Jerusalem of Gold
The mountain air is clear as wineAnd the scent of pinesIs carried on the breeze of twilightWith the sound of bells.
And in the slumber of tree and stoneCaptured in her dreamThe city that sits solitaryAnd in its midst is a wall.
Jerusalem of gold,and of bronze, and of lightBehold I am a violinfor all your songs.
We have returned to the cisternsTo the market and to the market-placeA ram’s horn (shofar) calls out(i.e. is being heard) on the Temple MountIn the Old City.
And in the caves in the mountainThousands of suns shine -We will once again descend to the Dead SeaBy way of Jericho!
Jerusalem of gold,and of bronze and of lightBehold I am a violin for all your songs.
But as I come to sing to you today,And to adorn crowns to you (i.e. to tell your praise)I am the smallest of the youngestof your children (i.e. the least worthy of doing so)And of the last poet (i.e. of all the poets born).
For your name scorches the lipsLike the kiss of a seraphIf I forget thee, Jerusalem,Which is all gold…
Jerusalem of gold, and of bronze, and of lightBehold I am a violin for all your songs.