Israeli singers to perform ode to last Holocaust survivors at UN
Amir Benayoun, Miri Mesika and David D’or will sing in Hebrew, English and Arabic
Jessica Steinberg, The Times of Israel's culture and lifestyles editor, covers the Sabra scene from south to north and back to the center
Israeli singers Amir Benayoun, Miri Mesika and David D’Or will sing “The Last Survivor,” a 2014 song composed by Benayoun, at a United Nations ceremony on January 27, commemorating International Holocaust Remembrance Day.
Benayoun told the Ynet news site that his duty is to be a voice for the survivors, given that soon none will be alive to tell their stories. He said the song, to be sung in Hebrew, Arabic and English, will be one of the tools to combat Holocaust denial.
The writer of the lyrics, political strategist Moshe Klughaft, told Ynet he thought about a future reality in which there will “only be one Jew left alive who experienced the Holocaust,” he said. “The song was written with him in mind.”
I am the last one left, From The Depths I call out to you;
My soul calls out for the hope, I stayed alive even though I died.
I am the last one left, I remained a human being even when I was just a number;
A loaf is bread is something that you eat, but under the pillow it I would always keep.
Chorus:
And in the relay race I was left alone;
The torch is relayed now from hand to hand
Take from me everything, I am like the burning bush;
You will remain here to tell the story.
I am the last one left, still attached to the Israelites in the desert;
I have no rest, I wander and roam;
All that remains are the memories from the cattle cars.
I am the last one left, returning now to the provinces of the past;
This grass is green from dread;
I call out to you, Mother Nature.
Chorus:
And in the relay race I was left alone;
The torch is relayed now from hand to hand;
Take everything from me, I am like the burning bush;
You will remain here to tell the story
There are millions of eyes staring at me now, How can I give up?
I am the last one left, to tell the story.
Written as an anthem to survivors, the song has an accompanying video, created with the help of members of Amcha, an Israeli organization that offers psychological support and aid to Holocaust survivors and their families.
Several survivors were filmed for the video, which also includes photos of the survivors as children.
