Nor zorgt nisht yidn
The topic of this song is the rumoured declaration of a Jewish state in British Palestine. The song was sung in the ghetto by the street singer, troubadour Yankele Hershkovitsh, to the same melody as 'Kemfn' (Struggle).
Yaakov Rotenberg calls this song a song of prophecy. The refrain brings comfort and hope and instructs the Jews not to be anxious since, God willing, all Jews will reach the Land of Israel, the Promised Land.
The song introduces the political idea of establishing a Jewish state, as described in the Balfour Declaration of 1917. It claims that America is putting pressure on Britain to grant Palestine to the Jews. As a result, the Jews who are already there are rejoicing while the agreement is signed. This did in fact happen much later – in 1947 – with the United Nations’ Partition Resolution.
The second verse suggests with some pride the need for a Jewish army in an independent Israel, a pleasant fantasy for the ghetto inhabitants.
This recording of Yaakov Rotenberg singing the song was made by Gila Flam in Israel.
The melody is in a major key and features a marching rhythm. The original melody comes from a pre-war song composed by Dovid Beyglman, 'Ganovim lid' (Thieves' song), which was probably a theatre hit that made its way to the ghetto 'cabaret'.