DER YIDDISH-VINKL March 14, 2003
The word “hamantashen,” which makes its distinguished appearance at Purim time, cannot be translated into English. The word refers to Haman, the evil pre-Hitler Hitler who wished to wipe out the Jews of ancient Persia. The word “tashn” means pockets. The combined word refers to a delicacy served at Purim in which dough is shaped as a sort of triangular “pocket” and filled, traditionally with prunes or poppy seeds. Symbolically, the eating of the hamantashen may be intended to tell the story of Jews devouring Haman, who wanted to devour the Jews.
The song “Hop Mayne Homentashn” is probably the most popular song associated with Purim. The English version is by Gus Tyler.
Hop Mayne Homentashn
Yakhne Dvozhe fort in shtot
Halt zikh in eyn pakn.
Zi darf oyf Purim koyfn mel
Homentashn bakn.
Refrain
Hop mayne homentashn
Hop mayne vayse
Hop mit mayne homentashn
Hot pasirt a mayse.
S’geyt a regn, s’geyt a shney
S’kapet fun di dekher,
Yakhne firt shoyn korn mel,
In a zak mit lekher.
(Refrain)
Yakhne trogt shoyn shalokh moness
Tsu der mume Yente
Tsvey dray shvartse homen-tashn
Halb roy, halb farbrente.
(Refrain)
Let’s Make Hamantashen
Now Yakhne Dvoshe goes to town
Her mind’s on what she’s making
For Purim she needs meal of corn
She needs it for her baking.
Refrain
Hey let’s make homentashn
Glistening white with glory
Hey, let’s make homentashn
That tell an ancient story.
It starts to rain, it starts to snow
The roofs are weepy, creaky
Yakhne totes her meal of corn
In a sack that’s leaky.
(Refrain)
Yakhne brings her Purim gift.
Unto her old aunt’s dwelling
Two-three blackened hamantashen
Enough to set you yelling.
(Refrain)
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