Yidden, Popular Wedding Song and Dance, Was Originally a German Song About Genghis Khan

One of the most frequently played songs at Jewish weddings for the last few decades has been Yidden Yidden, Kumt Aheim, the fervent dance introduced by Mordechai Werdyger (professionally known as Mordechai Ben David, or MBD) in 1986. 

Everybody assumes that it's a Jewish song. But like Hatikva (adapted from an Italian madrigal) and some other popular Jewish songs, it has its origins in a country and culture that is in no way Jewish.

The reality is that the music that we recognize as Yidden first appeared at the Eurovision song competition in 1979, the year that saw Israel win first place for the song Hallelujah by the group called Milk and Honey. 

That year, Germany entered the competition with a song praising the strength and sexual prowess of Genghis Khan, the 13th century Mongol conqueror. The song is titled Dschinghis Khan, by a band of the same name.

Here are some of the translated lyrics:

He was the greatest lover and the strongest man of his day

And we have heard that all the women fell for him, so they say.

And he bred seven children in one long night

He had his girls around him in his very sight

And nothing that could stop him in this world.

Geng-Geng-Genghis Khan, etc. 

Here's the video, sung in the original German. 

(A SPECIAL NOTE FOR NEW EMAIL SUBSCRIBERS:  THE VIDEO IS NOT VIEWABLE DIRECTLY FROM THE EMAIL THAT YOU GET EACH DAY.  YOU MUST CLICK ON THE TITLE AT THE TOP OF THE EMAIL TO REACH THE JEWISH HUMOR CENTRAL WEBSITE, FROM WHICH YOU CLICK ON THE PLAY BUTTON IN THE VIDEO IMAGE TO START THE VIDEO.)

Here's the same song, now in Yiddish, sung at a Chabad telethon by MBD, often referred to in Orthodox and Chassidic circles as the King of Jewish Music.

 

OK, since we mentioned Hallelujah, we'll give you a bonus for the sake of nostalgia and include a video of the winning song. Enjoy!

(A tip of the kippah to Jack Kustanowitz for bringing this story to our attention.)