hilaThis moving video features popular Israeli artist Gad Elbaz singing “Boi Kallah”, a classic Hebrew wedding song, to the tune of Leonard Cohen’s “Hallelujah.” Often sung as the bride approaches the chuppah and circles the groom (as seen in this video), the Hebrew, English and transliterated lyrics from the Kabbalistic Kabbalat Shabbat song, “Lecha Dodi,” can be seen below. This rendition is accompanied by the Nafshenu Orchestra.
בּֽוֹאִי כַלָּה
בּֽוֹאִי בְשָׁלוֹם עֲטֶרֶת בַּעְלָהּ.
גַּם בְּשִׂמְחָה וּבְצָהֳלָה
תּוֹךְ אֱמוּנֵי עַם סְגֻּלָּה.
בּֽוֹאִי כַלָּה, בּֽוֹאִי כַלָּה
Enter, bride!
Come in peace, crown of her husband
As well in joy and in jubilation
The midst of the faithful precious nation
Enter, bride! Enter, bride!
Bo’i Kallah
Bo’i v’shalom, ateret ba’ala,
Gam b’simcha uv’ tzhala.
Toch emunei am segula;
Bo’i kallah, bo’i kallah.