Israel's President Rivlin Joins Singer Yehoram Gaon in Hebrew Version of Arlo Guthrie Classic

Earlier this month Israeli president Reuven Rivlin joined famed Israeli singer Yehoram Gaon in a rendition of Gaon's popular Hebrew version of Arlo Guthrie's song City of New Orleans. 

The original song was composed by Steve Goodman while traveling from Chicago to New Orleans on the Illinois Central Railroad’s City of New Orleans. Goodman recorded City of New Orleans in 1970 and released it the next year on his self-titled album. John Denver released a cover of City of New Orleans in 1971 but it was Arlo Guthrie’s version – released in 1972 on his album Hobo’s Lullaby – that made the song famous. 

The Hebrew version, Shalom Lach Eretz Nehederet, was a big hit in Israel, with the words rewritten to describe the beauty of the land of Israel from north to south and from east to west.

As we approach Yom Yerushalayim (Jerusalem Day) next Monday, we're posting the Rivlin-Gaon duet, followed by a solo performance by Yehoram Gaon, and the original song performed by Arlo Guthrie.

Enjoy!

(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.)   

President Reuven Rivlin and Yehoram Gaon singing Shalom Lach Eretz Nehederet


Yehoram Gaon singing Shalom Lach Eretz Nehederet


Arlo Guthrie singing City of New Orleans