A Bisele Mazl (in Russian) | performed by Olga Anikina, the poet who wrote this text

A Bisele Mazl (in Russian) | performed by Olga Anikina, the poet who wrote this text "A Bisele Mazl" (Yiddish for "a little bit of luck") is a beloved Yiddish folk song, known across the Jewish diaspora since beginning of 20th century. This is its Russian-language version, "Gorstochka Schastya" ("A Handful of Happiness"), performed here by Olga Anikina, who also wrote this Russian text herself, in 2009. The song is a quiet request for just a small handful of happiness, and the human warmth that carries us through hard times and good ones alike. Performed by: Olga Anikina Music: traditional Yiddish folk melody Russian text: Olga Anikina (2009) inspired by Yiddish folk song --- History and cultural context In Yiddish, the song was made famous by the actor and singer Bentsion Vitler, for whom it became a signature piece. It was also performed by The Barry Sisters, Molly Picon, Yefim Alexandrov, and others. In Jewish culture the word "mazl" means luck and good fortune, and appears in dozens of everyday phrases and blessings, among them "mazl tov." --- 🎶 Текст песни Вот мне бы хоть чуточку счастья Хоть горсточку счастья бы мне И ставни распахнуты настежь А солнца не видно в окне Но всё что прошу я у неба Уместится даже в горсти Мне бы малую горсточку счастья Горсточку чтоб было легче нести Мне бы малую горсточку счастья Горсточку чтоб было легче нести А в чем я был счастлив когда то То нынче лишь дым да зола Не нужно мне славы и злата Мне б только немножко тепла Но счастие тоненькой струйкой Стекает меж пальцев моих Ах верните мне горсточку счастья Горсточку счастья хоть на миг Ах верните мне горсточку счастья Мазл а биселе глик Приходят за бедами беды И хрипло кричит вороньё И бродит по белому свету Бездомное сердце моё И я собираюсь в дорогу И мне очень нужно найти Эту малую горсточку счастья Горсточку чтоб было легче нести Эту малую горсточку счастья Горсточку чтоб было легче нести --- Popularity Thanks to the project "Jewish songs. In Russian," this song can now also be heard in Russian. Fun facts The Russian text keeps one Yiddish line, "mazl a bisele glik," which helps the song feel authentic. The song's title has become a saying in its own right, quoted in books, plays, and films. Olga Anikina's Russian text reads so naturally that listeners often mistake it for the original. Listeners have thanked Olga for keeping Yiddish song alive, called her Russian text the most beautiful version they know, and said the performance moved them. One wrote simply: "Thank you for putting your soul into the words." #ABiseleMazl #GorstochkaSchastya #JewishMusic #YiddishSong #RigliMusic #OlgaAnikina