I Am a Palestinian Child
By Rima Tarazi, educator and composer
This song, here in its English version, is one example of how identity has been taught to children under the occupation. The role of music in uniting Palestinians can be seen in the huge array of songs dealing with the 1st Intifada (popular uprising).
Refrain:
They ask me who I am
I am a Palestinian child
they ask me “where do you live”
I live in my forefather’s land
1. They ask me how can you
live in humiliation and how can you endure
why don’t you pack and leave
to foreign land and emigrate
foreign lands don’t please me
Palestine is my homeland
It has all my dreams and hopes.
Refrain
Additional verses:
2. As long as the sun warms me
and my good earth feeds me
and the springwaters quench my thirst
and the trees give me shade
as long as I hear the birds
sing on roof-tops
and I can see the moon and the flowers
I will remain happy and content.
3. In the heavens there are always stars
no matter how cloudy it is
the nights will never last
and the darkness must lift
my heart feels the pain
yet it is filled with hope
that is why I am able
to live in misery and endure.
4. As long as I can walk on my feet
and write my own history with my hands
as long as the sunlight enters my eyes
and the sound of justice reaches my ears
I will remain alive and happy
on my land, steadfast and content
because I am certain and convinced
of the eventual downfall of injustice and tyranny.
Words and music by Rima Tarazi- Society of In’ash Al-Usra Al-Bireh, West Bank, 1979
Printed in the book Come and See that I Am Beautiful- Conversations with Palestinian Children by Bonnie Toland-2002
Shalom Chaverim
A Hebrew Folk Song
Shalom Chaverim! Shalom Chaverot!
Shalom, Shalom! Lehit raot,
Lehit raot, Shalom, Shalom!
Glad tidings we bring of peace on earth,
Good will toward all, of peace on earth,
Of peace on earth, Good will toward all.
Pronounced “Shah-lohm chah-vay-ream” ch like German “nach”
1957 by Cooperative Recreation Service
“Shalom” is a Hebrew word which is being more and more adopted into the English language. It is an expression used on meeting and parting, like “hello” or “goodbye, it means “peace” is in the book Children’s Songs for a Friendly Planet Kindergarten through sixth grade by Evelyn Weiss, Priscilla Prutzman, Nancy Silber 1986
