Yisrael Sheli

ישראל שלי 

Israel 

In celebration of the 70th anniversary of Israel in 2018, this song was composed. The title translates as "My Israel". Gadi Bitton choreographed the official dance that goes along with the song. The dance is interesting in that it has many elements and motifs that are part of the original tradition of Israel dance that are not used as often in modern choreographies.

Music: Lior Narkis and Yardena Arazi, Israel Sheli: https://youtu.be/FBuxlQZuw5U
Composer: Oren Gispan
Lyrics: Yori Gispan
Israelidances.com entry: http://israelidances.com/dance_details.asp?DanceID=9726
Meter: 4/4
Formation: Closed circle, hands joined down in V position to start.
Introduction: bounce up and down, until the singing starts, then start with singing.

Part 1:

Bar 1: Step on R to R (1), Cross L over R (2), Step on R to R (3), Step on L behind R (4)
Bar 2: Pas de Basque RLR (1&2), Pas de basque LRL (3&4)
Bars 3-4: repeat bars 1-2
Bar 5: Sway to R (1), Sway on L to L (2), Cross R over L (3), Step L to L (4)
Bar 6: Step on R behind L (1), Step on L to L (2), Cross R over L with a deep bend, body bends too (3), Rock back on L, body straightens (4)
Bar 7: Step on R to R (1), Repeat counts 2-4 of bar 6 (2,3,4)
Bar 8: Sway on R to R (arms in shoulder hold) (1,2), sway on L to L (3,4)
Bars 9-16: repeat bars 1-8

Part 2: 

Drop hands
Bar 1: Do a complete CW turn into the center, stepping R (1), hop R (2), L (3), Hop L (4)
Bar 2: Pas de Basque RLR (1&2), Pas de basque LRL (3&4)
Bar 3: Facing center, Step R to R (1), L behind R (2), R to R (3), Touch L next to R (4), R arm sweeps forward and to the R on this step, L hand on hip
Bar 4: repeat bar 3, opposite footwork, hands and direction
Bar 5; Cherkessiya Step: Step backwards on R, arms swing down (1), Step in place on L (2), Rock forward on R, arms swing up (3), Step in place on L (4)
Bar 6: repeat bar 5
Bar 7: repeat bar 1, but turn out of the center (still turning CW)
Bar 8: Repeat bar 2
Bars 9-16: repeat bars 1-8

Interlude:

Bar 1: Step on R to R (1), touch L right to R, and clap (2), Step on L to L (3), Touch R to R touch (4)
Bar 2: repeat bar 1 with opposite footwork
Bar 3-8: repeat bars 1-2, three more time

Ending

Bar 1: Do a complete CW turn into the center, stepping R (1), hop R (2), L (3), Hop L (4)

Sequence:
Part 1, Part 2, interlude
Part 1, Part 2. (depending upon the recording this might be omitted)
Part 1, Part 2, ending

Videos

NOTE this video is in *mirror* image. So all the R steps are L etc and all the directions are backwards



This one is also in Mirror image!

Lyrics

from: http://www.hebrewsongs.com/?song=israelsheli



Eretz shamayim vayam,
Perach bamidbar,
Zayit, chitah, seorah vegam dvash,
Rimon te'ena vetamar.

Hayom yom huledet vechag,
Le'ertz avotai,
Behora sochevet netzeh babachol,
Beyachad nashir ad bli dai.


Chorus:
Sovu maagalim
Shiru lahilulim
Mi zo chogeget beh ayin shanim?
Israel sheli!

Hadliku ha'orot
Shiru bakikarot
Hanifu lemaala et kol hadgalim,
Israel sheli!


Verse 2:
Shavnu elayich lekan,
Miketzvei tevel,
Banu livnot bach velehibanot,
Eretz Israel.

Degel kachol lavan,
Magen David simlech,
Yerushalaim birah le'olam,
nezer shel or leroshech.


Chorus:
Sovu maagalim
Shiru lahilulim
Mi zo chogeget beh ayin shanim?
Israel sheli!

Hadliku ha'orot
Shiru bakikarot
Hanifu lemaala et kol hadgalim,
Israel sheli!


Verse 1:
Land of sky and sea,
A flower in the desert,
Olives, wheat, barley and also honey,
Pomegranate, fig and dates.

