By Simja Dujov Dreamer, singer, poet, writer, musician, gypsie, Argentinian, Jewish, crazy mustache, awesome dude… Thanks for contributing.
Clearly defining what constitutes an identity is an arguably impossible challenge. Even when left to philosophers or comedians, trying to properly, and clearly, define who and what a person is, or group of people are, is a task beyond the abilities of man. Attempting to define Judaism, a Jew, the Jewish people falls into this category of unachievable categorization. Where do you start? What do you value above all? Is there more than one Judaism? What’s a JEW!?
Of course, we all think we know, and really, perhaps that’s what’s so great about Jews and Judaism: there are immeasurable variants. It’s fluid, flexible and thus, sustainable… The Jewish community has lasted this long, and despite some worries about assimilation, certainly doesn’t seem to be going anywhere. Thankfully. J
I was invited by A Bit Off the Top to create a mix-tape of Jewish themed music. I wondered about what I could do. How would I connect some of the music I love to Judaism?
It occurred to me that I could use ‘distance’ as a theme. One can think of distance as something physical, but also temporal, and even philosophical. It’s a pervasive element in Jewish history and life. How long will Jews wait for the Promised Land? How far do we live from it? What are the things that separate us from what we look for? When will the Messiah arrive; at what time? What will the weather be when he/she arrives? What is the effect of the distance between the world’s various Jewish communities? How related are we to each other physically, religiously and culturally? Does any of this matter!?
Distance in music and in life is personal as well as shared; real and created; it’s story both grounded in fact and in dreams.
The history of the Jews was unpredictable, challenging and “performative”. We have long maintained deep bonds with both our extended family and our faith, but we’ve also personally and communally built upon those bonds and created our own unique narratives. We’re diverse but made of the same thread, and we, to this day, continue to weave an intricate tapestry…
It’s the richness of this history, the web of influences, traditions and individuals that have maintained this community over the centuries. For various reasons, Jewish history has provided us with many songs, poems and stories about distance… I thought I’d share some of my favorites with you:
LONDON LONDON – CAETONO VELOSO
Caetano Veloso is a Brazilian master of music, poetry, singing, subtlety. He is THE Brazilian master.
While exiled in the United Kingdom because of political reasons during the Brazilian dictatorship, he wrote this song that talks about about how far he was from his country; about how everything was so perfect and so correct in London; and that despite this he was still “looking for flying saucers in the sky”.
If you haven´t heard about Ceatano Veloso, this song is a beautiful option for entering into his world.
EXODUS – BOB MARLEY
What can I say about this song that hasn´t been said yet?
“We know where we are going, we know where we are from”
Exodus. Distance. Going away, going far far away. Sadness and longing are expressed, as are memories and tears. Everything is expressed. Why not say it while dancing?
Thank You Bob for your teachings.
500 MILES – PETER, PAUL and MARY performed by NICK CAVE
This crappy version by Nick Cave is even more convincing than the original. The importance of a song is its soul.
“If you miss the train I’m on then you know that I’ll be gone”
Nick Cave’s soul is very present throughout this song. The distance he feels from his lover… Is there a more important distance than the one felt by an aching heart? It’s not measured in kilometers: it’s measured in regret, in apologies, in “what ifs?” and existential reflection; in suffering and remorse… That’s how distance is measured in love, and if that isn’t distance, I don’t know what is…
IT AIN’T ME BABE – BOB DYLAN
This song speaks about expectations, about the distance between expectations and reality, about the distance between what we want and what we have, the distance between the heart and something called reality.
“You say you’re lookin’ for someone
Who’s never weak but always strong
To protect you an’ defend you
Whether you are right or wrong”
DON’T THINK TWICE – BOB DYLAN performed by JOHNNY CASH
Ok, Bob Dylan again. If we choose ten songs about any topic, any topic at all, Dylan’s poetic explorations will most often reveal what we’re looking for…
“It ain’t no use to sit and wonder why, babe” he says. I believe there is a point to use to sitting and wondering, at least sometimes, but what he is telling us is that, if we have to leave, don’t look back with that constant doubt. Doubt is good. Decisions are as well.
In this version of the Dylan song, Johnny Cash and his deep and convincing voice reminds us that questioning are as Jewish as the distance between the diaspora and the promised land.
And if you don’t believe it, listen, “I would take the don’t like (think twice, it´s all right) don’t think twice it’s al’right.”
You’re the reason I’m trav’lin’ on
Don’t think twice, it’s all’right
LEAVING NEW YORK – R.E.M
Sometimes one verse in a song makes the whole thing worth it.
“It’s easier to leave than to be left behind”
A wandering nation suffered for leaving and for being left behind. Let’s think about both things.
Michael Stipe’s voice is one of my favourites, and he pronounces every syllable as a real truth. I believe his suffering.
DER WANDERER – SCHUBERT
I´ve read a lot about antisemitism and the image of the Jew in Europe in the XIX Century. I´m sure there is a lot to talk about but not here. The wanderer is a romantic figure in poetry from about 200 years ago: A man that is always walking, searching for adventures, searching for the truth. As far as I know, he never finds it but in his desire to know his world, he has inspired many to write about him.
Here is music from Schubert based in a poem by Georg Philipp Schmidt. “I am a stranger everywhere… That land where they speak my language, oh lan, where are you?”
If this wasn’t a Jewish subject in the XIX Century, well, it should have been.
Ok, if you’ve read the whole post and listened to all the songs, I´m sure you had a good time thinking about the distance, memories, your own self in relation to others, and many other things that happen when you listen to music, like remembering that you forgot a bottle of water in the freezer and that it’s now ice… Oops, too late! Thankfully, it’s very hot in Argentina right now.
I wanted to include songs by Pulp, Serge Gainsbourg and Elvis, but haven’t found the right ones yet. Maybe next time, with a different Jewish topic.
If you were paying attention, maybe in your mind you have something like this:
We know where we are going, we know where we are from
I´m looking for flying saucers in the sky
To protect you an’ defend you, Whether you are right or wrong
if you miss the train I’m on then you know that i’ll be gone
You’re the reason I’m trav’lin’ on, Don’t think twice, it’s all right
It’s easier to leave than to be left behind
I am a stranger everywhere
Thank You for reading. As a present, I leave you this amazing song by the french poet and singer, Jacques Brel, which title, in English is “Moustaches”.
