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Ballad of the 4 Children
Contributed by Davina Drabkin

  • TOP HAGGADAHS FOR 2023

THE BALLAD OF THE FOUR CHILDREN (Tune: Clementine)

Said the family to the children: "At the Seder you will dine. You will eat your fill of Matzah; You will drink four cups of wine." Now this family had four children, Yes their children numbered four

One was wise, and one was wicked, One was simple and a bore.

And the fourth was sweet and winsome; very young and very small

While the others asked the questions, this one scarcely spoke at all.

Said the wise one at the Seder: "Would you please explain the laws? Of the customs of the seder , will you please explain the cause ?"

And the parents proudly answered: " Long ago Jews ate in speed Ate the Paschal lamb 'ere midnight and from slavery were freed."

So we follow their example and 'ere midnight must complete

All the Seder, and we should not after twelve remain to eat."

Then did sneer the child so wicked, "What does all this mean to you ?"

And the parent's voice was bitter, grief and anger grew and grew. "If yourself you don't consider as a child of Israel, Then for you this has no meaning--You could be a slave as well !"

Then the simple child said simply, " What is this ?" and quietly, Mom and Dad told this offspring: "We were saved from slavery."

But the youngest child was silent, with no questions voiced at all. Shining eyes, so bright with wonder as the parents told them all.

Now dear children heed the lesson, and remember evermore What these parents told their children, told their children, numbered four.
haggadah Section: -- Four Children

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