A modern rendition of ancient poetry

Watch on YouTube

This is an interpretation by the band Light in Babylon of a poem by the Hebrew Neoplatonic philosopher and poet Solomon Ibn Gabirol (c. 1022 to 1058-70) who lived and worked in Spain and contributed to the intellectual culture of Saragossa.

Lyrics (Hebrew transliteration below)

Kipur (At the dawn)
At the dawn I seek Thee,
Rock and refuge tried,
In due service speak Thee
Morn and eventide.

‘Neath Thy greatness shrinking,
Stand I sore afraid,
All my secret thinking
Bare before Thee laid.

Little to Thy glory
Heart or tongue can do;
Small remains the story,
Add we spirit too.

Yet since man’s praise ringing
May seem good to Thee,
I will praise Thee singing
While Thy breath’s in me.

Kipur (Shachar avakeshcha)
Shachar avakeshcha
Tzuri umisgavi
Eeruch lefanecha
Shechari ve gam arbi

Lifenei gedulatecha
Eemod ve ebahel
Ki eneicha tire
Kol machshevot libi

Ma ze asher yuchal
Halev ve halashon
Laasot uma koach
Ruche betoch kirbi

Hine lecha titav
Zimrat enosh al ken
Odcha beod thiye
Nishmat eloha bi