The Great Israeli Singing Groups: The Gevatron Sing Their Hit "Bat Shishim" Then and Now

Today we're starting another new series on Jewish Humor Central -- The Great Israeli Singing Groups. Every few weeks we'll profile one of the ensembles that brought joy to the people of Israel, whether on a kibbutz or in the streets of Tel Aviv in the early days of the state.

Just like us, they've aged. But just like us, they haven't stopped singing the songs that carried them through the founding and building of the state of Israel. We'll post video clips of them at reunions held recently alongside video clips at the height of their popularity.

We'll start with the Gevatron.   The story of the Gevatron troupe begins in early 1948, when a group of singers in Kibbutz Geva performed at the dedication of a new basketball court in the kibbutz. They called themselves the "Gevatron" – a combination of the name of the kibbutz with the name of the "Cheezbatron", a singing troupe that performed during the War for Independence. The young group started performing for communal occasions in the kibbutz, with accordion accompaniment. They were amateurs and sang mainly verses, written by members of the kibbutz, to borrowed melodies, Russian songs for the most part.

One of their most popular songs, Bat Shishim, was originally written for the kibbutz's 60th anniversary in 1981. It was revived and updated in 2008 when the Israel government chose it as the official song to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the founding of the state.

In this video clip, recorded at their 60th anniversary concert, the Gevatron sing Bat Shishim. It's followed by a video recording of the group singing the original song and a TV report of members reminiscing about the old days after being awarded the prestigious Israel Prize.

Enjoy!

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Here is an English translation of the lyrics:
She (the song, the kibbutz, the State of Israel) is 60  years old,
The head of the Gilboa (mountain)
That someone painted in red

A great day is coming,
A young and new day,
That erases her wrinkles
And her years

She's real 
And not just a symbol
And not a flag or a sign
She is looking to the future 
As the past is behind her
Every single day

A great day is coming
A young and new day
That erases every wrinkle
And her years to the day

She is a grandma
And a mother
And a granddaughter
That becomes always new
Like the seasons of the year
A woman of the summer 
Or the winter
But in her heart she is always spring