Sieges make us think of medieval walled cities, but elderly Jerusalemites still remember the siege they lived through during the War of Independence – and may still retain some of the habits it engrained. A cheerful song about tough times
One Cup of Water
Words: Dan Almagor
Music: Danny Granot
I had water
Just one cup
Jerusalem was then
A city all shut up
I sipped from the cup
A tiny drop or two
Just to wet my lips
Little else to do
I had water
Just one cup
Jerusalem besieged
Was all shut up
I brushed my teeth and gums
And the water left behind
I used to wash my pants
Clean of two months’ grime
Just a little blackened
Once my pants were washed
The same water served
To clean a pair of socks
I had water …
I washed my socks quite clean
And the water left behind
I used to scrub the floor
Clean of two months’ grime
The sopping, soaking rag
I twisted with some ease
Watering a lily
Or two with what I’d squeezed
I had water …
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