Several important stories from my childhood mentioned friends with whom I had experiences that left their mark on my memory. The experience of the birth of the 'Leader Duo' with Abramela Reichstadt and Shmulik Kraus, then the joining of Eti Zaid and finally Kraus' retirement. Rehearsals, practice and song selection. Shimon Reichstadt, Abramela's brother, Israel Tamari and I were the foundation of the gang that became one of the famous salon companies in Haifa in the mid-1950s.
At that time I knew Uri Sharon. Sometimes he joined the group and even then he was pulling on his pen. He recited his verses with great passion. Uri became a Haifa journalist and wrote, among other things, many hundreds of poems. Uri wrote a special poem for the Ramon family: "The lightning struck twice." The poem is particularly moving and a guy named Albert Dostan composed and sang it.
Lightning struck twice.
Lyrics: Uri Sharon Composition and performance: Albert Dostan
Lightning – it struck twice,
And cut off his life in one fell swoop.
This is the son who was "number two."
Of his father whom he loved so much.
And the thunder that came – did not swallow
Cries of pain, astonishment
That broke out, intensified and became silent
The eyes of the entire nation.
ditty:
And the heavenly bodies will testify;
Even clods of earth will tell
How lightning struck twice
And why? And how? For what?!
The tree has so adorned its fruit,
And it sprouted branches in splendor.
How come God didn't notice?
And another branch was cut off in the storm.
And above, somewhere in the sky,
At the entrance of space, on the threshold
This has gathered to infinity - it has arrived;
The tree was gathered to the tree.
ditty:
And the heavenly bodies will testify;
Even clods of earth will tell
How lightning struck twice
And why? And how? For what?!
When I first heard the song, I shivered. Four significant factors combined to make it happen: the powerful lyrics, a heart-pounding melody, an intriguing arrangement, and Albert's emotional singing.
I highly recommend listening to the song: 'Lightning Strikes Twice'. We'll listen to it twice (it's also no problem getting it on YouTube).
In 1959, during a chance meeting at the Ofer's house, another beautiful song was born. Uri Sharon tells the story in his own words: "One day, Abramela asked me if I could write lyrics to a melody written by an 'anonymous' person named Shmulik Kraus. The 'Ofer' added that he and Esther needed the song for the start of their performance at the nightclub that had opened in Jaffa at the time, called "Omer Khayam". I saw this as a great compliment, and I immediately replied in the affirmative. That's how I wrote the lyrics to "The Fisherman's Song" (not the fisherman everyone knows, but a different fisherman, because like fish, there are many fishermen in the great sea).
The O'ofrim duo included this song in its repertoire at "Omer Khayyam" and in its other performances throughout the country. The song was included in the first record released by the duo, called "O'ofrim", and was also included in Esther's compilation albums. "The Fisherman's Song" was the first song by Shmulik Kraus to be recorded.
Song of the Fish
Lyrics: Uri Sharon (Shika), Music: Shmuel Kraus, Arrangement: Aryeh Levanon
They went down again with a swing of an oar
Fishermen are still out to sea.
And the moon above sent its light.
On fishing boats back at sea.
And the moon above sent its rays.
On fishing boats back at sea.
Here, fisherman, rower. Here's a booty.
Please come closer to me, to my nets.
But in vain, brother, in vain.
All the great loot
God of the sea plunged down, disappeared.
Again rowing between broken waves,
His boat rocks alone.
Mists spread over the waves of the sea,
Covering a fisherman's boat.
Mists spread over the waves of the sea,
Covering a fisherman's boat.
Come, fisherman, row to your home.
The sun rises again amidst the mists.
Tomorrow is coming.
A fisherman will go out to battle.
The struggle with the sea will continue.
And the moon above will send its light
On fishing boats back at sea.
And the moon over his horn will send
On fishing boats back at sea.
Did the article interest you?