Shteyt a bokher, un er trakht,
trakht un trakht a gantse nakht,
vemen tsu nemen un nit farshemen,
vemen tsu nemen un nit farshemen.
Tum-bala, tum-bala, tum-balalaike,
tum-bala, tum-bala, tum-balala,
tum-balalaike, shpil balalaike,
tum-balalaike, freylekh zol zain!
«Meydl, meydl, kh’vil bai dir fregn:
Vos ken vaksn, vaksn on regn?
Vos ken brenen un nit oifhern?
Vos ken benken, veynen on trern?»
Tum-bala…
«Narisher bokher, vos darfs tu fregn?
A shteyn ken vaksn, vaksn on regn!
Libe ken brenen un nit oifhern!
A harts ken benken, veynen on trern!»
Tum-bala…