Today is a birthday and a holiday
For the land of my forefathers.
In a sweeping hora we’ll break out in dance.
Together we’ll sing with no end.


Chorus:
Circles go round and round
Sing for the reveling.
Who is celebrating seventy years?
My Israel!

Light all the lights
Sing in the squares.
Raise up the flags
My Israel!


Verse 2:
We've returned to you here
From all corners of the world
We came to build and to be built,
Land of Israel.

A blue and white flag,
A Star of David your symbol,
Jerusalem your eternal capital,
A wreath of light on your head.

Chorus:
Circles go round and round
Sing for the reveling.
Who is celebrating seventy years?
My Israel!

Light all the lights
Sing in the squares.
Raise up the flags
My Israel!

Al Kanfei HaKasef 

על כנפי הכסף

Israel

These notes ©2018, Andrew Carnie. Choreographed by Motti Elfassy (also spelled Alpasi, Alfassy) in 1970. The dance was also taught by David Edery and Shlomo Bachar. The music is the hymn of the Israeli Air Force. The song translates as "On silver wings".

Music: By Naomi Shemer, Kol Hashirim Song book 1

• Back from israel 76 (Hadarim 8)
• Naomi Shemer-Asif Part 2 CD
• https://youtu.be/VUpAtwmmBkM

Singer: Lehakat Cheil Ha'avir
Israelidances.com entry: http://israelidances.com/dance_details.asp?DanceID=343
Meter: 4/4
Formation: Closed Circle, hands down in V position.
Introduction: Depends upon the recording

The most common arrangement (and probably the original)

Part 1

Bar 1: Run R (1), L (2), R (3), L (4) in LOD
Bar 2: Run R in LOD (1), Step on L behind R, arms briefly swing forward (2), Step on R to R (3), Step on L in RLOD (4)
Bar 3: Facing center, Cross R in front of L (1), Step on L to L (2), Step on R behind L (3), step on L to L (4) (i.e. grapevine or mayim step)
Bar 4: repeat bar 3
Bar 5: Step on R into the center (1), hop on R (2), Step on L into center (3), hop on L (4), arms come up to W position
Bar 6: Yemenite R (step on R to R (1), Step on L in place (2), Cross R over L (3)), Hop on R (4)
Bar 7: Repeat bar 6 with opposite footwork and direction (Yemenite L with a hop at the end)
Bar 8: Run R (1), L (2), R (3), L (4) backing out of the center Arms come down to V position
Bars 9-16: repeat bars 1-8

Part 2

Bar 1: Facing center, step on R to R (1), Close L next to R with weight (2), Step on R to R (3), close L next to R with weight (4)
Bar 2: Rock on R into the center, arms briefly come up to W position (1), rock back in place on L, arms come down to V position (2), Step on R next to L (3), pause (4) [This is how the dance was notated earlier on and I think it's actually a more natural step, but many groups today jump on both feet on count (3), and hop on R, lifting L up next to R calf (4), I find this more modern version both awkward and tricky]
Bars 3-4: repeat bars 1-2 with opposite footwork and direction
Bars 5-8: repeat bars 1-4.

Bachar Arrangement: 

When Shlomo Bachar taught this dance in the late 1970s, he used a slightly different arrangement:

Part 1: 

Bars 1-4: do bars 1-4 of part 1 above
Bars 5-8: repeat bars 1-4

Part 2

Bars 1-4: Do bars 5-8 of part 1 as described in the modern arrangement
Bars 5-8: Repeat bars 5-8 of part 1 as described above

Part 3

Do part 2 of the modern arrangement

Other notes on the web

• http://www.folkdance.com/LDNotations/AlKanfeHakesef1998LD.pdf
• Bachar Version: http://socalfolkdance.com/syllabi/syllabus_statewide_1978.pdf
• Page 30 of 1998 Stockton Folk Dance Camp. 

Videos on the web

See also the following two videos which can't be embedded.

• https://drive.google.com/file/d/1hi1tzgIy-tW08i7jxmyaLsPAEZQBbprr/view
• https://drive.google.com/file/d/1rsjClehw9hNPaCHRNdQ6GwGMe0Kuiw2H/view

Shlomo Bachar Version:

Lyrics

Also called: Kanfe, Ha'Kasef, Hakasev, Hakasef, Hakassef, Kanfey

Balada Lama'ayan - Balada Al Mayan Veyam 

בלדה למעיין

Israel

These notes ©2018, Andrew Carnie. Originally choreographed by Shlomo Maman in 1983. The name translates as "Ballad to the Spring" (as in a spring of water, not the season).

