Thought to have been written in the 13th century, Ma’oz Tzur is a liturgical poem traditionally sung by Ashkenazi Jews after lighting the festival lights on Hannukah. The lyrics, provided below in Hebrew and English, present a poetic retelling of Jewish history, celebrating the deliverance of the Jewish people from four ancient enemies: the Egyptians (Pharaoh), the Romans (Nebuchadnezzar), the Persians (Haman) and the Greeks (Antiochus). Adapted from an old German folk-song, the popular melody presented in the above video is sung almost universally by Jews on Hannukah, both for Maoz Tzur and other Hannukah songs. Following the lyrics, listen to a traditional Breslov Hasidic melody and a traditional Moroccan melody for Maoz Tzur.Â
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