This video presents a parody of “Raise Your Glass” by P!nk from the Maccabeats, an all-male Jewish a cappella group that originally formed as Yeshiva University’s student vocal choir. The lyrics, which can be seen below, tell the Purim story and some of the spiritual messages behind it and encourage people to join in the celebrations and customs of the holiday. Strongly committed to the integration of traditional and secular wisdom, the Maccabeats perform an eclectic array of Jewish, American, and Israeli songs.
The Maccabeats’ Purim Song
Stand stand for a tale so grand
Shushan is the place where it all began
The hidden miracle
One man, second in command
Slay all the Jews was his wicked plan
A scheme so miserable
He chose a day for the disaster
It’s ironic what came after
He didn’t know a girl named Esther
Would turn it upside down
So raise your glass if you can see the hidden meaning,
it’s right in front of you,
we will never be never be anything but proud
to tell the story,
v’nahafoch hu (It was turned upside down)
Won’t you come on and come on and raise your glass
just come on and come on and raise your glass
Esther became the queen
Cuz’ God was pulling strings from behind the scenes
She wore the royal crown
3 days the Jews just prayed,
Queen Esther risked her life went to save the day
She took Haman down
The streets were filled with celebration
Everyone ate Hamantashen
Jubilation for the nation
Ken tihiyeh lanu… (So should it be for us)
So raise your glass if you can see, the hidden meaning,
it’s right in front of you, we will never be never be anything but proud
to tell the story,
v’nahafoch hu
Won’t you come on and come on and raise your glass
just come on and come on and raise your glass
So get your costumes on
Make noise and drown out Haman
Don’t drink like a fool
And remember and remember
What the day’s about…
So raise your glass if you see God in hidden places,
He’s right in front of you,
We will never be never be anything but proud
to tell our story
v’nahafoch hu
So raise your glass if you can see the hidden meaning,
it’s right in front of you,
we will never be never be anything but proud
to tell the story,
v’nahafoch hu
Won’t you come on and come on and raise your glass
just come on and come on and raise your glass…
(Lyrics © 2011 David Block and Immanuel Shalev)