The Silver Platter

Lyrics: Nathan Alterman

Translation: David P. Stern

…And the land will grow still

Crimson skies dimming, misting

Slowly paling again

Over smoking frontiers

As the nation stands up

Torn at heart but existing

To receive its first wonder

In two thousand years

As the moment draws near

It will rise, darkness facing Stand straight in the moonlight In terror and joy

...When across from it step out

Towards it slowly pacing In plain sight of all A young girl and a boy

Dressed in battle gear, dirty

Shoes heavy with grime

On the path they will climb up

While their lips remain sealed

To change garb, to wipe brow

They have not yet found time Still bone weary from days And from nights in the field

Full of endless fatigue

And all drained of emotion

Yet the dew of their youth

Is still seen on their head

Thus like statues they stand

Stiff and still with no motion And no sign that will show If they live or are dead

Then a nation in tears

And amazed at this matter Will ask: who are you? And the two will then say

With soft voice: We--

Are the silver platter On which the Jews' state Was presented today

Then they fall back in darkness

As the dazed nation looks And the rest can be found In the history books.