For the last few years at Temple Beth Ami, I have asked during Friday night services if there are any requests for special songs and even though I get many requests for Yiddish songs, Ladino songs and even Hebrew songs, the one that I've gotten the most requests for is Chiribim Chiribom.
When I try to analyze why this song over many others, I can only guess that it's because the chorus is a "nigun" - a song without words. Nigunim are not only easy to sing, they are also fun. The "bim, bom’s" "dai, dai, dai's" need very little effort to repeat and whoever sings these is participating in the singing of a "Jewish" song or prayer. Not to mention the fact that anyone can sing them even if you don't speak Hebrew or Yiddish.
The Encyclopedia Britannica defines a nigun as: "a wordless song sung by Hasidic Jews as a means of elevating the soul . . ." I simply call it "Jewish Soul Music." I hope to introduce some new nigunim at future Friday night services for you to enjoy.
In the meantime…when I say "bim", you say "bom!"
When I try to analyze why this song over many others, I can only guess that it's because the chorus is a "nigun" - a song without words. Nigunim are not only easy to sing, they are also fun. The "bim, bom’s" "dai, dai, dai's" need very little effort to repeat and whoever sings these is participating in the singing of a "Jewish" song or prayer. Not to mention the fact that anyone can sing them even if you don't speak Hebrew or Yiddish.
The Encyclopedia Britannica defines a nigun as: "a wordless song sung by Hasidic Jews as a means of elevating the soul . . ." I simply call it "Jewish Soul Music." I hope to introduce some new nigunim at future Friday night services for you to enjoy.
In the meantime…when I say "bim", you say "bom!"
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