| Shteyt a bokher, un er trakht, |
| trakht un trakht a gantse nakht, |
| vemen tsu nemen un nit farshemen, |
| vemen tsu nemen un nit farshemen. |
| Tum-bala, tum-bala, tum-balalaike, |
| tum-bala, tum-bala, tum-balala, |
| tum-balalaike, shpil balalaike, |
| tum-balalaike, freylekh zol zain! |
| «Meydl, meydl, kh’vil bai dir fregn: |
| Vos ken vaksn, vaksn on regn? |
| Vos ken brenen un nit oifhern? |
| Vos ken benken, veynen on trern?» |
| Tum-bala… |
| «Narisher bokher, vos darfs tu fregn? |
| A shteyn ken vaksn, vaksn on regn! |
| Libe ken brenen un nit oifhern! |
| A harts ken benken, veynen on trern!» |
| Tum-bala… |