Jewish Star 2012 Winner Dovid Moskovits Sings Hebrew "You Raise Me Up"

Fresh from his victory as the junior winner of the "Jewish Star 2012" international singing competition, 12-year-old Dovid Moskovits has released a new music video, Saeni Nah.    

Written by Zvika Bornstein with music by Rolf Lovland, this is the first time that the song You Raise Me Up has been covered in Hebrew and the touching lyrics transcend language and culture, speaking words of solace and comfort that are universal.

The song is simultaneously haunting yet hopeful, as the poignant lyrics describe how children through the ages have endured tremendous suffering and tribulations, yet have been comforted by the knowledge that God is with them, even at their darkest hour.

Dovid's soaring vocals give voice to the trials and heartache of Jewish children over the years, with a particular nod to the children of the Holocaust. The haunting violins, reminiscent of the noted musicians of Auschwitz, and the pictures of children who endured the horrors of World War II only serve as a stark reminder that despite the passage of generations, these children of yesteryear are forever linked to today's youth, who still feel their pain.

Yet Sa'eni Nah, produced by Zvika Bornstein, with musical arrangement by Nochi Krohn, is about the timeless solace that has helped children endure for centuries, knowing that even in the bleakest situations, they are never alone. As the voice of the new generation, Dovid continues to shine, offering a beacon of hope that is both comforting and heartwarming.

The song has an interesting history. It was composed originally as an instrumental piece by Rolf Lovland, with parts of the melody based on Londonderry Air, an Irish tune later put to lyrics in 1910 to create the song Danny Boy, now considered an Irish classic. Lovland approached the Irish songwriter Brendan Graham to add lyrics and You Raise Me Up is the result.

It became a huge success in a version produced by David Foster and sung by Josh Groban, reaching the top of the Billboard charts in 2004. It has since been covered more than 125 times, with our favorite version the finale of the Celtic Woman concert at Slane Castle, Ireland in 2006. We've included that version at the end of this blog post. Enjoy!

The music video is directed by Aaron Orian, and produced by Danny Finkelman.

(Translation below the video) 

(A SPECIAL NOTE FOR NEW EMAIL SUBSCRIBERS:  THE VIDEO MAY NOT BE VIEWABLE DIRECTLY FROM THE EMAIL THAT YOU GET EACH DAY ON SOME COMPUTERS AND TABLETS.  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.)

Translation of the Hebrew version: You Raise Me Up (שאני נא)

Lyrics : Zvika Bornstein
Sung by : Dovid Moskovits

Here you are walking right beside me,
As our footsteps, press into the sand.
But darkness comes, I'm all alone and frightened,
Into the light I'm carried in Your arms.

My Awesome God, you lift me from the darkness,
from the stormy seas to the highest mountains,
You raise me up, and I am on your shoulders,
You gave me all the good that is in me.

My life in pictures flashes in the heavens,
Those troubled images flash before my eyes,
You say, "My son, then you were on my shoulders
Those single footsteps in the sand -- they are mine."

My Awesome God, you lift me from the darkness,
from the stormy seas to the highest mountains,
You raise me up, and I am on your shoulders,
You gave me all the good that is in me.

Here is the Celtic Woman version: