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Chanukah Carols

Chanukah
To the tune of "Jamaica Farewell"
By Judy Git

One winter night, as the lights shine bright
On the Christmas trees in our neighborhood.
Mr. Cohen strings his own, so he's not alone
And he's proud for he thinks it's very good.

But, I'm sad to say, that's not the way
To observe this Jewish holiday.
My heart is down, I think I'll look around
To see if I can find a more Jewish town.

Across the way, where the kiddies play
If you listen hard, you can hear them say,
"Christmas, Chanukah - the same,
That when you receive a Nintendo game."

But, I'm sad to say, that's not the way
To observe this Jewish holiday.
My heart is down, I think I'll look around
To see if I can find a more Jewish town.

What's this I see? A small family
Lighting candles very humbly.
That's it, for sure! For the "Ma'oz Tzur"
I can hear as they sing happily.

Now I'm glad to say, even here, today,
There are those who light, and those who pray,
Those who watch the dreidle spinning down.
I think that I have found my Jewish town!



Have Yourself a Happy Little Hanukkah
(To the tune of "Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas")
By Megan Anderson

Have yourself a happy little Hanukkah,
Dance around the "Hanukkah bush,"
Help your mom make the good potato latkas,
Or (no offense) you might be eating schmutz.

Spin your dreidles over and over,
Then get your family and play,
And when your grandma isn't looking,
Take all her gelt away!

Sit and listen to stories about the olden days,
When those Maccabees were around,
Make sure you don't fall asleep in boredom,
Or you wont get the hidden gifts you've already found.

Then it's time to open the presents,
Open the big one first,
But don't be mad when it's a big dumb winter coat...........
Just smile and later throw it off a boat!!!!!!



The Eight Expensive Nights of Chanukah
(To the tune of "The 12 Days of Christmas")
By Phyllis and Jennifer Simon

On the first night of Chanukah
My true love gave to me
A lucite gold-trimmed me-no-o-rah

On the second night of Chanukah
My true love gave to me
Two tennis bracelets and
A lucite gold-trimmed me-no-o-rah

On the third night of Chanukah
My true love gave to me
Three Chinese take-outs
Two tennis bracelets and
A lucite gold-trimmed me-no-o-rah

On the fourth night of Chanukah
My true love gave to me
Four like butter leathers
Three Chinese take-outs
Two tennis bracelets and
A lucite gold-trimmed me-no-o-rah

On the fifth night of Chanukah
My true love gave to me
Five diamond rings
Four like butter leathers
Three Chinese take-outs
Two tennis bracelets and
A lucite gold-trimmed me-no-o-rah

On the sixth night of Chanukah
My true love gave to me
Six Fendi wallets
Five diamond rings
Four like butter leathers
Three Chinese take-outs
Two tennis bracelets and
A lucite gold-trimmed me-no-o-rah

On the seventh night of Chanukah
My true love gave to me
Seven maids a-waiting
Six Fendi wallets
Five diamond rings
Four like butter leathers
Three Chinese take-outs
Two tennis bracelets and
A lucite gold-trimmed me-no-o-rah

On the eighth night of Chanukah
My true love gave to me
Eight designer dresses
Seven maids a-waiting
Six Fendi wallets
Five diamond rings
Four like butter leathers
Three Chinese take-outs
Two tennis bracelets and
A lucite gold-trimmed me-no-o-rah



Cat's Dreidel
Authorship unknown 

You have a little dreidle with which I'd like to play
The minute you're not looking, I'll spirit it away

Oh dreidle, dreidle, dreidle, with which I'd like to play
Oh dreidle, dreidle, dreidle, I'll spirit it away

I have a lovely body, with legs so long and thin
My paw can fling that dreidle, and hit you in the shin

Oh dreidle, dreidle, dreidle, my legs so long and thin
Oh dreidle, dreidle, dreidle, I'll scratch you on the chin

I don't care what it stops on, nun gimel hey or shin
I make up my own rules, so whichever one, I win

Oh dreidle, dreidle, dreidle, nun gimel hey or shin
Oh dreidle, dreidle, dreidle, whichever one, I win!