Music: Moshe Wilensky

• https://youtu.be/qvDv1jiXDrg
• https://youtu.be/3eqgVoqubL8

Meter: 4/4
Formation: Circle, either hands down in V position or no handhold
Introduction: Depends upon the recording, but generally start with singing.

Part 1

Facing LOD
Bar 1: Rock forward on R in LOD (1), Rock back in place on L (2), Rock forward on R in LOD (3), Touch L toe forward in LOD (4)
Bar 2: Repeat bar 1 with opposite footwork
Bar 3: Drop hands if holding, step on R in LOD while turning CW 1/2 way  to face out (1), Touch L to L side (in LOD) (2). Step on L to L, turning CCW 1/2 way to face in (3), Touch R to R, retake hands if holding (4)
Bar 4: Drop hands again, Make a complete CW turn in LOD, stepping R (1), L (2), retake hands and, facing center, sway on R to R (3), Sway on L to L (4)
Bar 5: Repeat bar 4
Bar 6: Grapevine: Step on R to R (1), Cross L over R (2), Step on R to R (3), Step on L behind R (4)
Bars 7-12: repeat bars 1-6

Part 2

Facing and moving into the center
Bar 1: Rock onto R into the center towards the diagonal R (1), Rock back on L, slightly forward of starting position (2), Rock on R forward into the center towards the diagonal R (3), brush L foot forward and then circle out to the L (4)
Bar 2: Repeat bar 1 with opposite footwork and direction (still moving in)
Bar 3: Sway on R to R (1), Sway on L to L (2), Rock on R into the center, bringing hands up and above head with bent elbows (3), Rock back in place on L, arms come down to V position (4)
Bar 4: Step on R straight backwards, backing out of the center (1).Drag L foot closed next to R, taking weight on it (2). Step on R straight backwards (3). Drag L foot closed next to R, taking weight (4)
Bars 5-8: repeat bars 1-4

Alternate the steps until the end of the music

There are a few extra bars of instrumental music at the end and you see various endings to fill these. The original notes don't provide any guidance. Gadi Bitton does a deep knee bend, straightening up raising hands above head, but other ways are possible, including just holding the last close until the end of the music. 

Other instructions on the web

• Page 24 of Stockton Folk Dance Camp Syllabus (1999)

Other videos on the web

Lyrics

From http://www.hebrewsongs.com/?song=baladalema%27ayan

Nashir lachem nigun yashan
Nigun yashan al ma'ayan
Al ma'ayan shovav
Meimav hayu tzlulim tzlulim
Galav hayu kchulim kchulim
Me'al lechof zahav

Haya notzetz ba'avivim
Haya noshek ibey ibim
Chotz sedot dagan
Haya marve noded ayef
Vela'ilan hamitkofef
Et chiyuto natan

Chorus:
Aval me'omek nishmato hamo hama
Ve'ergato shafach lesahar vechama
Nishaf lane'elam velachalom nichma
Velo yada el ma el ma

Ach yom echad rotet me'od
Bikesh me'el haneharot
Aseni na gadol
Rotze ani eshed lihyot
Rotze ani lizrom ligot
Befele hamachol

Sho'ef ani harchek lindod
Be'oz lehania tachanot
Laset gishrey zahav
Sho'ef ani lihyot amok
Ad cheker en ve'ad en sof
Im oniyot al gav

Vechach me'omek,,,

Shama ha'el lama'ayan
Vechol mevukasho natan
Vayolicho layam
Hayam baketzef halavan
Bala et shir hama'ayan
Vegoralo nechtam
Hayam gadol mabua kat
Mitko nimlach shiro avad
Lo od yarve noded
Verak dayag echad katan
Shama et bchi hama'ayn
Asher bikesh latzet

Veshuv me'omek...


