By:Marcia Abramson
It was just about a year ago that I wrote a column about my participation at a Seder on the
first night of Passover in Shanghai. I was asked why I would choose to go to China for a Seder when I could be here with my family. However, this was a challenge I could not resist.
Uniworld Tours and Victoria Cruises arranged for 11 cruise passengers to attend the Seder at the Ritz Carlton Hotel presented by Rabbi Shalom Greenberg with an assist from his wife, Dina, for about 90 members of his Orthodox shul. Rabbi Greenberg is an active member of Chabad and made certain that the hotel staff carried out all the rules for a strict observance of Passover. His congregation
consists of Caucasian people with nary an Asian member, nor were there any Orientals at the Seder aside from Ritz Carlton personnel. I have spent many a Passover at Grossinger's in the Catskills with my family, but never did I celebrate this joyous holiday with the singing of delightful songs: "The Ballad of the Four Sons" to the tune of "Clementine"; "Take Us Out of Egypt," to the music of "Take Me Out to the Ball Game"; and "Just a Tad of Charoset" to the tune of "Just a Spoon Full of Sugar."
I have received many requests for the words to the songs, and I am happy to share them with you. They are as follows:
The BALLAD OF THE FOUR SONS (to the tune of Clementine)
Said, the father to his children, "At the Seder you will dine, you will eat your fill of matzoh, you will drink four cups of wine." Now this father had no daughters, But his sons they numbered four, One was wise and one was wicked, One was simple and a bore.
And the Fourth was sweet and winsome, he was young and he was small. While his brothers asked the questions, he could scarcely speak at all. Said the wise one to his father, "Would you please explain the laws? Of the customs of the Seder, will you explain the cause?" And the father ate in speed, Ate the paschal lamb 'ere midnight and from slavery we were freed."
So we follow their example and 'ere midnight, we must complete all the Seder and we should not after 12 remain to eat. Then did sneer the son so wicked "What does all this mean to you?" And the father's voice was bitter as his grief and anger grew, you yourself don't consider as son of Israel, then for you this has no meaning, you could be a slave as well.
Then the simple son said simply "What is this?" and quietly the good father told his offspring, "We were freed from slavery." But the youngest son was silent, for he could not ask at all. His bright eyes were bright with wonder. And his father told him all, "My dear children heed the lesson and remember evermore what the father told his children told his sons that numbered four."
TAKE US OUT OF EGYPT (to the tune of "Take Me Out To the Ball Game")
Take us out of Egypt, Free us from slavery. Bake us some matzoh in haste. Don't worry 'bout flavor -- give no thought to taste. Oh, it's rush, rush, rush, to the Red Sea. If we don't cross it's a shame, for its ten plagues, down and you're out at the pesach history game.
JUST A TAD OF CHAROSET (To the tune of "Just a Spoonful of Sugar")
(Chorus) Just a tad of charoset helps the bitter herbs go down, the bitter herbs do down, the bitter herbs
go down. Just a tad of charoset helps the bitter herbs go down in the most disguising way.
Oh, back in Egypt long ago, the Jews were slaves under Pharaoh. They sweat and toiled and labored through the day. So when we gather pesach night, we do what we think right. Maror (bitter herbs) we chew to feel what they went through. Their suffering was the only life they knew. But baby Moses grew up tall, and said he'd save them all. He did, and yet, we swear we won't forget, that.
(Chorus)While the maror is being passed, we all refill our water glass, preparing for the taste that turns us red. Although maror seems full of minuses, it sure does clear our sinuses. But what's to do? It's hard to be a Jew!!!
A joyous Passover and a Happy Easter to all. Next week back to blissful Maui.
Copyright by Marcia Abramsom
e-mail: mascribe@aol.com
