly, but did not fit our poetic needs, so if you do know the original song please forgive any liberties I have taken in the translation. For some unknown reason my webcam would not allow me to lighten the picture which was recorded at 11-45pm, so I also apologise for the poor picture quality.

Tumbalalaika
Traditional
No capo

Dm                                                        A7           
A young lad stands, and thinks all night
                                                       Dm           
Thinks and thinks just what is right?
Dm 
Whom to take and not to shame
Gm                             A7          Dm
Whom to take and give my name?

Tumbala, Tumbala, Tumbalalaika
Tumbala, Tumbala, Tumbalalaika
Tumbalalaika, Tumbalalaika
Tumbalalaika, Tumbalaly

Maiden, maiden tell me true
What can grow without the dew?
What can burn for years and years?
What can cry and shed no tears?

Foolish lad, the answer true,
A stone can grow without the dew
Love can burn for years and years
A heart can cry and shed no tears.

What is higher than a house?
What is swifter than a mouse?
What is deeper than a well?
What is bitter, more bitter than gall?

A chimney is higher than a house
A cat is swifter than a mouse
The Torah is deeper than a well
Death is bitter, more bitter than gall

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