Ocho Kandelikas

"Ocho Kandelikas" (lit. 'Eight Little Candles') is a Ladino song celebrating the holiday of Hanukkah, written by the Jewish-American composer Flory Jagoda in 1983.

The song is sung in Ladino, an Old Spanish-derived language traditionally associated with the Sephardic Jewish community. The song is often performed in an Argentine tango-rhythm with accompanying accordion and violins. The lyrics of the song describe a child's joy of lighting the candles on the menorah.

Performances

The song has been recorded and performed by:

• Sarah Aroeste, an American singer and composer, on her album: Hanuká
• Erran Baron Cohen
• Los Desterrados, a London-based jazz flamenco group
• Hip Hop Hoodios, a multilingual rock group
• Yasmin Levy, an Israeli singer-songwriter of Ladino music
• Pink Martini, a Portland-based lounge orchestra
• Idina Menzel, an American actress, performer, singer and songwriter
• Alberto Mizrahi, a chazzan (cantor)
• Bella Ríos, a Cuban-Canadian musician, singer, and songwriter
• Vocolot, a female Acappella ensemble
• Voice of the Turtle, on their album: Circle of Fire; Boston 1986

Lyrics

Refrain

Ladino (transliterated)	English	Spanish
O — Una kandelika, dos kandelikas, trez kandelikas, kuatro kandelikas, sintyu kandelikas, sej kandelikas, siete kandelikas, ocho kandelas para mi.	O — One little candle, two little candles, three little candles, four little candles, five little candles, six little candles, seven little candles, eight candles for me.	O — Una candelita, dos candelitas, tres candelitas, cuatro candelitas, cinco candelitas, seis candelitas, siete candelitas, ocho candelas para mi.

Verses

Ladino (transliterated)	English	Spanish
Hanukka linda sta aki, ocho kandelas para mi. (×2)	Beautiful Hanukkah is here, eight candles for me. (×2)	Janucá linda está aquí, ocho candelas para mi. (×2)
Muchas fiestas vo fazer, kon alegriyas y plazer. (×2)	Many parties to have, with happiness and pleasure. (×2)	Muchas fiestas van hacer, con alegrías y placer. (×2)
Los pastelikos vo kumer, kon almendrikas y la myel. (×2)	Little pastries to eat, with little almonds and honey. (×2)	Los pastelitos voy a comer, con almendritas y miel. (×2)