The song symbolically tells the story of Jewish history. It refers how Israel was conquered by Babylonia, how Babylonia was destroyed by Persia, how the Persians in turn were defeated by the Macedonians, and then by the Romans, and so on.

We now all take part as we sing Chad Gadya

1. An only kid! An only kid,
My father bought
For two zuzim.

Chad gadya, Chad gadya

2. Then came the cat
And ate the kid
My father bought For two zuzim.

Chad gadya, Chad gadya

3. Then came the dog
And bit the cat
That ate the kid
My father bought
For two zuzim.

Chad gadya, Chad gadya

4. Then came the stick
And beat the dog
That bit the cat
That ate the kid
My father bought For two zuzim.

Chad gadya, Chad gadya

5. Then came the fire
And burned the stick
That beat the dog
That bit the cat
That ate the kid
My father bought
For two zuzim.

Chad gadya, Chad gadya

6. Then came the water
And quenched the fire
That burned the stick
That beat the dog
That bit the cat
That ate the kid
My father bought For two zuzim.

Chad gadya, Chad gadya

7. Then came the ox
And drank the water
That quenched the fire
That burned the stick
That beat the dog
That bit the cat
That ate the kid
My father bought
For two zuzim.

Chad gadya, Chad gadya

8. Then came the butcher
And killed the ox
That drank the water
That quenched the fire
That burned the stick
That beat the dog
That bit the cat
That ate the kid
My father bought
For two zuzim.

Chad gadya, Chad gadya

9. Then came the angel of death
And slew the butcher
That killed the ox
That drank the water
That quenched the fire
That burned the stick
That beat the dog
That bit the cat
That ate the kid
My father bought
For two zuzim.

Chad gadya, Chad gadya

10. Then came the Holy One, blest be He!
And destroyed the angel of death
That slew the butcher
That killed the ox
That drank the water
That quenched the fire
That burned the stick
That beat the dog
That bit the cat
That ate the kid
My father bought
For two zuzim.

Chad gadya, Chad gadya


haggadah Section: Songs