SONGS TO MAKE YOUR HEART SING | TURN IT UP VOL. II feat. ROSS M. LEVY & THE LEVITES
THE BAND
Acoustic Guitars & Vocals: Ross M. Levy
Drums: Adam Guth & Josh Orlando
Bass Guitar: Chico Huff Electric Guitars: Ron Jennings & Adam Armijo
Flute: Marc Adler Horn Arrangements and Saxophones: Jay Davidson
Trumpets & Trombone: Steve Jankowski Violin: Sasha Margolis
Organ: Jeff Bichaylo Background Vocals: Aria & Kira Levy
Recorded & mixed at Melrose Park Studios, Elkins Park, PA
by Adam Guth & Ross M. Levy
Produced by Adam Guth & Ross M. Levy
This musical feast is shared with you thanks to the enthusiastic support of Jim and Mignon Groch. Bon appétit!
The Sounds
THE LYRICS
“Shofar Blast”
Words and music by Ellen Allard
I like to hear the shofar blast
Sometimes slow and sometimes fast!
I like to hear the shofar blast
Happy, happy happy new year!
1. T‘ki-ah——– (echo) (chorus)
2. Sh‘va-rim——– (echo) (chorus)
3. T‘ru-ah ah ah ah ah ah ah ah —- (echo)
4. T’ki-ah g‘dolah——– (chorus)
“Hapories Sukkat Shalom”
Words and music by Ross M. Levy
In this place of peace, in this place of love
the world’s in need of us and push has come to shove
as we fight for what’s to come!
When you’re home, you’ll know
Haporeis sukkat shalom *
and those stars, they glow
Aleinu v’al kol amo Yisrael
one love, one home
haporeis sukkat shalom
In this place of love, and in this place and time
the world is turning round, so let’s enjoy the ride
lets shine and share the light
* – shelter of peace
“The Shake”
Words and music by Ross M. Levy
Shake it to the East side
The wild, wild West
Shake it straight North bound
Shake it back to the South ground
Oh we shake it on up, just to shake it back down
We shake the lulav to show that God is all around!
Oooh, oooh, oooh, Ufaratzta* 2x
Yamah, v’keidmah, tzafona, v’neigbah**
* – spread it around
** – west, east, north, south
“Shine”
Words and music by Ross M. Levy
It’s the festival of lights tonight
as we commemorate the battle, those who fought for our lives
cause not by might, and not by power, but by spirit alone*
and the will to keep going and l’dor vador**
the miracle is still burning strong
and we’ve been told before…
don’t let the light go out!
Let your light shine bright, let your light shine bright
recall the miracle and celebrate tonight let your light shine bright
The miracles we face today are the dreams
of those before us from way back in the day
with just one voice we can move mountains
stand tall and be proud and let your inner light out
be sure they’re picking up exactly what you put down
and we’ve been told before…
don’t let the light go out!
Imagine how it had to be to live in 167 of the BCE
if they called on you tell me would you be ready
‘cause the time is right now and there’s no backing out
so be a Maccabee and sing with me and make Judah proud
and we will spread the word…
don’t let the light go out!
Kol echad, hu or katan vekulanu or eitan*^
* – Zekariah 4: Not by might, nor by power, but by My spirit, saith the LORD of hosts
**- from generation to generation
*^- Each person is a small light. But together we are a mighty light.
“Judah Maccabee”
Words and music by Ross M. Levy
I’m ready to march, I’m ready to fight,
I’m ready to shine and show my light
I’m ready to be, Judah Maccabee
I’m mighty and small but I stand tall, celebrate the miracle
I’m ready to be, Judah Maccabee
Listen to their story well
there’s a reason we retell their tale
when united we all stand,
that’s the moment that the hammer slams
We were down and we were out
and we need help to turn this thing around
We will soon taste victory,
come and join us be a Maccabee
“Honey, i’ts Tu B’Shevat”
Lyrics by Ross M. Levy & Morgan Naiberg
Come on, give me your hand
Celebrate the holiday and let’s go plant trees
I know the forest will grow
It’s been a long long year and the time is right
the seeds we’ve sown have reached new heights
(hold up, it’s) Cold outside, I will not lie
But Tu B’shevat is on my mind
I’m thinking about Birch, Maple, Oak, Hazel, let’s plant and show we’re grateful Tu B’shevat’s all-ready got all of my love
So come on, give me your hand
Celebrate the holiday and let’s go plant trees
I know the future is bright, so let’s all work to keep the earth alive
Oh listen, don’t wait
Honor all the arbors and celebrate seeds
go now, give what you’ve got, get to diggin Tu B’shevat!
