Yad Anugah (Delicate Hand)

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About the Song

Yad Anuga has an interesting history. Its text comes from a poem, “Et Kol Liba Masra Lo” (She Gave Him All Her Heart) by the peripatetic Zionist writer Zalman Shneur (1887-1959), which first appeared in a London periodical called HaMe’orer (The Awakener) in 1906. The poem became known throughout the Jewish communities of Europe, and it was apparently in Vilna, during the first decade of the 20th century, that it was first sung -- to an entirely different melody. Meanwhile, the poem made its way to Palestine where, like so many other texts, it “acquired” its commonly heard tune, attributed to the Bedouin folk tradition. When the “new” version made its way back to Europe it replaced the “original” melody, and became well known as a “song of the pioneers.” It has appeared in print with the "new" tune since the 1920’s.

Yad Anugah (Delicate Hand) Lyrics

Oh she had such a warm and delicate hand
How could I bare to touch her
Two crimson lips that called for me in delight
Only for kisses were they made
Only for kisses were they made
Oh mama…only for kisses were they made

Her darkened eyes the light and shade danced within
Her trembling hand, her trembling beauty
I could feel the freshness of her youthful skin
It was a skin that glowed exclusively for touching
Only for touching was her skin
Only for touching was her skin
Oh mama…only for touching was her skin

The evening came and before long came the night
Silently shadow kissing shadow
It was then she gave herself unto me
That’s when she gave her heart unto me
That’s when she gave her heart unto me
Oh mama…she gave her heart unto me.

Oh she had such a warm and delicate hand