Dancing to "Hava Nagila."
(Courtesy of the Museum of Jewish Heritage)
Earlier this week, we aired an interview with Museum of Jewish Heritage curator Melissa Martens about the song "Hava Nagila." Martens told us about the song's origins as a "nigun" (a Jewish wordless melody), how it earned its reputation as a party song, and how it's been adapted by different cultures over time. Heck, host John Schaefer even sipped on a "Hava Tequila."
We asked our listeners to share thoughts on "Hava Nagila," and as it turns out, you all not only had a lot to say about the song, you had a little bit to sing about it as well.
Listener Sylvia, from Morningside Heights left us this voicemail about the New York Yankees' use of "Hava Nagila" for player Dave Winfield:
Steve, from Manhattan, gives us some new background information about Harry Belafonte's version of the "Hava Nagila," and shares his own personal favorite version of the song:
John, from Brooklyn serenaded us with the version of the "Hava Nagila" that he grew up with -- "Have-A Banana":
And an anonymous caller also pointed out a rather unique version of the song from Bob Dylan:
Prior to joining Soundcheck in early 2011, Katie was an associate producer at Martha Stewart Living Radio on Sirius XM - where, by the way, she learned how to make a mean roast chicken. She has also worked for Marketplace, Jazz at Lincoln Center Radio and The State of Things with Frank Stasio on North Carolina Public Radio.
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