We will sing to you an old song
An old song about a spring
About a naughty spring
With very clear water
With very blue waves
Above golden sand

It sparkled in the springtime
It kissed new beginnings
Crossing grain fields
Filling the thirst of a tired wanderer
And gave it's livelihood
To a bent tree

Chorus:
But from the bottom of its soul it cried
And poured it's longing to the sun and the moon
Striving to the unknown and longed to the dream
But did not know what exactly it wants

One day - trembling
It asked from the God of the rivers
Make me big
I want to be a waterfall
I want to run
Like the wonder of dancing

I would like to wander far
To move mills strongly
To carry golden bridges
I want to be deep
To research every thing
With ships on my back

But from the bottom of its soul it cried.......

God heard the sprint
And he granted its wishes
Took him along to sea
The sea with its white foam
Swallowed the spring's song
And its destiny was signed
The sea is big a small fountain
It's sweetness filled with salt
Its song was lost
It will not satisfy the thirst of the wanderer
And only one small fisherman
Heard the spring's cry
The spring that wanted to come out

.........But from the bottom of its soul it cried

Koce Berberot (Weisburd/Coppey Version)

Гоце берберот

Macedonia/Israel

These notes  ©2017, Andrew Carnie.

I believe this dance was choreographed by Nicole Coppey and widely taught by Ira Weisburd.  In Tucson we do a completely different dance (which I admit I like better, but of course I choreographed it). This version feels a bit too Israeli to me, because the in and out and turn in the third part isn't typical of Macedonian Dances. Some of the videos even have the dancers dancing solo in a circle. This is common to Israeli dances but not Macedonian ones.  However, the dance is sufficiently popular that I'm notating it here anyway. The title translates as "Goce the Barber".

Music: Jonce Hristovski: https://youtu.be/gfFaBzQrB3M
Meter: 2/4
Formation: Closed circle, start with hands down in V position (or solo). Leads to the right.
Introduction: Start with singing.

Part 1:

Bar 1: Facing center, touch R toe forward (1), Touch R to the diagonal R (2)
Bar 2: Step R (1), L (&), R (2) in place
Bars 3-4: repeat bars 1-2 with opposite foot work
Bars 5-8: repeat bars 1-4

Part 2

Facing LOD
Bar 1:Step R (1), L (2) in LOD
Bar 2: Step on R  (1), L (&), R (2) in LOD
Bars 3-4: repeat bars 1-2 with opposite footwork but still moving in LOD
Bars 5-8: repeat bars 1-4, but traveling in RLOD.

Part 3: (Instrumental)

Facing center, but drop hands
Bar 1:Step on R  (1) L (2) into the center
Bar 2: Step on R  (1), L (&), R (2) in center, pulling R shoulder back to face out
Bar 3: Back up stepping L (1), R (2)
Bar 4: Step L (1), R (&), L (3) in place facing out
Bars 5-8: repeat bars 1-4, except traveling out of the center.

Repeat dance from the beginning until the end of the music.

Videos on the web

Lyrics

Taken from the comments on the video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gfFaBzQrB3M
Гоце берберот, чалгаџијата
Гоце берберот, мераклијата
Гоце, Гоце не јаде расолно месо
Гоце, Гоце не јади грав со пастрма

Гоце ми јади гуска печена
Гуска печена на шиш вртена
Гуска, гуска печена на шиш вртена
Суво грозје целата гуска полнета

Гоце берберот, чалгаџијата
Гоце берберот, мераклијата
Гоце, Гоце не пие мека ракија
Гоце, Гоце не пие вино кисело

Гоце берберот, чалгаџијата
Гоце берберот, мераклијата
Гоце, Гоце ми пие лута ракија
Гоце, Гоце ми пие вино лежано

Ако сакате да ви засвири
Дајте му на Гоцета што ќе посака
Гоце ќе ви засвири и ќе запее
Старо, младо на оро ќе развесели

Goce berberot, chalgadzijata
Goce berberot, meraklijata
Goce, Goce ne jade rasolno meso
Goce, Goce ne jadi grav so pastrma

Goce mi jadi guska pecena
Guska pecena na shish vrtena
Guska, guska pecena na shish vrtena
Suvo grozje celata guska polneta

Goce berberot, chalgadzijata
Goce berberot, meraklijata
Goce, Goce ne pie meka rakija
Goce, Goce ne pie vino kiselo

Goce berberot, chalgadzijata
Goce berberot, meraklijata
Goce, Goce mi pie luta rakija
Goce, Goce mi pie vino lezano

Ako sakate da vi zasviri
Dajte mu na Goceta sto ke posaka
Goce ke vi zasviri i ke zapee
Staro, mlado na oro ke razveseli

Also known as Gotse, Biberot, Goce, Kotse,

Hagan Habil'adi 

 הגן הבלעדי

Israel

These notes ©2017, Andrew Carnie. Choreographed by Marco Ben Shimon as a couple dance. Taught in the US by Ira Weisburd as a circle dance based on Ben Shimon's choreography. "The secret garden".

