Maidens [Singing and dancing]—
(Solo)
I have braided my hair with the threads of gold:
Red gold in my ebony tresses—
Pink wanderer in the wilderness,
(Chorus)
Hither to me! To me!
(Solo)
I have hung great gems about my throat:
Onyx and beryl on my brown throat—
(Chorus)
Oh! Hither to me!
(Solo)
The eyes of my lover gleam through the night;
I hear the bells of his camels in haste—
(Chorus)
Ah! Hither! Hither to me!
Zebulun. The moan of the wind groweth fiercer.
Dan. The palm-trees whistle in its rage.
Issachar. Now the men and maidens meet in the dance of the betrothal.
[The men and the maidens face each other and as they sing the dance illustrates the song.]
Men. Thou art mine, beloved, I hold thee!
Maids. Hold me fast, lest I slip from thee!
Men. My hands are about thy neck!
Maids. I bow my neck and I am free!
Men. I clasp thee about the waist!
Maids. I turn, and I am as free as the air!
