"Tumbalalaika" ( yi, טום־באַלאַלײַקע) is a

Russian Jew The history of the Jews in Russia and areas historically connected with it goes back at least 1,500 years. Jews in Russia have historically constituted a large religious and ethnic diaspora; the Russian Empire at one time hosted the largest pop ...

ish folk and love song in the

Yiddish language Yiddish (, or , ''yidish'' or ''idish'', , ; , ''Yidish-Taytsh'', ) is a West Germanic language historically spoken by Ashkenazi Jews. It originated during the 9th century in Central Europe, providing the nascent Ashkenazi community with a ver ...

. () is the Yiddish word for 'noise' and a balalaika is a stringed musical instrument of Russian origin.

Lyrics

Meaning

While most versions use ('a stone') as the answer to "what can grow without rain", some versions use ('understanding').

Cultural references and covers

* The song ''Over and Over'' by Nana Mouskouri uses this melody. It followed the singer's french version "Roule s'enroule" (lyrics by Michel Jourdan). * The song, "Tumbalalaika (The Riddle)" by Natalia Zukerman is a poetic adaptation of this to English, with the chorus remaining in Yiddish. * Benny Hill adapted the melody for one of his own compositions, ''Anna Marie,'' which he performed on his first special for Thames Television on November 19, 1969. * The film

Khrustalyov, My Car! ''Khrustalyov, My Car!'' (russian: Хрусталёв, машину!, Khrustalyov, mashinu!) is a 1998 Russian comedy-drama film directed by Aleksei German and written by German and Svetlana Karmalita. It was produced by Canal+, CNC, Goskino ...

shows a young Jewish boy singing the song in Russian. * The song is used in the film ''Swing'' by Tony Gatlif. * The song is used in the play '' Angels in America: A Gay Fantasia on National Themes'' by Tony Kushner and the film based on this play. It is sung by the ghost of Ethel Rosenberg to Roy Cohn, dying of AIDS. * The song is used in the film ''Prendimi l'anima''/''

The Soul Keeper ''The Soul Keeper'' ( it, Prendimi l'anima; french: L'âme en jeu) is a 2002 Italian-French-British romance-drama film directed by Roberto Faenza. It is loosely based on real life events of Russian psychoanalyst and physician Sabina Spielrein and ...

'' (2002) by Roberto Faenza. * The metal version of the song is included in the first Metal Yiddish album ''

AlefBase AlefBase is the second album by the Israeli metal band Gevolt. Released on 25 March 2011, the album was the first full-length metal album in Yiddish language. All tracks are based on Yiddish folk songs such as Tum Balalayke and Zog Nit Keyn Mo ...

'' by

Gevolt Gevolt is an Israeli metal band, founded in 2001. The band is known as the pioneers of Yiddish metal. They were the first band who combined traditional Yiddish music with metal. History The band was formed in Israel in 2001 by Anatholy Bonder ...

, released in March 2011 * A pastiche of the song is used in the play ''The Hamlet of Stepney Green: A Sad Comedy with Some Songs'' by Bernard Kops. * The song is included in the album ''Homenatge a Xesco Boix'', a tribute to . The latter used to play in his concerts for children. Also included in ''Cançons catalanes de Folk'' in 1976 (Terra Nostra). * The song appears in the novel '' The City Beautiful'' by Aden Polydoros. * A vietnamese version "Tình Nồng Cháy" (Passioned love) with lyrics by Anh Bằng, based on the english lyrics of "Over and Over" uses this melody. "Youtube, performed by Phương Ly"

References

{{Authority control Jewish folk songs Yiddish-language songs Year of song unknown