Ocho Kandelikas ~ Eight Little Candles

"Ocho Kandelikas," which literally means "Eight Little Candles" in the Ladino language, is a Sephardic Jewish song that celebrates the holiday of Hanukkah.  It was written in 1983 by the Jewish-American composer Flory Jagoda, shown in this photo.  She has recorded it many times, but this is the best version I've found.  It's only two minutes long, so listen to it on YouTube at the bottom of this page.

Words

#1:  Hanukah linda sta aki
Ocho kandelas para mi
Hanukah linda sta aki
Ocho kandelas para mi, oh...

Chorus:  Una kandelika, dos kandelikas
Tres kandelikas, kuatro kandelikas
Sintyu kandelikas, sej kandelikas
Siete kandelikas, ocho kandelas para mi

#2:  Muchas fiestas vo fazer
Kon alegria i plazer
Muchas fiestas vo fazeri
Kon alegria i plazer, oh...

Chorus:  Una kandelika, dos kandelikas
Tres kandelikas, kuatro kandelikas
Sintyu kandelikas, sej kandelikas
Siete kandelikas, ocho kandelas para mi

#3:  Los pastelikos vo kumer
Kon almendrikas i la myel
Los pastelikos vo kumer
Kon almendrikas i la myel, oh...

Chorus:  Una kandelika, dos kandelikas
Tres kandelikas, kuatro kandelikas
Sintyu kandelikas, sej kandelikas
Siete kandelikas, ocho kandelas para mi

Translation

#1:  It's here, beautiful Hanukkah, eight little candles for me,
It's here, beautiful Hanukkah, eight little candles for me, oh...
#2:  I'll throw plenty of parties, full of joy and pleasure,
I'll throw plenty of parties, full of joy and pleasure, oh...
#3:  I'll eat little pastries, with almonds and honey,
I'll eat little pastries, with almonds and honey, oh...

Chorus

One little candle, two little candles, Three little candles, four little candles, Five little candles, six little candles, Seven little candles, eight little candles for me.

The fourth day of Hanukkah begins at sunset this evening, so use the helper candle to light the fourth candle on the menorah.  The sun sets today at 4:40 p.m. in St. Louis, Missouri.