Tikkun olam, is who we are, also called, Shomrei Adamah
(now check it out) birthday of the mighty tree
so grab your trowel, and dig with me
I’m dreaming of Ash, Cherry, Mulberry, the earth is extraordinary,
Tu B’shevat all-ready got all of my love
So come on, give me your hand
Celebrate the holiday and let’s go plant trees
I know the future is bright, so let’s all work to keep the earth alive
Oh listen, don’t wait
Honor all the arbors and celebrate seeds
go now, give what you’ve got, get to diggin Tu B’shevat!
Now the seven species are what we ought to eat
Olives and barley, figs and, don’t forget the wheat
Come on, give me your hand
Celebrate the holiday and let’s go plant trees
I know the future is bright, so let’s all work to keep the earth alive
Oh listen, don’t wait
Honor all the arbors and celebrate seeds
go now, give what you’ve got, get to diggin Tu B’shevat!
“Shomrei Adamah”
Words by Paul Suchow & Ross M. Levy
Music by Ross M. Levy
Chorus:
Shomrei Adamah, keepers of the earth that’s who we are
we try constantly to keep the world in harmony
Bal tashchit* we know
we reap what we sow through tikkun olam, we will stand as one
We know what we must do, to make these dreams come true
Remember every tree, started as a seed
Oh and I believe
that everyday presents an opportunity
put your hands in the air and pray and
every little thing is gonna be ok if we try,
tikkun olam b’Shem Adonai**
* – do not destroy
**- repair the world
“Chag Purim”
English lyrics and music by Ross M. Levy
hands up, make noise
get down, as we all rejoice
one time, get loud
dance free, what it’s all about
Chag Purim, chag gadol layehudim
Masaychot, ra’ahshanim, shirim, rikudim
Hava, hava narisha
hava narisha rahsh, rahsh, rahsh
Ba ra-ah-shanim*
One tale, one voice
one girl made a brave choice
They tried, no chance
we’re free, as we sing and dance
It wasn’t so long ago, we had to keep our heads down and just lay low
and over time we had to fight the good fight, but we keeping it real and staying alive
* – Purim time, a big festival for the Jewish people. Masks, noisemakers, songs and dances.
Wind your noisemakers – it sounds like “rash rash rash”
“Utzu Eitzah”
Words and music by Ross M. Levy
Utzu etza vetufar;
Dabru dabru, davar
velo yakum, Ki imanu Eil, Eil, Eil!
Devise and scheme, and plot your plan
Take it from me, you’ve got no chance
We’ve got love on our side
- – They have devised schemes but they have been foiled, they have made declarations [against us], but they will not be fulfilled , because Love is with us!
“Avadim Hayinu”
Words and music by Ross M. Levy
Avadim hayinu, slaves soon to be free
Avadim hayinu roamed the sand and crossed the sea
Ata benei chorin
We’ve done our time we’re ready for freedom
we do deserve the promised land
and on our way we’ll sing together
a song of freedom written in the sand
Avadim hayinu, scent of freedom in the air
Avadim hayinu, Adonai has heard our prayer
Mi chamocha ba’eilim Adonai
mi chamocha nedar bakodesh
- We were once slaves in Egypt, now we are free!
“The Call”
Words and music by Ross M. Levy
The world is changing all the time
to make a difference we can not just read the headlines
and if we’ve heard it once it’s been a million times
everyday begins the first day of your life
This is the call to action
take a stand and soon you’ll feel a chain reaction
the time is now to start to help re-build the nation
so give your all consider this your invitation
to make the world a better place for all
To take the first step can be tough
but I feel the time has come to finally say enough’s enough
and if tomorrow it was you who had it rough
who would turn to you and hold your hand with love
I know where the answer lies
I’ve seen the mirror from the other side
and I believe with all my soul and all my might
that the light again will shine- let it shine!
“Hatov Shimcha”
Words and music by Ross M. Levy
Hatov shimcha ul’cha na’eh l’hodot
thank you for the things you grant each day
Hatov shimcha ul’cha na’eh l’hodot
stand up tall, lift your hands and say, right on! Amen!
Wake up before the sunrise
bask in the glow of the morning sky and
thank God for strength and love in your life
Act now the timing is just right
move to the music of the great outside
Baruch Ata Adonai*
And we behold, the beauty of the story and the way that it’s told
and we received, the gift of life
And I believe the wonders of the universe belong to me
and I can see, the future’s bright!
- Baruch Atah Adonai hatov shimcha ul’cha na’eh l’hodot – Holy One of Blessing, Source of goodness, it is pleasing to give thanks to You.