HaBanot Nechama: Contemporary Israeli Folk

I’ve been a sucker for folk music and harmonies since I was about 14, when I discovered The Weavers - especially their rousing versions of Tzena, Tzena, Tzena and Kisses Sweeter Than Wine (which I liked to sing in the shower). When I was 17, I graduated to Joni Mitchell‘s Blue, which is still my favourite folk album.

HaBanot Nechama

I don’t buy much folk music these days, although I still enjoy listening to my old standbys. But I was intrigued when a female group called HaBanot Nechama came out with a hit song that has been played waaaaay too many times on the radio lately, because folk is not such a big deal in the contemporary Israeli music scene.

HaBanot Nechama (Consolation Girls – sounds better in Hebrew, trust me) make lovely harmonies, and the mix of English and Hebrew is very unusual. Listen to So Far, which is in Hebrew with an English chorus, on their MySpace site. And let me know what you think…

I’ve translated the lyrics, but they sound hopelessly sticky-sweet in English. Not sure if I did a bad job with the translation, or I was just less aware of the Hebrew lyrics‘ stickiness because they rhyme, which disguises a multitude of sins.

So Far

Wondrous and descriptive, my life at every moment
Breathing into my soul
Declaring my thoughts

I harbor unlimited love,
I harbor unlimited love

For entire days I just don’t want to be
Like a gift, a gift that is predicated on love
Dark soul.
Give me yourself and not only if
Give love without jackals and without conditions

So far, you see the sky
You cry, you don’t know why
It’s joy, it’s happiness
The rainbow makes you feel high
So far, you see the sky

Maybe I’ll wear an incandescent gown
I’ll grow my heels I’ll widen my size
But even that won’t express me sufficiently
And if I leap to heights – beyond the horizon
Maybe that won’t make their hearts beat either
What else will I do?
To make my way succeed,
I have to work, to work, to lose, to forfeit
Will I crash and splinter into suppositions
Or continue to exist in this universe?
A long, exhausting and magical journey
And to where?

I don’t accept her
Maybe I spent too much time thinking
I should try my own way.
I forgot my talisman
I’m walking the face of the earth with no purpose, no purpose
I lack strength of will
Wasting my time on another morning coffee
Or on going to see a film
Fleeing fateful self love
Everything I request will be scattered to the winds
The deliverer is not delivering to this soul

For entire days I just don’t want to be
Like a gift, a gift that is predicated on love
Dark soul.
Give me yourself and not only if
Give love without jackals and without conditions

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This entry was written by Lisa Goldman and posted on January 8, 2008 at 1:22 am and filed under Uncategorized. Bookmark the permalink. Follow any comments here with the RSS feed for this post. Post a comment(Latest is displayed first) or leave a trackback: Trackback URL.

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15 Comments so far (Add 1 more)

Hey Lisa,
If you like these girls check out – http://www.alisonkrauss.com

1. Jonas
on January 8th, 2008 at 7:00 am
I think “Give love without jackals” will be my motto for 2008.

2. Udge
on January 8th, 2008 at 9:51 am
I saw them in concert a few months ago, and while I think they have a fun and fresh sound for the Israeli scene, their lyrics REALLY grated and interfered with the enjoyment of them and of the show… The English songs were all inexplicably stuck on the same theme of waking up and finding oneself and the Hebrew songs seemed, as you say, overly syrupy. They have some good harmonies, though: I’m sure the Indigo Girls are an influence…

(Late to the table- but GREAT Olive-picking post! Bang on the money.)

3. PP
on January 8th, 2008 at 4:22 pm
they played at my friends wedding in the desert over the summer.. was awesome.. agree on the maple flavour but they were great fun and very giving on stage.. there are many other local artists whose music i love much more that kill it for me with their stage-tude/turd..

4. lirun
on January 9th, 2008 at 2:25 pm
Never heard of them, but i totally dig. I will go and buy their CD today. Toda.

5. godlessjew
on January 10th, 2008 at 3:36 pm
Nice. +1 Joni Mitchell!

6. Semper gumby
on January 10th, 2008 at 5:18 pm
dig them, too. i think i heard them on radio tel aviv late one night – late in israel anyways – i can always tell when it’s nighttime there (I mean – obviously I can add hours to NY time but … ) the music definitely takes a turn after dark on that station. btw, any suggestions for listening online to a better station? we’re in the dark….

7. Blanche
on January 19th, 2008 at 1:11 am
Woaw, how do I get in contact with them? Do they have any contact possibility?

8. Andy
on January 30th, 2008 at 9:41 am
It’s not ‘love without jackals” it is love without “תן אם”- ten im, which means “give if” in other words, give me your love and without “if onlys”= unconditional.

9. Anonymous
on August 5th, 2008 at 12:32 pm
Hi Lisa!
Thanks for the translation! Just discovered the girls through a friend in Spain who insisted I’d listen… fell in love with 2 songs: I love you and So far, where So far has something so familiar and I cannot put my finger on it… some music from Cuba maybe, that reminds me of So Far? Don’t know. I’ll keep these girls on my radar.
Shalom.

10. Raphael J.
on January 6th, 2009 at 9:02 pm
Спасибо. thank you. I *ve found the lyrics for my girlfriend, she loves it.! Good Luck

11. petr
on June 29th, 2009 at 9:38 pm
Thank you, one of the best melodies I ever heared…my brother told me that music in Israel is very colorful…really true …

12. Ket
on February 19th, 2010 at 10:49 am
Thanks for sharing your opinion about this group, i’ve nearly thought nobody in the Web knows about them) i’ve a question and kind of a help request: do you know the lyrics of ‘So far’? i’m especially intrested in English transcription and Hebrew text, not speaking about my luck if you accidentaly have them transcripted in Russian) I would be very grateful if you could help me…

Jen

13. Jen
on April 19th, 2010 at 12:17 am
Im from Peru, i love your music. i would love to visit Israel and see a show of them… a dream!
kisses

14. Giuliana
on June 1st, 2010 at 4:27 am
As I also live in Israel, I’ve heard their song many times. You finally helped track it down. Toda Raba!
–Rachelle Aviv Goldberg

15. Rachelle
on September 19th, 2010 at 10:34 pm