Oh, come let us welcome sweet Sabbath the Queen!

The cobbler abandoned his awl and his thread,
The tailor's brisk needle now sleeps in its bed.
Father has bathed, washed his hair, and he says:
Sweet Sabbath is near,
Sweet Sabbath is here, Oh, come let us welcome sweet
Sabbath the Queen!

The storekeeper locked and bolted his store,
The teamster unbridled his horse at the door,
The sexton runs hither and thither and says:
The sun sets in the sky, Sweet Sabbath is nigh,
Oh come let us welcome sweet Sabbath the Queen!

The white-bearded cantor has hastened along
To welcome the Sabbath with blessing and song,
Dear mother is lighting the candles and prays:
Day of holiness and rest,
Forever be blest,

Oh come let us welcome sweet Sabbath the Queen!

Translated from the Hebrew by Harry H. Fein