Music: Chava Alberstein Sweet sorrow
Lyrics: Rachel Shapira
Meter: 4/4
Formation: Circle, hands down in V position OR Couples, facing LOD
Introduction: Start with the "La la la las"
Israelidances.com entry: http://israelidances.com/dance_details.asp?DanceID=4890

Circle Dance Version - Ira's Edited Music

Part 1

Bar 1: Facing center, step R (1), L (2), R (3) into the center.  Rock back onto L (4). arms come up and forward.
Bar 2: Facing center, step R (1), L (2), R (3) backing out of the center. Rock forward onto the L (4), arms go back down to V position.
Bars 3-4: Repeat bars 1-2
Bar 5: Drop hands and turn to face LOD. Step R (1), L (2), R (3), turning to face slightly out as you move forward in LOD.  Snap fingers crossed in front of chest (4)
Bar 6: repeat bar 5, with opposite footwork, but turning to face slightly in.
Bars 7-8: repeat bars 5-6
Bars 9-16: repeat bars 1-8
Bars 17-18: repeat bars 1-2 (one extra in and out at the end)

Part 2

Bar 1: Retake hands in V position, but face slightly R of center. Walk forward in LOD: R (1), L (2), R (3). Brush L foot forward (4)
Bar 2: repeat bar 1 with opposite footwork
Bar 3: Facing center, step on R to R (LOD) (1), Cross L in front of R (2), Step on R to R (3), Step on L behind R (4)
Bar 4: Traveling in LOD, make a complete CW turn, stepping R (1), L (2), R (3), L (4)
Bars 5-8: repeat bars 1-4

Part 3

Bar 1: Not holding hands, facing center, step on R to R, arms go out to the sides low (1), pause (2), Step on L behind R, cross hands in front of body and snap (3), Step on R in place (4)
Bar 2: Repeat bar 1 with opposite footwork and direction
Bar 3: Step on R into the center, putting R hand forward (1,2). Turning CCW, pull L shoulder back and step on L out of the center facing out, lead with L hand forward (3,4)
Bar 4: repeat bar 3, continuing to turn CCW, end facing in.
Bars 5-8: repeat bars 1-4

Bridge

Bar 1: Sway on R to R, arms swing to the R low in front of body (1,2). Sway to the L on the L, arms swing to the L low (3,4)
Bar 2: Facing center, step on R to R, arms swing low to R (1), close L next to R, arms swing up and over to the L (2), Step on R to R (3), Pause (4)
Bars 3-4: repeat bars 1-2.

repeat entire dance from the beginning 2 more times
Repeat Part 1 one more time all the way through, then repeat bars 17-18 one more time to end. 

Circle Dance Version - Original Music:

This is how to make the dance fit the original arrangement as played by Chava Albertstein

Start part 1 with the "la la la las", do as written above.
Do Part 2 as written above
Do Part 3 as written above
Do Bridge as written above
Extra: Do two slow steps in LOD R (1,2), L (3,4)
Do Parts 2-3 and bridge as above, along with the extra steps, skipping part 1
Do Part 1, but do only bars 9-18.
Do Parts 2, 3, and bridge and extra step
Do Part 1
Add in an extra repeat of bar 17-18.

Couple Dance Version

Formation: Couples in a circle facing each other, men in the center. Holding both hands.
Introduction: Start with singing
Music: Note that this is done to a different arrangement of the music than the circle dance version.

