The Place of Mine
Translation from Yiddish by R. F. Hahn
Mayn rue plats
Don’t look for me where myrtles flower.
You will not find me there, my dear.
Among machines, where life is dour:
The place of mine, it is right here.
Nit zukh mikh vu di mirtn grinen.
Gefinst mikh dortn nit, mayn shats.
Vu lebns velkn bay mashinen,
Dortn iz mayn rue plats.
Don’t look for me where birds are singing.
You will not find me there, my dear.
I am a slave where chains are ringing:
The place of mine, it is right here.
Nit zukh mikh vu di feygl zingen.
Gefinst mikh dortn nit, mayn shats.
A shklaf bin ikh vu keytn klingen,
Dortn iz mayn rue plats.
Don’t look for me where founts are splashing.
You will not find me there, my dear.
Where tear drops run, where teeth are gnashing:
The place of mine, it is right here.
Nit zukh mikh vu fontanen shpritsn.
Gefinst mikh dortn nit, mayn shats.
Vu trern rinen, tseyner kritsn,
Dortn iz mayn rue plats.
And if you love me with devotion,
Please come to me right here, my dear.
Take from my heart the sad emotion,
And give my place right here some cheer.
Un libstu mikh mit varer libe,
To kum tsu mir, mayn guter shats,
Un hayter oyf mayn harts di tribe
Un makh mir zis mayn rue plats.
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