LYRIC
AL HATZADDIKIM- Avraham Fried- Composed by Abie Rotenberg- Journeys 5
VERSE 1:
The war had seemed so endless, yet somehow they survived
Free at last but spiritless and frail,
When a Rebbe showed them love and they began to mend
But that’s just one part of this precious little tale.
It was to be the first Pesach after years devoid of light
When the Rebbe of Skulen stood with his son,
And they announced there will be matzos for the seder night
But enough, to only give each person one.
CHORUS:
Al Hatzaddikim, the righteous and devout
With love in their hearts they lift us up when we stumble and fall,
V’al Hachasidim, the saintly and the pure
Only Hashem knows the burden, the burden they bear for us all.
VERSE 2:
With two large sacks of flour, a small oven made of brick
The rebbe baked as tears streamed from his eyes,
Measured oh so carefully, neither thin nor thick
Each round matzah a kezayis in size.
Along with the aroma that drifted through the air
One could sense that hope and healing had begun,
Again, the Rebbe sent out word, yiddelach, be fair
Please, come and take, but take no more than one.
CHORUS:
Al Hatzaddikim, the righteous and devout
With love in their hearts they lift us up when we stumble and fall,
V’al Hachasidim, the saintly and the pure
Only Hashem knows the burden, the burden they bear for us all.
VERSE 3:
The line may have been long, but it never stopped or stalled
A tapestry of Jews from far and near,
But suddenly, one young man brought it to a crawl
When he bent down and whispered in the Rebbe’s ear.
I beg of you, dear Rebbe, who is our last resort
Though a single matza will suffice for me,
My father is an admor, and Vizhnitz is his court
And as such, he must be given three.
INSTRUMENTAL
VERSE 4:
A deep and aching sadness gripped the Rebbe’s soul
As he wondered to himself, can it be true,
After all our pain and sorrow, could one yet be so bold
And deem himself to be a better Jew?
But then he thought, who am I to judge what’s right or best
Only G-d in heaven knows for sure,
He’s a great and pious Rebbe, I will comply with his request
And discreetly, he gave the young man four.
CHORUS:
Al Hatzaddikim, the righteous and devout
With love in their hearts they lift us up when we stumble and fall,
V’al Hachasidim, the saintly and the pure
Only Hashem knows the burden, the burden they bear for us all.
VERSE 5:
Shortly before yom tov the admor’s son returned
And said, may I ask the Rebbe, and his son as well,
Was my holy father, was he right to be concerned
That you would keep no matzos for yourselves?
Yes, indeed, they answered, we gave them all away
With Jews in need, what else was there to do?
The admor’s son replied, that’s what my father thought you’d say
So I brought back the two matzos… he took for you.
CHORUS:
Al Hatzaddikim, the righteous and devout
With love in their hearts they lift us up when we stumble and fall,
V’al Hachasidim, the saintly and the pure
Only Hashem knows the burden, the burden they bear for us all.