top The Shealtiel Family Song
Songwriter's note: Based on my historical researches of the origins of our family and inspired by the (First International Reunion), I wrote "The Shealtiel Song" on 23 June 1994. I composed the song to the melody of the famous song "Yerushalayim shel Zahav" (Jerusalem of Gold). I carefully included in the text the names of all the countries where the participants at the reunion had come from.
Vibeke Sealtiël Olsen - Amsterdam
THE SHEALTIEL SONG - Melody: Jerusalem of Gold
Long time ago in Babylonia
there lived a Jewish prince
Shaltiel, son of Jehojachin
they both lived in exile
Shaltiels son he build the temple
of this the Bible says
and after this begins our story
because of Shaltiels name
Refrain:
Shealtiels they travelled far
they went to Africa and Spain
they left their homeland full of sorrow
and lived their lives
(repeat)
In Spain Shealtiel was rabbi
he made his fortune well
he wrote comments on Maimonedes
and bought a Haggadah
But later Spain brought prosecution
by Ferdinand and Isabelle
Shealtiels refused baptizing
so they would be expelled
Refrain:
Shealtiels they travelled far
to Salonique and Istanbul
they left their homeland full of sorrow
and lived their lives
(repeat)
In Salonique and all of Turkey
they traded and lived well
textile, red wine and many spices
they brought from far away
But soon the empire lost its power
and business went so bad
and with the end of the golden era
powerty drove them off
Refrain:
Shealtiels they travelled far
to kingdom England and to France
they left their homeland full of sorrow
and lived their lives
(repeat)
Now our family lived global
settled throughout the world
America, Australia, Holland
Austria, Israel
And in these countries some did prosper
others became so poor
they lived among the gentile people
but always kept their roots
Refrain:
Shealtiels they travelled far
and many generations passed
but one thing all of us remembered:
We came from Spain!
(repeat)
Today our family has gathered
after 500 years
we share tonight a reunion dinner
this August '94
We hope to get to know each other
we never met before
but this reunion we'll remember
where-ever we will go
Refrain:
Shealtiels will travel far
and all the world is our home
but our name and our family
will stay with us
(repeat)