Born on the 19th November 1957, the youngest of nine children, in the poor Tel Aviv suburb of Hatikvah, she became a local and then national success story, the subject of great pride for many Israelis of Yemenite origin.
Inspired by a love of her Yemenite-Jewish culture, the appeal of her musical art quickly spread to a wider Middle Eastern audience, somehow bridging the divide between Israel and the Arab countries. As her career progressed, the multi-lingual Haza was able to switch between traditional and more commercial singing styles without jeopardising her credibility. The music, too, fused elements of Eastern and Western instrumentation, orchestration, and dance-beat. Success followed in Europe and the Americas; during her singing career she collected many platinum and gold discs.
She died on the 23rd February 2000, at the age of forty-two, of AIDS-related pneumonia.
Show Me
עפרה חזה Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Sitting around the table
Learning the lesson of years
So far away in heaven
Someone is shedding a tear
Nobody knows, nobody knows
Show me, show me the light
Open the door
Tell me, tell me I'm right
Show me some more
Dancing around the table
Watching the candles light up
Feeling the fire inside me
Moving my lips to the cup
Everyone knows, everyone knows
When they pay, they will stay another day
Show me, show me the light
Open the door
Hold me, hold me so tight
Leave me no more
Im en ani li mi li mi li
Im en ani li mi li mi
Show me, show me the light
Open the door
Tell me, tell me I'm right
Show me some more
Show me, show me the light
Open the door
Hold me, hold me so tight
Leave me no more
Im en ani li mi li mi li
Im en ani li mi li mi
Im en ani li mi li mi li
The song "Show Me" by עפרה חזה talks about learning the lesson of years by sitting around the table with family or friends. While everyone is enjoying themselves and feeling the fire inside, someone is shedding a tear far away in heaven. The lyrics speak about nobody knowing who will stay or pay another day. It is a sad truth that no one knows what tomorrow holds and who will be left behind.
The chorus shows a plea to be shown the light and to be told that they are right. The singer wants to be held tight and not left alone. The repetition of "Im en ani li mi li mi li" means "If I am not for myself, who will be for me?" a famous Jewish saying. It shows that the singer is looking for validation and assurance from someone that they are not alone.
In summary, the song talks about the lessons of life, the unpredictable nature of it, and the desire to not be alone. The repetition of the chorus shows the desperation the singer feels in wanting to be shown the light and to be held tight.
Line by Line Meaning
Show me, show me
The singer is asking to be shown the way, the truth, enlightenment.
Sitting around the table
The scene is of people gathered together for a meal or a meeting.
Learning the lesson of years
The group is reflecting on the wisdom and experience gained over time.
So far away in heaven
There is someone or something beyond reach that is being considered.
Someone is shedding a tear
Someone is affected emotionally by what is being discussed or remembered.
Nobody knows, nobody knows
Uncertainty and mystery surround the situation being contemplated.
Who will pay, who will stay another day
The cost or commitment involved is still unclear, and a decision needs to be made.
Show me, show me the light
The artist is asking to be guided towards clarity and wisdom.
Open the door
The artist is asking for access to something closed off or hidden.
Tell me, tell me I'm right
The artist is seeking validation and affirmation.
Show me some more
The singer is not satisfied with what has been shown so far and wants more.
Dancing around the table
The spirit is lively and joyful, and there is a sense of celebration.
Watching the candles light up
The candles symbolize hope and enlightenment, and their glow is mesmerizing.
Feeling the fire inside me
The singer is experiencing inspiration and motivation.
Moving my lips to the cup
There is a sense of communion and togetherness through sharing a drink.
Everyone knows, everyone knows
The truth and the situation are no longer a mystery, and everyone is aware.
When they pay, they will stay another day
A promise or commitment has been made, and it comes with a cost.
Hold me, hold me so tight
The singer is seeking comfort, security, and intimacy.
Leave me no more
The singer wants to be protected from loss or abandonment.
Im en ani li mi li mi li
If I am not for myself, who will be for me?
Im en ani li mi li mi
If I am only for myself, what am I?
Im en ani li mi li mi li
If not now, when?
Writer(s): Aloni Bezalel, Haza Ofra, Peterson Frank
Contributed by Chloe V. Suggest a correction in the comments below.