Olf,Mark Jewish Folksongs, Vol. 1 CD

Mark Olf (1905-1987) was a composer and singer of Yiddish and Hebrew songs. He emigrated from Russia to the U.S. with his family when he was in his early teens; he later recorded some of the songs he had heard as a child, toured the country performing, and taught music at the Henry Street Settlement on the Lower East Side, Queens College (CUNY), and the University of Rhode Island. On this recording-one of four he made for Folkways Records-he sings well-known Yiddish folk songs, accompanying himself on guitar. Yiddish, which incorporates German, Hebrew, and Slavic elements, was the primary secular language of the Jews in Eastern Europe. Liner notes provide English translations and the original Yiddish texts.

1. In An Orem Shtibele (In a Poor Little House) 2. Hob Ich a Por Oksen (I Have a Pair of Oxen) 3. Bulbe (Potatoes) 4. Der Rebbe Elimelech (The Rabbi Elimelech) 5. Oif'n Pripitchik (On the Oven) 6. Rozhenkes Mit Mandlen (Raisins and Almonds) 7. Dona Dona 8. Vei Vos Fun Main Mantle Iz Gevoren (Alas What Has Become of My Coat) 9. A Ganeyveh (A Robbery) 10. Mariyashe 11. Zlatke 12. Tumba Tumba