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The famous liturgical poem 'Adon Olam' (often attributed to the medieval Jewish philosopher Solomon ibn Gabirol) set to a new melody. The music shifts in the second half of the song to match the thematic shift ('from the cosmic to the personal') in the text.
lyrics
Adon Olam, traditional liturgy.
Adon olam asher malach / b'terem kol yetzir nivra /
Le'et na'aseh b'cheftzo kol / azai melech shemo nikra /
V'acharei kichlot hakol / levado yimloch nora /
V'hu hayah v'hu hoveh / v'hu yihyeh betifarah /
V'hu echad v'ein sheni / lehamshil lo lehachbirah /
B'li reishit, b'li tachlit / v'lo ha'oz v'hamisrah /
V'hu eli v'chai go'ali / v'tzur chevli be'et tzarah /
V'hu nisi u'manos li / menat kosi beyom ekra /
Beyado afkid ruchi / be'et ishan v'a'ira /
V'im ruchi geviyati / Adonai li, v'lo ira /
Translation (I've chosen to translate it literally, meaning text and syntax are also less elegant).
Lord of Eternity Who reigned / before anything was created /
In the hour of Creation, He willed all / and so His Name is known as King /
And after all is completed / only He will reign in awesomeness
He was, He is / and He will be in splendour /
He is Alone, there is no second / to rule Him in fellowship /
Without beginning, without end / and His power is not shared /
Yet He is my God, He is my life and my Redeemer / my rock in vanity in my hour of need /
He is my banner and my shelter / He is my Cup [of salvation] on the day I call /
In His hand I place my spirit / in the hour of my sleep and waking /
And with my spirit and body / the Eternal is with me, I shall not fear
credits
released August 10, 2012
Lyrics: traditional Jewish liturgy
Music: Esther Hugenholtz
Vocals and guitars: Esther Hugenholtz
Production: Dave Middleton
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