"Im Nin’alu Daltei Nedivim" (Were the gates of the munificent closed)

Im nin’alu daltei nedivim is a shira by Shalem Shabazi, signed Alshabazi. This poem is one of the most popular and widely known among the Yemenite Jews. It is sung on many different occasions, at weddings and other celebrations, to many melodies. Alternate stanzas are written in Hebrew and Arabic.

This recording features Uri Cohen, accompanying himself on a tin pan, sings the first stanza, and the first part of the third. The melody of this version is one of the least known to which this song is sung. It is simple and rhythmic, and his drumming emphasizes its duple meter.