Adaptation of Hebrew prayer lyrics, Arrangement, Lead and Backup Vocals, Lead and Rhythm and Slide Acoustic Guitars, Bass Guitar, engineering of Drums tracks by Avigdor Zeitlin.
The melody is somewhat based on “The Boy Who Wouldn’t Hoe Corn”, a traditional folk song. The original song is also known as “A Lazy Farmer Boy”.
The lyrics are from Psalms 126.
This prayer is said before Grace After Meals on Shabbat, Holidays and other special days).
Transliteration:
Shir hama-alot beshuv Ha-Shem
et shivat tzion, hayinu k’cholmim.
Az yimaleh s'chok pinu,
u’lshoneinu rinah. Az yomru
bagoyim, higdil Ha-Shem
la’asot im eleh.
Higdil Ha-Shem la’asot imanu,
hayinu simechim. Shuvah Ha-Shem
et shevitenu ka’afikim bangev.
Hazorim bedimah berinah yiktzoru.
Haloch yelech u’vacho,
noseh meshech hazara,
bo yavo berinah noseh alumotav.
Translation:
A song of ascents. When the L-rd will return the exiles of Zion, we will have been like dreamers. Then our mouth will be filled with laughter, and our tongue with songs of joy; then will they say among the nations, “The L-rd has done great things for these.”
The L-rd has done great things for us; we were joyful. L-rd, return our exiles as streams to arid soil. Those who sow in tears will reap with songs of joy. He goes along weeping, carrying the bag of seed; he will surely return with songs of joy, carrying his sheaves.
(Translation and transliteration by Chabad.Org)