10. Ñāṇṇaṭĕ Maṇavāḷan (Prosper, Prosper! - Our Bridegroom, Our Bride)

A competition song sung responsively between the party of the bride (marked below as B) and the party of the bridegroom (G), at a celebration after the wedding when gifts are presented. The chorus and the opening two verses are repeated by each party in turn while the third verse is in the form of a dialogue between them. This is an abbreviated version, one variant of a longer song beginning"Prosper, Prosper!” which was traditionally sung at a party for non-Jewish friends during the week after the wedding.

Text

Chorus:
When our bridegroom (bride) goes for the bath,
Oh dear rain, don't fall.

-1-
The best man (bridesmaid) accompanying him (her) should not get wet.
The finger with the ring should not get wet.

Chorus

-2-
The breast adorned with flowers should not get wet
Our bridegroom (bride) is our shining lamp.

Chorus

***

-3-
B: Who is there to catch the deer? Who is there to catch the deer?
G: "I will catch, I will catch," so said the groom.
B: What is the mark on the deer you caught?
G: A spot on a spot, that is the sign.
    Who is there to cut the deer? Who is there to cut the deer?
B: "I will cut, I will cut," so said the bride.
G: What is the mark on the deer you cut?
B: A spot on a spot, that is the sign.