6. Vayalil Vasikkum Stṟiyĕ (Dwelling in the Field)

A Malayalam version, composed in Kochi by Eliyahu Japheth (d. 1935), of the medieval Hebrew piyyut "Shokhant ba-sadeh" by Salomon Ibn Gabirol of Spain. Sung at any festive occasion with the same tune as the Hebrew original, it is especially popular for parties associated with a wedding because it is addressed to a beautiful woman.

Text

Oh woman dwelling in the field,
Dwelling in between the slopes,
Standing on top of Carmel, you can watch Mount Bashan.

A garden beautiful as gold -
See, oh beautiful woman.
Oh, look out and see the garden where the flowers bloom.

Oh, you charming maiden,
Why did you ever leave the garden?
You can graze from the garden of Yokshan; you can eat the choice fruits of Dishan.

Come let us return to the garden,
There we will eat its choicest fruits.
The one who finds favor in your eyes, with him you can lie down and sleep.
Oh woman, dwelling in the field!