Eight Days of Chanukah is a Russian folk song, with English lyrics by S. Gewirtz
Once there was a time we had a Temple Where every Jew would go three times a year There we worshipped God in our tradition Till suddenly a tyrant did appear Then at Modiin Mattathias told us "Whoever is for God come join our band." Led by Judah and his faithful brothers We drove the tyrant from our holy land.
CHORUS: EIGHT DAYS OF CHANUKAH, EIGHT DAYS OF CHANUKAH WE CELEBRATE THE FESTIVAL OF LIGHT THOSE DAYS IN HISTORY STILL LIVE FOR YOU AND ME LET'S KEEP THE FLAME FOREVER SHINING BRIGHT.
When they came to dedicate the Temple How their hearts were heavy with despair Impurities and idols all around them And just one jar of pure oil was there But with faith in God they cleansed the Temple Kindled that small lamp with hope and love Then the story had a happy ending Eight days of blessed light came from above.