Laner v’livsamin is a 17th century piyyut (liturgical poem) written by the Yemenite poet Rabbi Sa’adia Gaon. The song became an Israeli classic with the melody of songwriter Avihu Medina. We hope you enjoy this duet sung by Cantor Azi Schwartz and award-winning singer and actress Galit Giat and accompanied by an ensemble led by Colin Fowler. The song will be featured on the album, 'Havdallah, live from Jersualem' which was recorded during the PAS Congregational trip to Israel in December and will be released in the fall.
לַנֵּר וְלִבְשָׂמִים נַפְשִׁי מְיַחֵלָה
אִם תִּתְּנוּ לִי כּוֹס יַיִן לְהַבְדָּלָה
'אִם תִּתְּנוּ לִ…
סֹלּוּ דְּרָכִים לִי פַּנּוּ לְנָבוֹכָה
פִּתְחוּ שְׁעָרִים לִי כָּל מַלְאֲכֵי מַעְלָה
אִם תִּתְּנוּ לִי…
עֵינַי אֲנִי אֶשָּׂא אֶל אֵל בְּלֵב כּוֹסֵף
מַמְצִיא צְרָכַי לִי בַּיּוֹם וּבַלַּיְלָה
אִם תִּתְּנוּ לִי…
La-ner V’livsamim nafshi m'yahelah
Im tit'nu li kos ya’yin l'havdalah.
Im tit'nu li kos shel ya’yin...
Solu d'rakhim li panu l'navukhah,
Pithu sh'arim li kol mal’achei malah.
Im tit'nu li kos shel ya’yin...
Einai ani esa el El b'lev kosef,
Mamtzi tzorkhai li ba-yom u-va-laylah.
Im tit'nu li kos shel ya’yin…
For the candle and the spices my soul yearns,
If you shall give me a cup of wine for Havdalah.
If you shall give me…
Pave the road for the bewildered man,
Heaven angels - open the gates for me.
If you shall give me…
I shall raise my eyes to God with yearning heart,
Who provides all my needs at day and at night.