Ocho Kandelikas
"Ocho Kandelikas" ("Eight Little Candles") is a Judaeo-Spanish (Ladino) song celebrating the holiday of Hanukkah, written by the Jewish-American composer Flory Jagoda in 1983.[1]
The song is sung in Ladino, an Old Spanish-derived language traditionally associated with the Sephardic Jewish community.[2] The song is often performed in an Argentine tango-rhythm with accompanying accordion and violins. The lyrics of the song describe a child's joy of lighting the candles on the menorah every night of Hanukkah.
Lyrics
Ladino (transliterated)
π Hanukka linda sta aki,
ocho kandelas para mi. π
Refrain:
O β Una kandelika,
dos kandelikas,
trez kandelikas,
kuatro kandelikas,
sintyu kandelikas,
sej kandelikas,
siete kandelikas,
ocho kandelas para mi
π Muchas fiestas vo fazer,
kon alegriyas y plazer. π
Refrain
π Los pastelikos vo kumer,
kon almendrikas y la myel. π
Refrain
Spanish
π JanucΓ‘ linda estΓ‘ aquΓ,
ocho candelas para mi. π
O β Una candelita,
dos candelitas,
tres candelitas,
cuatro candelitas,
cinco candelitas,
seis candelitas,
siete candelitas,
ocho candelas para mi.
π Muchas fiestas van hacer,
con alegrΓas y placer. π
π Los pastelitos voy a comer,
con almendritas y miel. π
π Beautiful Hanukkah is here,
eight candles for me. π
O β One little candle,
two little candles,
three little candles,
four little candles,
five little candles,
six little candles,
seven little candles,
eight candles for me.
π Many parties to have,
with happiness and pleasure. π
π Little pastries to eat,
with little almonds and honey. π
Melody
Performances
The song has been recorded and performed by:
- Sarah Aroeste, an American singer and composer, on her album: HanukΓ‘[3]
- Erran Baron Cohen
- Hip Hop HoodΓos, a multilingual rock group
- Flory Jagoda, a Bosnian-born American musician and singer-songwriter
- Yasmin Levy, an Israeli singer-songwriter of Ladino music
- Pink Martini, a Portland-based lounge orchestra
- Idina Menzel,[4] an American actress, performer, singer and songwriter
- Vocolot, a female a cappella ensemble
- Voice of the Turtle, on their album Circle of Fire, Boston 1986
- Diego's Umbrella, American Gypsy rock band, 2018
References
- ^ "Ocho Kandelikas". Tablet. 11 December 2008. Retrieved 21 January 2026.
- ^ "Jewish Virtual Library - Sephardim". Retrieved 15 March 2011.
- ^ Hannah S. Pressman (11 November 2021). "The First Ever All-Ladino Hanukkah Album Is Here". Retrieved 21 January 2026.
- ^ "Idina Menzel β Official Site". Retrieved 1 November 2019.