Yehudit Ravitz - Song With No Name

There's recently been a flood of new Israeli music, a welcoming sign, but I still find myself drawn to the familiar classics which have given me comfort in the past nine months. Shalom Hanoch wrote this beautiful song in memory of his nephew who died during his military service in a training accident in 1980. While I was aware of the song in the past, the lyrics understandably resonate differently, especially on uncertain days like today.

Brilliant translation by Youtube user @Trans_Lator:

For my song's echo resonating

My own postcard for sending

Course of life in bliss

Things I miss

Prayers which I hiss

For my song as a leaf is shaken

So unstable, forsaken

It's the dimmed out light, shown so right

All through the night

It is you in and out of my sight

As I stray, have crossed my way

Some pictures inside their frames

And some names, some names

You go into and out of my sight

Oh

Darkness all around

Wishing so

You could hear my sound

Just might, just might, just might

You go into and out of my sight

On my way, have met till day

Some scenery, tune and word

Portraits sad or glad

You go into and out of my sight

Yes

Silence all around 

Just in case 

You can hear my sound

Just might, just might, just might

You go into and out of my sight

Just might, just might, just might

You go into and out of my sight

For my song is the wind that's blowing

Open window for showing

My fresh air supply, laugh or cry

End for my fight

You go into and out of my sight

Yehudit Ravitz and Yoni Rechter - Tears of Angels

Today was the first time I stood at the memorial siren outside my house, not in a memorial service or a classroom. I was on my way home and just got off the train. The train came a few minutes before 8 and everyone patiently waited for the siren. On the platform most of us were already standing in position and I could hear the highway become quieter and quieter. The siren seemed softer than usual, but maybe I'm just used to louder sirens. I stood looking at the ground thinking about all the soldiers who lost their lives, grateful for not having to focus on any soldier I personally know and hoping it will stay that way. Tomorrow morning graveyards will be packed with mourning families and ceremonies and I'll be doing last-minute shopping for the Independence Day barbeque festivities which begin tomorrow evening. After the siren ended I walked up the escalator and everything seemed so normal on the bridge between Tel Aviv and Ramat Gan. Everybody was walking quickly and it was hard to believe that the siren was only a few minutes earlier. The only sign of it was an old man peering out to the highway which was now completely back to normal. It reminded me how we all seem to bounce back to life so quickly, even when we're not really ready yet but without much of a choice because life has to go on. It's so sad how such a huge part of Israeli music is memorial music which sadly everyone can identify with. There's something very beautiful and emotional about this fragile song. Unlike other memorial songs, it's less about the loss itself and more about the healing process and trying to cope with the loss "the morning after" at funerals and later on in life. I hear it every Memorial Day and I never get tired of it. The piano and guitar go together perfectly and it's truly a timeless song.

Tears of angels
Quiet tears
Beautiful and sad tears
Stream down on the horizon tears and searching...
What are they seeking? Ah...

Because when the angels cry
In another world,
Then in this world
We're even sadder.

Tears of angels.
Why are they crying the angels?
Maybe because it's not easy
To be an angel,
In such a sad world.

Because when the angels cry...

And also we here
Want to cry together with them
What to do?
Want to cry and the tears don't fall,
The tears don't stream.

Because when the angels cry...

Tomorrow the Independence celebrations begin and here's a message from Mr. Shimon Peres. When he says that he remembers every year of Israel's existence I have no trouble believing it:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hfLBRqsj41A

Speaking of the next generation, it may seem a bit out of context to post this lighthearted video cover of  Walk of the Earth's cover to the addictive "Somebody You Used to Know" but it actually really isn't. The soldiers here are a sharp reminder of the fact that so many of the 22,993 fallen soldiers and victims of terror were college-aged kids who just wanted to hang out and have some fun. I just love the authenticity of the video especially when the young officer walks in and although he gives them a "seriously?!" look he can't really hide how amused he is and maybe also proud as he looks over them like a big brother. Makes me miss the family feeling of army life.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4KLLpRGHZwY&context=C4d82223ADvjVQa1PpcFNTyinOn0yGtnbdpXpLkD-vKKdj3EmtrTM%3D

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MjBTXyJQpE8

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Yehudit-Ravitz/23066052200

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yoni_Rechter