Nit kayn rozhinkes, nit kayn mandlen
'Nit kayn rozhinkes , nit kayn mandlen' (No more raisins, no more almonds) is a theatre lullaby composed by Dovid Beyglman, with lyrics by the poet Isaiah Shpigl. It was published by Shmerke Kaczerginski and other song collectors.
The song was written after the death of Shpigl’s daughter Eva. It is a 'negative' version of Goldfadn’s lullaby 'Rozhinkes mit mandlen' (Raisins and almonds), perhaps the best known song of the Yiddish theatre, if not all Yiddish songs. Goldfadn’s tender lyric, itself based on a folk lullaby, asks the sweet child to sleep well; the little goat that stood under his cradle would go to market and return with raisins and almonds. The little boy will grow up to be a scholar and a business man as well.
The ghetto version declares: No raisins, no almonds; father, who has not gone trading, will never come back home. Where did he go? To the world’s end. Nature is personified; owls and wolves identify and sympathise with the man going 'who knows where'.
The song’s melody does not quote or parody Goldfadn’s original tune, or any of the folk lullabies beginning with 'Unter Yankeles/Sorele’s …vigele' (Under Yankele or Sorele’s cradle).
This a capella version is a personal recording sung by Gila Flam.
Nit kayn rozhinkes, nit kayn mandlen is courtesy of Traditional Crossroads (www.traditionalcrossroads.com).
Recorded: Kampo, New York, USA
ISBN: CD 4297
Accession Number: CD213
Singing is Adrienne Cooper accompanied by Zalmen Mlotek playing Piano.