72. The Hope in the Jewish Heart

Rahel Kala, Venus Lane. Recorded at NSA Studio, August 19, 2001; I-39.

Yahūda hṟdaya śaraņa śubhaṃ
Jīvicirikkunna kālaměllā

1. In the Jewish heart there dwells a hope,
And through the ages it will survive. 
Through the ages it will survive.   (x2)

2. Like the morning star rising over the sea,  
Siyon is a beacon for the mind.
Through the ages it beckons the mind.   (x2)

3. Our hope of returning to the land,
The land of our ancestors’ birth—
Let this hope not be in vain.   (x2)

4. If we have love for our own caste,  
If the best of this love is ours…   (x3)

5. We know God’s mercy will be with us.
With us, God’s mercy will always be.   (x3)

6. These are the words we deeply believe.
O dear brethren, listen and see.   (x3)

7. All through the lifetime of the Jews,
Protected we will always be.   (x3)

This early twentieth century Zionist song was composed by Eliyahu Japheth (1850–1935), the grandfather of Ruby Daniel and of her sister Rahel Kala, who recorded it in 2001 together with their cousin’s daughter, Venus Lane. The song is found in only one notebook (S-9) and may not have been widely known outside the family.

It is possible that the composer was inspired by the Hebrew song “Hatikvah,” though the influence is less obvious here than in the previous song, “Our Ancient Hope,” composed by his younger contemporary Isaac Moshe Roby. In the first line of stanza 4, Japheth refers to the Jews as “our own caste” [“jati”]—a common self-definition among the Kerala Jews—and he stresses the importance of love and unity among all the Jews.

The melody of this song is taken from the third tune in song 20, “The Command Proclaimed,” for which no other source has yet been identified.