On the First Day of Hanukkah...
(sung to the tune of 12 days of Christmas)
By Stacy and Cheri Feldman

On the first day of Hanukkah, my true love gave to me
a whole bunch of la-a-a-a-tkes.

On the second day of Hanukkah, my true love gave to me,
2 pretty presents
and a whole bunch of la-a-a-a-tkes.

On the third day of Hanukkah, my true love gave to me,
3 Kosher hot dogs,
2 pretty presents,
and a whole bunch of la-a-a-a-tkes.

On the fourth day of Hanukkah, my true love gave to me,
4 nice prayer books,
3 Kosher hot dogs,
2 pretty presents,
and a whole bunch of la-a-a-a-tkes.

On the fifth day of Hanukkah, my true love gave to me,
5 gold menorahs!
4 nice prayer books,
3 Kosher hot dogs,
2 pretty presents,
and a whole bunch of la-a-a-a-tkes.

On the sixth day of Hanukkah, my true love gave to me,
6 pieces of gelt
5 gold menorahs!
4 nice prayer books,
3 Kosher hot dogs,
2 pretty presents,
and a whole bunch of la-a-a-a-tkes.

On the seventh day of Hanukkah, my true love gave to me,
7 blessed rabbis,
6 pieces of gelt
5 gold menorahs!
4 nice prayer books,
3 Kosher hot dogs,
2 pretty presents,
and a whole bunch of la-a-a-a-tkes.

On the eighth day of Hanukkah, my true love gave to me,
8 colored candles,
7 blessed rabbis,
6 pieces of gelt
5 gold menorahs!
4 nice prayer books,
3 Kosher hot dogs,
2 pretty presents,
and a whole bunch of la-a-a-a-tkes.



Maccabees are Coming to Town
(To the tune of Santa Claus is Coming...)
By Eric Schrager

They're grinding their swords
Sharp as a pin
A guerilla war
They're going to win
Maccabees are coming to town

You'd best be a Jew
Or suffer your fate
It does you no good
To assimilate
Maccabees are coming to town

They know if you're Assyrian
They know if you dig Greeks
They see you on the temple mount
Consorting with Hellenistic freaks

You'd best be a Jew
Or suffer your fate
One day's worth of oil
Is gonna last eight
Maccabees are coming to town



Dreidel Upright
(To the tune of Silent Night)
By Eric Schrager

Dreidel of clay
ready to play
made to twirl
yearns to whirl
Virgin Dreidel has never been spun
Dreams of gelt that has yet to be won
spun by hands so greasy
damn latkes make everything greasy



Eight Days of Fire
(To the tune of Jerry Lee Lewis' 
"Great Balls of Fire")
By Josh Males

They beat the Greeks
and they chased them away.
Their flask of oil
would burn just one day.
They lit the wick -
Oh, what a trick!
Ribono Shel Olam, Eight days of Fire!

They cleaned the temple
an' they made it look nice.
Brought a couple cows
for a sacrifice.
Those Maccabees -
Threw out the sleaze.
Ribono Shel Olam, Eight days of Fire!

CHORUS

Light those candles, oooh...
from left to right
Place that Menorah
over by the window in plain sight
Those lights
So bright
Add another candle every night,night,night,night

We open up the presents
as we sing "Maoz Tzur".
You hope it ain't clothes
but you can never be sure.
Instead of "Gelt",
You got a belt!
Ribono Shel Olam, Eight days of Fire!

CHORUS

We spin the "dreidel"
an' we don't go to school.
We chant the "Hallel"
every morning in "Shul".
Dressed in "Gatkes",
We scarf down "latkes"
Ribono Shel Olam, Eight days of Fire!



Hannukah in Santa Monica
Words and Music by Tom Lehrer 1990

I'm spending Hannukah in Santa Monica
Wearing Sandles, lighting candles by the sea
I spent Shavuos in East Saint Louis
A charming spot but clearly not the spot for me...

