36. Namakkulla Rājyam (Our Country)

A Zionist song from Kerala, probably composed in the 1920s, which celebtates the Jewish liberation from Turkish rule at the end of World War I. It praises the work of Dr. Weizman, "chief of the Sion Sangman" (Zionist Organization), and also the English appointment of Herbert Samuel, a Jew who was British High Commissioner in Palestine 1920-25. I n this each line is repeated.

Text

Now we have our country;                                we have it in our hands,
After all the suffering                                           of two thousand years.
Under the Turkish king                                       we had our food like beggars.
Then came Doctor Weizman                            to protect the people;
He was appointed chief                                     of the Sion Sangam.
***       
The work is now completed--                         building the great kingdom;
Because of the Sion Sangam                          this work is now complete.
All Israel must get ready                                    to be gathered in Sion.
"You can go," said the English Raja,            "to your ancestral country."
He authorized Herbert Samuel                      to redeem God's people.
Oh merciful God please grant us                   the rule of the sacred Mashiah.
Lord, let there be light in Sion                        so we can soon build the Temple.
Please help and guide the dispersed;         help them to move forward.