Here my tale of a certain young man
Stayed up all night 'til he thought of a plan
He wanted a girl who would be his delight
A girl who was pretty, and witty, and bright
Oh, tumbala, tumbala, tumbalalaika!
Tumbala, tumbala, tumbalalaika!
Tumbalalaika shpil balalaika
Tumbalalaika, frylach zol zeyn
Tell me my pretty one, tell me if you know
What needs no rain, and yet it can grow
Tell what can blossom
And bloom through the years
Tell what can yearn, and cry without tears
Oh, tumbala, tumbala, tumbalalaika!
Tumbala, tumbala, tumbalalaika!
Tumbalalaika shpil balalaika
Tumbalalaika, frylach zol zeyn
Oh, foolish boy, surely you know
A rock needs no rain, and yet it can grow
True love can blossom
And bloom through the years
And a heart that is yearning
Cries without tears
Oh, tumbala, tumbala, tumbalalaika!
Tumbala, tumbala, tumbalalaika!
Tumbalalaika shpil balalaika
Tumbalalaika, frylach zol zeyn
Oh, tumbala, tumbala, tumbalalaika!
Tumbala, tumbala, tumbalalaika!
Tumbalalaika shpil balalaika
Tumbalalaika, frylach zol zeyn
Tumbalalaika shpil balalaika
Tumbalalaika, frylach zol zeyn