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Lyrics
We are sisters we are brothers
Oy oy oy we are brothers
We are kin among all others
Oy oy oy among all others
All are equal in our nature
Oy oy oy in our nature
Equal mind and equal stature
Oy oy oy mind and stature
Where are we among the nations
Oy oy oy among the nations
Scattered far through all creations
Oy oy oy through creations
Say hello without a glance
Oy oy oy without a glance
Could be nephew could be uncle by chance
Oy oy oy by chance
Once a stranger by every sign
Oy oy oy by every sign
Turns out a neighbor by design
Oy oy oy by design
It is simple with each other
Oy oy oy with each other
Every sister every brother
Oy oy oy every brother
Every sister is a beauty
Oy oy oy is a beauty
Like Rebecca Grace and Judy
Oy oy oy and Judy
We are sisters we are brothers
Oy oy oy we are brothers
We are kin among all others
Oy oy oy among all others
Behind the song
The song’s story
Brotherhood began on paper
Ale Brider has a literary ancestor: Morris Winchevsky's poem Akhdes (Unity), published in Arbeter Fraynd on August 29, 1890. It imagined solidarity across differences of wealth and outlook. That is a more specific beginning than anonymous festive good cheer.
Mlotek Collection
The audience became authors
The Mlotek Collection recounts how singers at Bundist gatherings added verses as they went along. Participation helped the poem become folk repertoire. Its familiar tune is not securely attributed, and later verses should not all be assigned to Winchevsky.
Mlotek Collection
Our circle grows wider
Olga Anikina's 2021 Russian adaptation and Walter J. Kin's English words continue that movement toward a wider circle. In this recording, brothers and sisters belong together. Riglis Band brings the invitation into a new communal performance.
Our recording & notes
About this recording
Ale Brider's song of solidarity travels here through Olga Anikina's Russian adaptation into Walter J. Kin's English words. Sisters, brothers, strangers and neighbors meet in a call-and-response refrain.
The Yiddish lineage reaches back to Morris Winchevsky's poem Akhdes. This recording continues that thread with a new English text based on Anikina's 2021 adaptation, rather than bypassing her contribution.
Why we consider this song Jewish or Jewish-themed
The Jewish connection is a documented creative chain: Ale Brider, its Yiddish literary background, Olga Anikina's Russian adaptation and this English recording. The oy oy oy responses keep that musical character audible.
For us, the words about equality and kinship let a culturally rooted song welcome listeners beyond one community. Remembering the source and opening the circle belong together.
Credits & source
- Source song / literary lineage
- Ale Brider, traditional melody; source poem by Morris Winchevsky
- Russian adaptation
- Olga Anikina (2021)
- English words / production
- Walter J. Kin (2026)
- Performance
- Riglis Band
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