This season of Coronavirus isolation and trepidation has paradoxically “flowered” with beautiful expressions of unity and hope in “crowd-sourced” songs around the world.

The following Israeli song “Tribe of Brothers and Sisters” is part of that trend. This unique, emotional Hebrew project was produced at the initiative of Israel’s Army Radio. It featured 34 well-known Israeli singers, from different areas of the country and different styles of music. The response speaks for itself. Even in the small market space of Hebrew music, the video clip has gained over 35 million views on YouTube!

The song contains references to well-known texts in Hebrew poetry. “At what has been and what’s become… And how my soul still yearns (homia)” is a reference to the national anthem of the State of Israel Hatikva. “Man is the imprint of his native land; Carving lines in the palm of his hand” is a reference to the text of famed poet Shaul Tchernichovsky.

The song consists of “vocal selfies” by the participating singers. Each artist chose the location where he/she was filmed. At the end of the clip, President Ruby Rivlin exudes his warm, grandfatherly love, quoting the chorus.

The profits from the song will be donated to the Sachi program – a unique charity empowering at-risk youth.

These days, when there is a harsh feeling of division among the people of Israel, and when economic hardship and uncertainty loom large, I found it fitting to share a song whose whole essence is…

Unity

Translation of “Tribe of Brothers and Sisters” (https://lyricstranslate.com)

Seventy years on the road
I’m traveling and gazing
At what has been and what’s become
And how my soul still yearns.

From Masada of the sunrise
And Jerusalem of our prayers
From the beaches of the Sea of Galilee and Akhziv
From the parties of Tel Aviv

My father prayed and dreamed
Of living in the land of Israel
Now my child asks me
What’s the story of Israel?

Chorus:
Here is home, here’s the heart
And from you I’ll not depart
Our forefathers are our roots,
And we are the flowers, the tunes –
A tribe of brothers and sisters.

The same town, the same street
Twelve sons of Jacob
Collecting our travels
In a backpack of memories.

Man is the imprint of his native land
Carving lines in the palm of his hand
Between the prayers and vows
The scents of citrus groves.

And in my mother’s eyes
I’ll always find a place inside
While on the guitar I play
An ancient tune which shows the way.

Chorus:
Here is home, here’s the heart
And from you I’ll not depart
Our forefathers are our roots,
And we are the flowers, the tunes
A tribe of brothers and sisters

Since Genesis it’s all been woven together,
Patches, patches of the story
Like two words – to connect
With a poet’s golden thread.

I’m from here, I belong
And every friend is my brother
You are the one who in my heart beats
I’m the west and the east.

Chorus:
Here is home, here’s the heart
And from you I’ll not depart
Our forefathers are our roots,
And we are the flowers, the tunes
A tribe of brothers and sisters.

Here is home, here’s the heart
And from you I’ll not depart
Our forefathers are our roots,
And we are the flowers, the tunes.