L'CHA DODI
by Michael Reid Winikoff

Choir (SATB) and Soli with optional harp or piano
Friday Evening - Kabbalat Shabbat

L’cha dodi likrat kala p’nei shabbat
n’kabb’la.
Shamor v’zachor b’dibur echad
Hishmi-anu Eil ham’yu-chad
A-donay echad ush’mo echad
L’sheim ultif’eret v’lithila.
L’cha dodi….

Likrat shabbat l’chu v’neilcha
Ki hi m’kor hab’racha
Meirosh mikedem n’sucha
Sof ma-aseh b’mach’shava t’chila
L’cha dodi….

Mikdash melech ir m’lucha
Kumi tz’I mitoch hahafeicha
Rav lach shevet b’eimek habacha
V’hu yachamol alayich chemla
L’cha dodi….

Hitna-ari mei-afar kumi
Livshi bigdei tif-arteich ami
Al yad ben Yishai beit halachmi
Karva el nafshi g’ala
L’cha dodi….

Hit’o-r’ri, hit’o-r’ri ki va oreich kumi ori
Uri Uri
Shir dabeiri
K’vod A-donay alayich nigla
L’cha dodi….

Lo teivoshi v’lo tikalmi
Ma tishtochachi uma tehemi
Bach yechesu aniyei ami
V’nivn’ta ir al tila
L’cha dodi….

V’hayu limshisa shosayich
V’rachaku kol m’valayich
Yasis alayich E-lohayich
Kimsos chatan al kala
L’cha dodi….

Yamin usmol tifrotzi
V’et A-donay ta-aritzi
Al yad ish ben partzi
V’nism’cha v’nagila
L’cha dodi….

Bo-i v’shalom ateret ba’la
Gam b’simcha uv’tzahawla
Toch emunei am s’gula
Bo-i chala bo-i chala
L’cha dodi likrat kala p’nei shabbat
n’kabb’la.

Come, beloved, to meet the bride; to welcome and greet Shabbat.
“Observe” and “Remember,” in a single word,
We were commanded by the One G-d.
The Lord is One, and His name is One,
In renown, honor and praise.
Come, beloved….

Come let us go and greet Shabbat,
It is a font of blessing,
From the earliest, from the most ancient was it ordained,
Created at the last, planned from the first.
Come, beloved….

Sovereign’s sanctuary, regal city,
Arise from your ruin,
Too long have you dwelt in a valley of weeping,
He will have much compassion on you.
Come, beloved….

Shake yourself and rise from the dust,
Don your splendid garments, O my people,
By the hand of the son of Jesse, the Bethlehemite,
Draw near, redemption, to my soul.
Come, beloved…. 

Rouse, rouse, for your light has come,
Arise and shine!  Wake, wake!
Utter a song.
The glory of the Lord is shown upon you.
Come, beloved….

Be not embarrassed, be not ashamed.
Why be downcast, why do you moan?
My afflicted will have shelter in you.
The city will be rebuilt on its ancient hill.
Come, beloved….

Your despoilers are become the spoil
Your devourers are far away.
Your G-d will take joy in you,
As the bridegroom for the bride.
Come, beloved….

To your right and to your left shall you spread
You will revere the Lord.
By the child of Perez,
We shall joyfully sing and exult.
Come, beloved….

Arrive in peace, crown of the bridegroom,
In joy and happiness,
Mid the faithful of the chosen people
Arrive O bride, arrive O bride.
Come, beloved, to meet the bride; to welcome and
greet Shabbat.