Hevenu shalom aleichem
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"Hevenu shalom aleichem" (Hebrew: הבאנו שלום עליכם "We brought peace upon you"[1]) is a Hebrew-language folk song based on the greeting Shalom aleichem. While perceived to be an Israeli folk song, the melody of "Hevenu shalom aleichem" pre-dates the current state of Israel and is of Hasidic origin. Some scholars have asserted that the melody originated among Hasidic Jews in Romania. It is traditionally sung at Jewish celebrations, such as weddings. It has been translated into several languages including English, French, German, and Spanish and became popular abroad, also used for peace demonstrations.
"Hevenu shalom aleichem" is based on the traditional greeting in Hebrew, Shalom aleichem. The three words are its only text, repeated several times. The composer of the melody is unknown,[1] however scholars assert that the tune is of Hasidic Jewish origin.[2][3][4] While perceived to be an Israeli folk song,[2] British music journalist Norman Lebrecht stated that the melody of "Hevenu shalom aleichem" originated among Hasidic Jews in Romania.[4]
"Hevenu shalom aleichem" is commonly sung by Jews at wedding celebrations,[2] and is also utilized at bar and bat mitzvah (b'nei) celebrations.[5] While not considered a religious song, the work is occasionally incorporated in Jewish religious services; and has been cited as particularly useful in reaching congregants living with dementia because of its engagement with Jewish identity and cultural and sensory memory.[6]
Since the early 19th century, the melody of "Hevenu shalom aleichem" has been used and adapted in several classical compositions. These include the opening of the third movement of Mendelssohn's Reformation Symphony (1830)[4] and the last third of Franz Xaver Haberl's Salem Aleikum: Orientalisches Marsch-Intermezzo (c. 1920).[7] The melody was later used by composer Frank Ticheli in his work Angels in the Architecture which premiered at the Sydney Opera House in 2008.[8]
According to Israeli music scholar and Israel Prize winner Eliyahu Hacohen (b. 1935), he himself had learned the lyrics back in kindergarten. Hacohen maintained that the song's melody became known in Israel through an advertisement for Salem Aleikum cigarettes in Germany, which was performed by a Turkish ensemble.[7]
The song has been adapted to be sung in many languages, such as English, "May there be peace in the world", German, "Wir wollen Frieden für alle" (We want peace for all), French, "Nous voulons la paix pour le monde" (We want peace for the world), and Italian, "Vogliamo pace per tutti" (We want peace for all).[9] It became sung increasingly in Germany after the Second Vatican Council that ended in 1965, encouraging Christians and Jews to remember their common heritage.[10] It was included in Protestant hymnals in German,[10] including as No. 433 in the Evangelisches Gesangbuch[11] by the 1970s.[12] The song became popular and remains popular.[10] In France, the French translation is also often used as a hymn.[13]
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