"Di Shvue" (Yiddish: די שבֿועה, lit. 'The Oath'; also known as "Di Bundishe Shvue") was written by S. Ansky (pseudonym of Shloyme Zanvl Rappoport), in 1902. This Yiddish song became the anthem of the socialist General Jewish Labour Bund in the early 1900s.[1][2][3] The source of its melody is unknown.[4] Bundists sing this song virtually every time they meet.[5] For example, it was sung at the 100th anniversary (1998) of the General Jewish Labour Bund in Paris, Marek Edelman's funeral, and the 50th anniversary (2009) reunion of Camp Hemshekh. The song exhorts Jews to unite, and to commit themselves body and soul to the defeat of the Russian Tsar and of capitalism.[4]
Lyrics
Yiddish lyrics | Latin transliteration | IPA transcription | English translation |
---|---|---|---|
First verse | |||
|
Brider un shvester fun arbet un noyt |
Brothers and sisters in toil and struggle | |
Second verse | |||
|
Himl un erd veln undz oyshern |
Heaven and earth will hear us, | |
Third verse | |||
|
Mir shvern a trayhayt on grenetsn tsum bund. |
We swear an endless loyalty to the Bund. |