Don’t You Hear Jerusalem Moan

“Don’t You Hear Jerusalem Moan”
Traditional, Gospel
Arranged by Jacob’s Ladder
(Inspired by I’m With Her)

Jacob’s Ladder:
Ariel Wyner: vocals, mandolin
Sofia Chiarandini, vocals, fiddle, bass
G Rockwell: vocals, guitar

Video by: Athanasios Lazarou
Mixed by: Shaqed Druyan
Master by: Fader Mastering

This gospel number struck us as a must-sing crossover song between the Christian gospel tradition and the Jewish traditions. Jerusalem is all over Jewish liturgy, and is very much apart of the Jewish identity and soul, as best exemplified in Psalms 137 (” If I forget you Jerusalem, let my right forget how to work”).

There is so much these days that pulls us apart: to wake up in our world today in 2024, there is more of a natural tendency to “other” just about everything and everyone. We hope that this song does just the opposite.

There’s a wailing, “high lonesome” sound to traditional American folk and gospel songs, harkening back to the days of strife and toil as a working class person in the coal mines in late 19th century early 20th century America. Musical expression of Jewish suffering has varied greatly over centuries, though we find a deep connection with this expression of sorrow and hopelessness in light of the past year. We hope this song brings a little light to our dark times.



Lyrics:

Verse 1 (Birkat, Grace after Meals):
ובנה ירושלים Don’t you hear Jerusalem moan
עיר הקדש במהרה Don’t you hear Jerusalem moan
Don’t you hear Jerusalem moan X2
עיר הקדש במהרה בימינו and my soul set free don’t you hear Jerusalem moan

Verse 2 (Weekday Amidah):
וירושלים עירך ברחמים תשוב Don’t you hear Jerusalem moan
ותשכון בתוכה כאשר דיברת Don’t you hear Jerusalem moan
Don’t you hear Jerusalem moan X2
ובנה אותה בקרוב בימינו and my soul set free don’t you hear Jerusalem moan

Verse 3 (Jeremiah 33):
עוד ישמע בערי יהודה Don’t you hear Jerusalem moan
ובחוצות ירושלים Don’t you hear Jerusalem moan
Don’t you hear Jerusalem moan X2
קול ששון וקול שמחה קול חתן וקול כלה

Verse 4 (Psalms 137)
If I forget you O Jerusalem, Don’t you hear Jerusalem moan
Let my right hand wither away! Don’t you hear Jerusalem moan

Don’t you hear Jerusalem moan
Don’t you hear Jerusalem moan
Thank G-d there’s a Heaven and a ringing in my soul, and my soul set free don’t you hear Jerusalem moan

X2

Verse 5 (reprise):
ובנה ירושלים Don’t you hear Jerusalem moan
עיר הקדש במהרה Don’t you hear Jerusalem moan!

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