Those eastern winters, I can't endure 'em
So every year I pack my gear and come out here til Purim
Rosh Hashona I spend in Arizona
And Yom Kippah way down in Mississippah

But in December there's just one place for me
Mid the California flora I'll be lighting my menorah
Like a baby in its cradle I'll be playing with my draydel
Here's to Judas Maccabeus, Boy if he could only see us
Spending Hannukah, in Santa Monica, By the Sea!



Hanukkah Harry's Coming to Town
By Phyllis M. LaVietes
(to the tune of Santa Claus is Coming to Town)

You better watch out, you better not kvetch,
Because if you do, you're gonna get petch -
Hanukkah Harry's coming to town.

He's making a list, achat shtayim,
Of who will end up in Yerushalayim -
Hanukkah Harry's coming to town.

He sees you when you say Shema
And when you start your day,
He knows if you've been bad or good
So be good, or else Oy Vey!

You better watch out, you better not kvetch,
Because if you do, you're gonna get petch -
Hanukkah Harry's coming to town.



Herman the Hanukkah Candle
unknown author
(to the tune of Rudolph the red-nosed reindeer)

Herman the Hanukkah Candle
Had a very Shiny Light
And if you ever saw it
You would even say it was bright

All of the other candles
Used to laugh and call him names
They never let poor Herman
Join in any Hanukkah Games

Then one foggy Hannukah eve
The Rabbi came to say
"Herman with your Light so bright
Won't you lead our service tonight"

Then all the candles loved him
As they shouted out with Glee
Herman the Hanukkah candle
You'll go down in History!



The Solstihanukkamas Song
(To the tune of "The Toreador Song" from Carmen))
By Jim Rebhan

Gleaming menorahs on the Christmas trees.
Tales of three wise men and Maccabees.
La--tkes on a fruitcake, hot and fresh.
Dreidels placed by the creche.
Christmas and Hanukkah
Can be abused
If you get both confused.



The Eight Days of Hanukkah
(To the tune of Twelve Days of Christmas)
By Joel Simon

On the first night of Hanukkah my true love gave to me
Lox, bagels and some cream cheese

On the second night of Hanukkah, my true love gave to me
2 Kosher pickles and
Lox, bagels and some cream cheese

On the third night of Hanukkah, my true love gave to me
3 pounds of corned beef
2 Kosher pickles and
Lox, bagels and some cream cheese

On the fourth night of Hanukkah, my true love gave to me
4 potato latkes
3 pounds of corned beef
2 Kosher pickles and
Lox, bagels and some cream cheese

On the fifth night of Hanukkah, my true love gave to me
5 bowls of chicken soup
4 potato latkes
3 pounds of corned beef
2 Kosher pickles and
Lox, bagels and some cream cheese

On the sixth night of Hanukkah, my true love gave to me
6 pickled herrings
5 bowls of chicken soup
4 potato latkes
3 pounds of corned beef
2 Kosher pickles and
Lox, bagels and some cream cheese

On the seventh night of Hanukkah, my true love gave to me
7 noodle kugels
6 pickled herrings
5 bowls of chicken soup
4 potato latkes
3 pounds of corned beef
2 Kosher pickles and
Lox, bagels and some cream cheese

On the eighth night of Hanukkah, my true love gave to me
8 Alka- Seltzer
7 noodle kugels
6 pickled herrings
5 bowls of chicken soup
4 potato latkes
3 pounds of corned beef
2 Kosher pickles and
Lox, bagels and some cream cheese



Yingelehs, Maidelehs
(to the tune of Jingle Bells)
By Phyllis M. LaVietes

Yingelehs, maidelehs, it is Chanukah,
Oh what fun it is to light the 8-branched menorah!
Yingelehs, maidelehs, dreidel we shall play,
Oh what fun - where will it land? On Nun? Shin? Gimmel? Hay?

Taste those latkes hot, delicious as a dream,
Great with applesauce or even sour cream!
Pure oil there was enough for only one short night,
But instead for 8 full days it lasted and burned bright!
So...

Yingelehs, maidelehs, it is Chanukah,
Oh what fun it is to light the 8-branched menorah!
Yingelehs, maidelehs, dreidel we shall play,
Oh what fun - where will it land? On Nun? Shin? Gimmel? Hay?



