ami Shteyt a bokher, un er dmi trakht, 

E7 trakht un trakht a gantse ami nakht, 

vemen tsu F nemen un nit C farshemen, 

vemen tsu G nemen E7 un nit ami farshemen. 

Tum bala, tum bala, tum balalaika, 

tum bala, tum bala, tum balalaika, 

tum balalaika, shpil balalaika, 

tum balalaika, freylekh zol zain! 

"Meydl, meydl, kh'vil bai dir fregn: 

Vos ken vaksn, vaksn on regn? 

Vos ken brenen un nit oifhern? 

Vos ken benken, veynen on tren?" 

Tum bala, tum bala, tum balalaika, 

tum bala, tum bala, tum balalaika, 

tum balalaika, shpil balalaika, 

tum balalaika, freylekh zol zain! 

"Narisher bokher, vos darfs tu fregn? 

A shteyn ken vaksn, vaksn on regn! 

A libe ken brenen un nit oifhern! 

A harts ken benken, veynen on tren!" 

Tum bala, tum bala, tum balalaika, 

tum bala, tum bala, tum balalaika, 

tum balalaika, shpil balalaika, 

tum balalaika, freylekh zol zain!