Prayer
by Itzik Manger
I will take off my shoes and my sorrow
and will return to you in my plight
now that I know I’m a loser –
I will stand before you in your sight.
My God, my Lord and Creator
purify me in your light
Here I lie on a cloud before you
Rock me and lull me to sleep.
And speak to me words of kindness
and tell me that I am your child
and kiss away from my forehead
all the signs of my sins.
I have faithfully carried the message
of your sacred songs throughout time
so is it my fault that in Yiddish
Song and Jew happen to rhyme?
And is it a fault I must own
that beauty rhymes with tears
and that longing with sorrowful wings
and wanders alone with her pain.
So is it my fault you’ve allowed me,
to be downhearted and tired so long
and to come before you to lay at your feet
this very dispirited song.
My God, my Lord and Creator
purify me in your light
Here I lie on a cloud before you
Rock me and lull me to sleep.