The Maccabee Song
(to the tune of Mickey Mouse Club)
By Mark Frydenberg

Who's the leader of the Jews,
Brave Judah Maccabee.
M A C - C A B - E E Maccabee.
Maccabee, Maccabee,
Menorahs shine as far as I can see
We celebrate the miracle,
Oh Lord, Our thanks to Thee
M A C - C A B- E E Maccabee.



Children's Hanukkah Candle Lighting Song
(to the tune of Rock of Ages)
by Malvine P. Hoenig

Let's be happy, let us cheer,
Hanukkah again is here.
All the lights are shining bright,
Isn't it a lovely sight?

You know these lights remind us
Of the time long, long ago,
When God caused one,
tiny light,
for eight long days to shine so bright.



I'm Dreaming of a Bright Menorah
(to the tune of "White Christmas")
Hilary Ostrov

I'm dreaming of a bright menorah
With nine small candles all a-glow
With the flames all flick'ring
And bright wax dripping
And dreidels lined up in a row

I'm dreaming of a bright Chanukah
With every e-mail that I write
For a year that's peaceful
And virtually easeful
And lots of surfing yiddishkeit

I'm dreaming of a bright menorah
So I can watch the candles flame
And the children vying
For latkes frying
While they play that merry dreidel game.



The Hannukah Song 
by Adam Sandler

Chorus: Put on your yamica
Here comes Hannukah
So much funnukah
To celebrate Hannukah

Hannukah is: the festival of lights
Instead of one day of presents
We have eight crazy nights

When you feel like/the only kid in town
Without a Christmas tree
Here's a list of people that are
Jewish like you and me:

David Lee Roth lights the menorah
So do James Douglas, James Caan and Dinah Shorah
Guess who eats together at the Carnegie Deli?
Boscoe from Sha-Na-Na
and Arthur Fonzarelli!

Paul Newman's half Jewish
and Goldie Hawn's half, too
Put them together,
What a fine looking Jew!

You don't need to Deck the Halls
Or Jingle Bell Rock,
'Cause you can spin the dreidel
With Captain Kirk and Mr. Spock!

[Chorus]

O.J. Simpson, not a Jew
But guess who is? Rod Carew [He converted]
We got Ann Landers
and her sister Dear Abby,
Harrison Ford's a quarter Jewish
Not too shabby

Some people think Ebenezer Scrooge is
Well, he's not, but guess who is --
All three Stooges!

[Chorus]



The 8 Nights of Chanukah

On the first night of Chanukah, my Jewish mother said,
"You'd better lose some weight or you'll be dead."

On the second night of Chanukah, my mother said to me,
"Have a few more latkes, but
you'd better lose some weight or you'll be dead."

On the third night of Chanukah, my mother said to me,
"Here's your chocolate dreidel,
have a few more latkes, but
you'd better lose some weight or you'll be dead."

On the fourth night of Chanukah, my mother said to me,
"Taste my sugar cookies,
here's your chocolate dreidel,
have a few more latkes, but
you'd better lose some weight or you'll be dead."

On the fifth night of Chanukah, my mother said to me,
"YOU'RE GETTING FAT!
taste my sugar cookies,
here's your chocolate dreidel,
have a few more latkes, but
you'd better lose some weight or you'll be dead."

On the sixth night of Chanukah, my mother said to me,
"Don't you like the doughnuts?
YOU'RE GETTING FAT!
taste my sugar cookies,
here's your chocolate dreidel,
have a few more latkes, but
you'd better lose some weight or you'll be dead."

On the seventh night of Chanukah, my mother said to me,
"Take another brownie,
don't you like the doughnuts?
YOU'RE GETTING FAT!
taste my sugar cookies,
here's your chocolate dreidel,
have a few more latkes, but
you'd better lose some weight or you'll be dead."

On the eighth night of Chanukah, my mother said to me,
"Try my home-made strudel,
take another brownie,
don't you like the doughnuts?
YOU'RE GETTING FAT!
taste my sugar cookies,
here's your chocolate dreidel,
have a few more latkes, but
you'd better lose some weight or you'll be dead."