Ki Eshmera Shabbat (If I Guard the Sabbath) from "Sephardic Journey" Jeffrey Strauss, baritone APOLLO'S FIRE | on period instruments Jeannette Sorrell, Artistic Director & Conductor Performed February 2016 Maltz Performing Arts Center, Cleveland Karina Schmitz, viola Tina Bergmann, hammered dulcimer Brian Kay, oud William Simms, theorbo Rex Benincasa, percussion LYRICS: Ki ‘eshmerà Shabbàt, ‘El yishmerèini. ‘Ot hi l’olmèi ad Beinò uveinì. [Repeat as Refrain.] If I guard the Sabbath, God will watch over me. The Sabbath is a seal Between God and me forever. [Repeat as Refrain.] Bò emtze‘àh tamìd Nòaḥ l’nafshì, Hinèi l’dor rishòn Natàn kedoshì, Mofèt b’tèt lèchem mishnèh vashishì, Kàkha b’khòl shishì Yakhpìl mizonì. [Refrain.] On the Sabbath I find rest for my soul. From the beginning, God gave a sign: Double-bread on the sixth day. So may my food be doubled On every sixth day. Refrain. Hu yom m’chubàd Hu yom ta‘anugìm, Lèḥem v’yàyin tov Basàr v’dagìm, Has’meḥìm bo, Hem simḥà masigìm, Ki yom s’maḥòt hu. [Refrain.] It is a day we honor, A day of pleasures: Bread and good wine, Meat and fish. Those who rejoice on the Sabbath Attain happiness, For it is a day of joy. Refrain. Hebrew transliteration & English translation by Jeffrey Strauss Tour booking inquiries for Apollo's Fire: Opus 3 Artists https://apollosfire.org/ Passion.Period. ----- Video production by Erica Brenner