Written by Herman Yablokoff .

http://www.Myzeidi.com

Author was inspired to write this song after seeing children peddlers during German occupation of Grodno in WWI.

Current version is in Yiddish and Russian and incorporates new lyrics that have been added during WWII.

It describes the daily life of a blind jewish orphan boy, who has to sell cigarettes and matches to stay alive...

A cold night, foggy, and darkness everywhere

A boy stands sadly and looks around.

Only a wall protects him from the rain

He holds a basket in his hand

and his eyes beg everyone silently:

Refrain

Buy my cigarettes!

Dry ones, not wet from the rain

Buy real cheap,

Buy and have pity on me.

Save me from hunger now

Buy my matches, wonderful ones, the best,

and with that you will uplift an orphan.

My screaming and my running will be for naught.

Nobody wants to buy from me-

I will have to perish like a dog.,,,

My Farther lost his life fighting during the war

German killed my Mother in the Ghetto with a rifle

my Sister was enslaved,

I have been hurt myself

And lost my sights...

.....

КУПИТЕ ПАПИРОСЫ!

Ночь туманна и дождлива, за окном темно,

Мальчик маленький рыдает только об одном.

Он стоит, к стене прижатый

И на вид чуть-чуть горбатый,

И поет на языке родном:

Друзья, купите папиросы!

Подходи, пехота и матросы!

Подходите, пожалейте,

Сироту меня согрейте!

Посмотрите, ноги мои босы.

Мой отец в бою кровавов жизнь свою отдал,

Немец Маму из винтовки в гетто расстрелял,

А сестра моя в неволе

Сам я ранен в чистом поле --

Там своё я зрение потерял.

Друзья, купите папиросы!

Подходи, пехота и матросы!

Подходите, пожалейте,

Сироту меня согрейте!

Посмотрите, ноги мои босы.

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