Part 1

Bar 1: Starting with Inside foot (M's R W's L), Yemenite (Sway I in RLOD (1), Sway O in LOD (2), Cross I over O in LOD (3)). Tap O foot next to I (4)
Bar 2: Facing LOD and holding nearer hands, do a backwards yemenite with O foot (1,2,3), lift I foot up pivoting to face own O direction (4)
Bar 3: Do a Grapevine I, O, I, O to M's L and W's R
Bar 4: Do a 4 step turn. W turns CCW and M turns CW, back to partner.
Bars 5-8: repeat bars 1-4

Part 2

Bar 1: Take 4 walking steps forward in LOD, holding nearer hands with partner.
Bar 2: With M crossing behind partner and W crossing in front of M. Step on I to I (1,2), and Cross O over I (3,4)
Bar 3: Do a 3/4 turn in place with 4 steps (I, O, I, O). M turns CW. W turns CCW. End facing partner (at a distance)
Bar 4: Take 4 walking steps towards partner, extending M's L and W's R hand, W dances under M's R (i.e. a California Twirl), end by turning towards each other to face LOD again, taking M's R and W's L down.
Bars 5-8: repeat bars 1-4

Part 3

Bar 1: Moving forward in LOD, step I (1). Touch O next to I (2). Step forward O (3).Touch I next to I (4)
Bar 2: While still moving forward in LOD, make a complete turn, stepping I, O, I, O. Man turns CW, W turns CCW.
Bars 3-4: repeat bars 1-2

Part 4

Bar 1: Facing partner, take both hands, cross I over O (1) Step back in place on O (2). Step on I in RLOD (3), Cross O over I in RLOD (4)
Bar 2: Retaining both hands, M turns 1/4 to face LOD. W makes a 3/4 CW turn (to get there M raises his L, W's R in the air and lowers M's R, L's L, W turns under M's L arm. Use 4 steps (IOIO) to do this. End with M facing LOD, W facing RLOD. I hand is behind W's back. O hand is in held high above M's head.
Bar 3: M rocks forward in LOD on I foot, W rocks back on I foot (1), Rock in the other direction on O foot (2). Take two steps I (3), O (4) in RLOD -- M backs up, W dances forward.
Bar 4: M rocks back, W rocks forward on I (1), M rocks forward (2). Drop I hand and take two steps I (towards outside of circle) (3), O (towards inside of circle) (4), turning to face center of circle. Switch hands, so that M's R is in L's L.
Bar 5: Take 3 steps into the center (IOI)(1,2,3), turning towards each other to face out swing O foot around, switch hands.
Bar 6: Rock forward (away from center) on O (1), Rock back in place on I (2), Rock backwards (towards center) on O (3), Rock  forward in place on I (4)
Bars 7-8: repeat bars 5-6 with opposite footwork, except on the last two counts, the woman turns CCW under the M's R arm to end facing partner on the outside.

repeat dance from the beginning; the second time through the dance, you repeat Part 4 one extra time

Other videos on the web

The original couple dance:

Lyrics:

From http://shironet.mako.co.il/artist?type=lyrics&lang=1&wrkid=8322&prfid=383&song_title=d3ad7

הגן הבלעדי

from the youtube video
Veyom echad k'sheyitgaleh hapetach hasodi,
vadai nis'mach ve'az nivrach lagan habil'adi.
Vesham nichyeh, mah she'omrim 
shirim shel erev chag,
vehistoriah techayech vetenamnem batzad.

Mimabatcha hame'ohav tatzitz hasakranut,
veshuv ani emtza becah t'vunah vegam tmimut.
Ki beyadcha atah tach'bi mafte'ach lelibi,
ve'lo yihyeh ahuv mimcha bagan habil'adi.

Le'et arba'im netayel bagan habil'adi.
Chayot raot, meduka'ot, yochlu michaf yadi.
Uveyadcha atah tachbi mafte'ach lelibi,
ve'lo yiheyh ahuv mimcha bagan habil'adi.

And one day when the secret opening will be revealed
we'll surely rejoice and then run away to the exclusive garden.
And there we shal live, as they say -
songs of a festival eve,
and history will smile and doze off on the side.

From your loving smile the curiosity will bloom,
and again I'll find understanding and also simplicity.
Because in your hand, you hide the key to my heart,
and I'll have no lover other than you in the exclusive garden.

During dusk we'll hike in the exclusive garden.
Bad, depressed animals will eat from the palm of my hand.
And in your hand, you hide the key to my heart,
and I'll have no lover other than you in the exclusive garden.

Sheet Music

• http://www.folkloretanznoten.de/HaganHabilAdi.pdf

Also spelled: Habiladi