She met Abi Ofarim, a guitarist and dancer, in 1959 and subsequently married him. With her husband and without him she began to sing Hebrew and international folk songs.
In 1960 Esther got a small role in the film Exodus. In 1961 Esther won the Song Festival in Tel Aviv, where she sang "Saeni imcha bemachol" and "Neama". Two years later, Esther made the 2nd place at the Eurovision Song Contest with "T'en vas pas", representing Switzerland.
From then on, her duo with her then husband Abi Ofarim began take off. In 1966 they had their first hit in Germany with "Noch einen Tanz". Their greatest success in Germany was "Morning of my Life" in 1967, which was written by the Bee Gees. In 1968 the Ofarims had their international breakthrough with "Cinderella Rockefella", which hit the top of the charts in a number of countries including the UK. They played many live concerts in New York and London, and in 1969 they toured around the world.
As result of problems in both business, and personal relations, they divorced in 1970 [1] (in German).
Esther started her solo career with several albums and concerts. In 1984 she played in Joshua Sobol's piece "Ghetto", produced by Peter Zadek in Berlin (Germany). There she sang some songs, including "Frühling" and "Unter deinen weissen Sternen". The play was extremely successful, which was attributed in part to Esther's strong presence.
Since 1998, Esther Ofarim has been performing several concerts each year, especially in Israel and Germany. This includes annual concerts in the Hamburger Kammerspiele.
Ofarim's songs were prominently featured in the 2004 Israeli film, Walk on Water.
Neula Hi Dalti
Esther Ofarim Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Ish lo ba ish lo ba el beyti
Ish lo ba el beyti
Ein doresh liroti
Lo bayom lo baleil
Ein doresh ein shoel, ein shoel.
Yesh nidme yesh nidme lo harchek
Mishehu mitdapek mitdapek veshorek
Az arutz ve'eftach,
Zehu ruach ne'enach, ne'enach.
The lyrics of Esther Ofarim's Hebrew song "Neula Hi Dalti" convey a feeling of longing and isolation. The repeated phrase "Ish lo ba el beyti" means "no man comes to my home," emphasizing the loneliness of the singer. The following lines express a sense of futility in seeking connection ("Ein doresh liroti" - "no one seeks to see me") and a lack of hope or direction ("Lo bayom lo baleil" - "not by the day, not by the night" and "Ein doresh ein shoel, ein shoel" - "no one seeks, no one asks").
The song then transitions to a more dreamlike state, with the lines "Yesh nidme yesh nidme lo harchek/ Mishehu mishehu mitdapek" - "there is something close, something clinging/ someone is clinging, clinging and swaying." These lyrics could suggest a yearning for intimacy or the possibility of connection, even if it has not yet fully materialized. The final lines of the song describe a desire to break free from isolation and despair ("Az arutz ve'eftach/ Zehu ruach ne'enach, ne'enach" - "then I will run and open up/ this is a refreshing wind").
Overall, the lyrics of "Neula Hi Dalti" convey a sense of intense loneliness and a yearning for connection, with a hint of possible hope on the horizon. The song's sparse melody and repeated, mournful phrase "Ish lo ba el beyti" enhance its emotional impact.
Line by Line Meaning
Neula neula hi dalti
I have climbed, climbed to the top
Ish lo ba ish lo ba el beyti
No man comes to my home
Ish lo ba el beyti
No man enters my house
Ein doresh liroti
No one seeks to see me
Lo bayom lo baleil
Not in the daytime nor at night
Ein doresh ein shoel, ein shoel.
No one seeks, no one asks, no questions.
Yesh nidme yesh nidme lo harchek
There are similarities, not faraway
Mishehu mishehu mitdapek.
Someone, someone who clings
Mishehu mitdapek mitdapek veshorek
Someone who clings and runs away
Az arutz ve'eftach,
Then I will run and open up
Zehu ruach ne'enach, ne'enach.
That is a soothing wind, soothing.
Contributed by Austin W. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Элиза Михайлова
Прекрасна в возрасте!!!
A. Rek
Eine ganz große Künstlerin.