Anakhnu Lo Tzarichim lyrics & English translation
אנחנו לא צריכים
We Don't Need — Shlomo Artzi, 1970. Words by Avi Koren (words) & Shmuel Imberman (music). Below you get the full Hebrew lyrics with nikud, a Latin transliteration and an English translation of every line, plus the words worth memorising.
Sing it karaoke-styleThe story behind the song
'Anakhnu Lo Tzarichim' ('We Don't Need') is one of Shlomo Artzi's earliest signatures, recorded for his 1970 debut and revived on the 1998 album 'Ahavtam'. Words by Avi Koren, music by Shmuel Imberman: a quiet prayer for almost nothing — rain in its season, spring flowers, a loved one's return — from people who have already wept and scarred and stood every test.
Full lyrics, line by line
- כבר יבשו עינינו מדמעות,Kvar yavshu einenu mi'dma'ot,Our eyes have already dried from tears,
- ופינו כבר נותר אילם בלי קול.U'finu kvar notar e'ilam b'li kol.and our mouth has been left mute, without a voice.
- מה עוד נבקש, אמור מה עוד?Ma od nivakesh, emor ma od?What more shall we ask, say what more?
- כמעט ביקשנו לנו את הכל.K'm'at bikashnu lanu et hakol.We have almost asked for everything.
- את הגשם תן רק בעיתו,Et hagshem ten rak b'ito,Give the rain only in its time,
- ובאביב פזר לנו פרחים,U'va'aviv pazer lanu prachim,and in spring scatter us flowers,
- ותן שיחזור שוב לביתו,U'ten she'yachzor shuv l'bayito,and let him return home again,
- יותר מזה אנחנו לא צריכים.Yoter mize anachnu lo tzarichim.More than this we do not need.
- כבר כאבנו אלף צלקות,Kvar ka'avnu elef tzli'kot,We have already suffered a thousand scars,
- עמוק בפנים הסתרנו אנחה.Amok b'fanim hestarnu anacha.Deep inside we hid a sigh.
- כבר יבשו עינינו מלבכותKvar yavshu einenu mi'liv'kotOur eyes have already dried from crying
- אמור שכבר עמדנו במבחן.Emor she'kvar amad'nu b'miv'chan.Say that we have already stood the test.
- את הגשם תן רק בעיתו,Et hagshem ten rak b'ito,Give the rain only in its time,
- ובאביב פזר לנו פרחים,U'va'aviv pazer lanu prachim,and in spring scatter us flowers,
- ותן לה להיות שנית איתוU'ten la l'hiyot shenit itoand let her be with him again
- יותר מזה אנחנו לא צריכים.Yoter mize anachnu lo tzarichim.More than this we do not need.
- כבר כיסינו תל ועוד אחד,Kvar chisinu tel v'od echad,We have already covered one mound and another,
- טמנו את ליבנו בין ברושים.Tamnu et libeinu bein broshim.We buried our hearts among cypresses.
- עוד מעט תפרוץ האנחהOd m'at tifrotz ha'anachaSoon the sigh will burst forth
- קבל זאת כתפילה מאוד אישית.Kabel zot k'tfila m'od ishit.Accept this as a very personal prayer.
- את הגשם תן רק בעיתו,Et hagshem ten rak b'ito,Give the rain only in its time,
- ובאביב פזר לנו פרחים,U'va'aviv pazer lanu prachim,and in spring scatter us flowers,
- ותן לנו לשוב ולראותוU'ten lanu l'shuv u'l'rotoand let us return and see him
- יותר מזה אנחנו לא צריכים.Yoter mize anachnu lo tzarichim.More than this we do not need.
- את הגשם תן רק בעיתו,Et hagshem ten rak b'ito,Give the rain only in its time,
- ובאביב פזר לנו פרחים,U'va'aviv pazer lanu prachim,and in spring scatter us flowers,
- ותן לנו לשוב ולראותו -U'ten lanu l'shuv u'l'roto -and let us return and see him -
- יותר מזה אנחנו לא צריכים.Yoter mize anachnu lo tzarichim.More than this we do not need.
Words from this song
- כברalready
- עינינוour eyes
- דמעותtears
- פהmouth
- אילםmute
- קולvoice / sound
- מהwhat
- עודmore / still
- נבקשwe will ask
- כמעטalmost
- ביקשנוwe asked
- הכלeverything
- גשםrain
- תןgive
What does “Anakhnu Lo Tzarichim” mean?
אנחנו לא צריכים translates as “We Don't Need”. It was released in 1970, performed by Shlomo Artzi with words by Avi Koren (words) & Shmuel Imberman (music). Read the line-by-line English translation above, or sing it with the words highlighted in time with the music.
About Shlomo Artzi
Shlomo Artzi was born in Tel Aviv in 1949, the son of a career army officer, and began singing in the army entertainment troupe during his conscription — the classic launchpad for Israeli performers of his generation.
His debut single 'Anakhnu Lo Tzarichim' (1970) was an instant hit and gave its name to his first album; over five decades he has released more than 30 albums and sold over 1.5 million copies, more than any other Israeli solo artist.