From the recording With This Flame
A ballad that tells the underdog story of Hanukkah.
Steven J. Kohn: piano
Rachel Kohn: flute
Clark Paddock: bass
Joe Guerra: guitar
Seth Rosenstein: drums
Lyrics
THE SMALL JEWEL OF DECEMBER
Words & Music by Karen J Kamenetsky
Antiochus tried to take away our freedom
He said you can only pray the way I do
When we refused, he sent an army to defeat us
They were many, we were few
But Judah Maccabee and all his brothers
Said we will not accept this fate
Against all odds they did defeat that mighty army
And that is why we celebrate
Hanukkah the small jewel of December
It is a festival of light
A moment at the darkest time of year
When eight small candles in a row
Remind us might does not make right
We marched across the steps of our holy temple
To rekindle the Eternal light
We only had one jug of oil
It should have burned for just one day
Instead it lasted for eight nights
When tyranny is found and casts a shadow
And the mighty try to dominate the small
We must rise up and shine a light into that darkness
Like eight small candles standing tall
Hanukkah the small jewel of December
It is a festival of light
A moment at the darkest time of year
When eight small candles in a row
Remind us might does not make right
Hanukkah the small jewel of December
It is a festival of light
A moment at the darkest time of year
When eight small candles in a row
Remind us might does not make right