Colored Candles
Eli Nathan Lyrics
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he was so proud that he'd come so far
with the greatest of ease, he moved through high society
that grocer boy from the city streets
well he long since gone and changed his name
it was the only way that he could play the game
with the neighbors like the richardsons, the williams and the johns, what could he do
with a name like cohen?
but he had one memory,
yes his father he did see
lighting colored candles on the window sill
eight days a year he'd light
another candle every night
it lingered in his memory still
in december came home from school
his little girl called sue
she held a picture of an xmas tree she drew
all the kids in my class have one
she said with a tear,
and could we have one in our home this year
he didn't know what to do
with his little daughter sue
although her desires he wished to fufill
"my dear sue listen to me,
there's something better than a tree,
it lingers in my memory still"
the next day he came home from work
with a menora in his hand
his dear wife said to him "Joel!
i just dont understand,
we've worked so hard to get to
where we are today,
and now what will we do?
what will the neighbors say?
but he light those candles anyways, yes there were 5 that night
and from his window to the street
glowed the candle light
they were burning for an hour
maybe a little more
when suddenly Mr. Richardson stood there by the door
He said would it be ok
if a word to you i'd say
there's something about those candles you must know
yes they bring back memories,
of my father i still see
as he light those candles many years ago-2x
he stepped outside on that night
and boy was he surprised!
he couldn't believe what he saw
he couldn't believe his eyes
from all the houses on the block
glowed candle light
from their window sills
and out unto the night
yes they had one memory
yes their father's they did see
lighting colored candles on the window sill
eight days a year they'd light
another candle every night
it lingered in their memory still - 2x
The song "Colored Candles" by Eli Nathan tells the story of a man who, despite his success in high society, cannot shake the memories of his humble upbringing. He recalls his father lighting colored candles on the windowsill during Hanukkah, a reminder of their traditions and heritage. When his daughter asks for a Christmas tree, he is torn between his desire to please her and his adherence to his own beliefs. In the end, he chooses to light the menorah and continues a tradition that brings back memories for his neighbors as well.
The lyrics delve into the conflict between tradition and assimilation, a struggle that is not unique to Jewish culture. The singer feels the pressure of assimilating into high society and changing his name to blend in. However, the memories of his father and the traditions of his community are still strong, and he chooses to honor them in his own way. This theme of reconciling tradition and modernity is one that many people can relate to, regardless of their cultural or religious background.
The song also highlights the power of memory and the importance of passing down traditions and stories to future generations. Through the act of lighting colored candles on the windowsill, the singer is able to connect with his own past and keep that memory alive for his daughter and his neighbors. The song encourages listeners to cherish their own memories and to create new ones that will be passed down for generations to come.
Line by Line Meaning
from his block of rolling lawns and fancy cars
He came from a neighborhood full of wealthy people.
he was so proud that he'd come so far
He was proud of his success, despite the difficult circumstances.
with the greatest of ease, he moved through high society
He easily fit in with the upper class.
that grocer boy from the city streets
He was once a grocer on the city streets.
well he long since gone and changed his name
He changed his name to fit in with the high society crowd.
it was the only way that he could play the game
Changing his name was necessary to fit in with the wealthy people.
with the neighbors like the richardsons, the williams and the johns, what could he do
He felt like he didn't fit in with his wealthy neighbors.
with a name like cohen?
His original name didn't fit in with his wealthy neighbors.
but he had one memory,
He had one positive memory.
yes his father he did see
He saw his father in this memory.
lighting colored candles on the window sill
His father lit candles on the window sill for a special occasion.
eight days a year he'd light
His father would only light the candles for eight days.
another candle every night
His father would light a new candle every night.
it lingered in his memory still
The memory of his father lighting candles stayed with him.
in december came home from school
December was an important month for his family.
his little girl called sue
He has a daughter named Sue.
she held a picture of an xmas tree she drew
His daughter drew a picture of a Christmas tree.
all the kids in my class have one
All of her classmates have Christmas trees.
she said with a tear,
She was upset about not having a Christmas tree.
and could we have one in our home this year
She wanted a Christmas tree for her own home.
he didn't know what to do
He was unsure of how to respond to his daughter's request.
with his little daughter sue
He was considering his daughter's feelings.
although her desires he wished to fufill
He wanted to make his daughter happy, but also stay true to his own beliefs.
my dear sue listen to me,
He wanted to explain something important to his daughter.
there's something better than a tree,
He believed there was a more important tradition to uphold.
it lingers in my memory still
This tradition is still very important to him.
the next day he came home from work
He had an idea about how to make his daughter happy.
with a menora in his hand
He decided to celebrate Hanukkah instead of Christmas.
his dear wife said to him "Joel!
His wife was not sure about celebrating Hanukkah.
i just dont understand,
She did not understand why they should celebrate Hanukkah.
we've worked so hard to get to
They have worked hard to be successful.
where we are today,
They are in a good place in their lives.
and now what will we do?
She was concerned about how their neighbors would react.
what will the neighbors say?
She was worried about their reputation among their neighbors.
but he light those candles anyways, yes there were 5 that night
Despite his wife's concerns, he decided to light the Hanukkah candles.
and from his window to the street glowed the candle light
The candles were visible from outside their home.
they were burning for an hour
The candles burned for an extended period of time.
maybe a little more
The candles may have burned for even longer.
when suddenly Mr. Richardson stood there by the door
One of their neighbors noticed the Hanukkah candles.
he said would it be ok
The neighbor was curious about their celebration.
if a word to you i'd say
He asked if he could speak with them about it.
there's something about those candles you must know
The candles had a special meaning to their neighbor.
yes they bring back memories,
The candles reminded their neighbor of something special.
of my father i still see
The candles reminded their neighbor of his father.
as he light those candles many years ago-2x
His father also lit candles for Hanukkah.
he stepped outside on that night
The neighbor was intrigued and interested in their celebration.
and boy was he surprised!
The neighbor was very surprised by the sight of all the candles.
he couldn't believe what he saw
The neighbor was in shock and awe.
he couldn't believe his eyes
The sight of all the candles was unexpected for him.
from all the houses on the block
All the houses on the block had lit candles.
glowed candle light
The candles illuminated the neighborhood.
from their window sills
The candles were visible from the windowsill of each home.
and out unto the night
The candles could be seen from far away in the night.
yes they had one memory
All of the neighbors shared one positive memory.
yes their father's they did see
Their fathers were part of this tradition.
lighting colored candles on the window sill
The tradition involved lighting candles on a windowsill.
eight days a year they'd light
The tradition was to light candles for eight days each year.
another candle every night
A new candle was lit every night of the eight-day celebration.
it lingered in their memory still - 2x
This tradition was still very important to all of the neighbors.
Contributed by Hunter N. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@brakhahoward
I grew up with this song...... glad I found it...... thank you xx
@rosmill1
i love this song, sing it each year! so heartwarming... thanx for posting
@RabbiTzviPittinskyTechRav
My most favorite Chanukah song!
@ZevMeth_originaljewishmusic
Agreed!
@teris7368
👍🏻
@darcyasher2716
The most brilliant part of this song are the Bells that play right when Mr. Richardson rings the door bell at 2:42. Jews might not realize that these are actually Christmas Bells, and the sound is meant to evoke Hark the Angels, a famous Christmas Carol. This was a brilliant stroke by the writer. I hope you know that your גאונות was caught by at least this listener!