|
Words/Music by Aviv Geffen Many of us only know Israel’s army from what we see on TV or read in the newspaper, but this song takes us behind the scenes to what being a citizen who serves in the army is like for young Israelis. As a young solider returns home for a 24-hour visit, we are invited into his thoughts and feelings. Reuniting briefly with his family and his girlfriend, the soldier demonstrates the sacrifices Israelis make to maintain a people’s army. Back home the soldier can acknowledge some of the emotions he needs to keep in check while serving. As he sets out to return to his base, he longs to stay with his girlfriend. Waiting for the bus, the radio reports political events that perhaps mean that “peace is coming” The soldier, however, is skeptical and, more than anything else, simply tired. - Yonatan Glaser
VERSE 1 Hash'cheinim shebachalon CHORUS VERSE 2 CHORUS VERSE 3
He returned from the army. He seemed dreadfully tired, but soon he will arrive. An old lane in the neighborhood, he crosses to his love who waits. The neighbors at the window laugh, stand at attention. The cooking smells at home. His mother at the entrance. He replaced her worry with a kiss. But inside him are drawn revolvers, crying people, blooming thorns. But inside himself he is a drawn weapon, it always hurts when the wounds are open. At the window a star rises. She sees him cry and says, “I too am afraid.” He answers her, “It’s hard to leave something as beautiful as you.” And on the radio there is an interview: A senior figure in the government feels that peace is on the way. He sits at the bus terminal, he falls asleep sitting, and dreams of her.
Licensed by courtesy of Helicon Ltd. © 2000 Helicon Ltd.
|
