Bei Mir Bistu Shein

ven du zolst zayn shvarts vi a toter,

Even if you had a Tatar complexion,

ven du host oygn vi bay a koter,

even if you had tomcat eyes,

un ven du hinkst tsu bislekh host hil serne fislekh,

and even if you had a little limp, or had wooden legs,

zog ikh, “dos art mikh nit.”

I would say, “It doesn’t bother me.”

ven du host a narishn shmeykhl,

Even if you had a foolish smile,

un ven du host vayzoses seykhl,

or were an utter simpleton,

ven du bist vild vi an indiyaner,

even if you were as unrefined as a wild Indian,

bist afile a galitsyaner,

even if you were as common as a coarse Galician Jew,

zog ikh, “dos art mikh nit.”

I’d say, “It doesn’t bother me.”

bay mir bistu sheyn,

To me you’re beautiful,

bay mir hostu kheyn,

to me you have grace,

bay mir bistu eyner af der velt.

to me you’re one of a kind.

bay mir bistu gut,

To me you’re great,

bay mir hostu “it,”

to me you have “it,”

bay mir bistu tayerer fun gelt.

to me you’re more precious than riches.

fil sheyne meydlekh hobn shoyn gevolt nemen mikh.

Many beautiful girls have wanted me,

un fun zey ale oysgeklibn hob ikh nor dikh.

and from all of them I chose only you.