Chanukah Oh Chanukah

The eight-day celebration of the festival Hanukkah commemorates the victory and success of the Maccabees, against the tyranny and dictatorship of Antiochus IV Epiphanes, and the subsequent miraculous burning of the wicks of the 'Menorah' for eight days in the Holy Temple at Jerusalem. Rituals and customs play an important role in the celebration of the festival. Apart from this, the singing of the customary Hanukkah songs is regarded as very vital. Families and friends get together and try to get into the true mood of the season by singing these songs. One popular song that is sung on the occasion is 'Chanukah Oh Chanukah'. This song sends a very jolly note and gives a clear picture of a typical Hanukkah celebration. The flow of the song is very lucid and very simple words are incorporated while writing the song, which makes it understandable even to small children. The way in which the writer has merged the past with present celebrations is really remarkable. The entire song is basically a description of the celebrations during the occasion. In the first stanza, the lyricist mentions about the festive gatherings, parties, decorations and scrumptious treats. There is mention of the traditional latkes as well, which is a shallow fried pancake consisting of grated potatoes, eggs and even onions. The second paragraph is mainly a description of the lighting of the holy candelabrum which is the nine branched Menorah or Hanukiah. Read on to check out the lyrics of the song.

Chanukah Oh Chanukah Song

Chanukah, Oh Chanukah, come light the Menorah
Let's have a party; we'll all dance the hora
Gather round the table, we'll all have a treat
Sivivon to play with, and latkes to eat.

And while we are playing
The candles are burning bright
One for each night, they shed a sweet light
To remind us of days long ago.
One for each night, they shed a sweet light
To remind us of days long ago.