Commentary: I parodied "To Life" on Monday, as Goodwife Envy & I left the church after the first of the week's three funeral Masses, heading to our separate cars, thereafter to meet Brother Envy for lunch:
"To lunch, to lunch,L'Chaim!
L'Chaim, to lunch, to lunch!"I parodied affectionately, because I revel in "To Life's" proper lyrics.
"To our prosperity,L'Chaim!
To our good health and happiness,
And most important—
"To life! To life!
L'Chaim! L'Chaim! To life!…
"God would like us to be joyful
Even when our hearts lie panting on the floor,
How much more can we be joyful
When there's really something to be joyful for?…I am particularly partial to the backhalf of the song, when the local Cossacks, normally the dread foes of the Anatevka community, join in the celebration:
"Zachava zdarovia,
Heaven bless you both, na zdorovie.
To your health, and may we live together in peace!
Zachava zdarovia,
Heaven bless you both, na zdorovie.
To your health, and may we live together in peace!
May you both be favored with the future of your choice!
May you live to see a thousand reasons to rejoice!…
"We'll raise our glass and sip a drop of schnapps
In honor of the great good luck that favors you,
We know that when good fortune favors two such men
It stands to reason that we deserve it, too!
To us and our good fortune!
Be happy! Be healthy! Long life!
And if our good fortune never comes,
Here's to whatever comes,
Drink L'Chaim! To life!
"To life!"
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