Six13 – A Hamilton Chanukah (with introduction from President Barack Obama)

Don't throw away your shot to celebrate the miracles and the story of the (eight) nights!
We're big "Hamilton" fans, and so are the President and First Lady. We had the honor of performing this for them at the White House and we'll never forget their reaction.
Send this song as a PERSONALIZED VIDEO CHANUKAH CARD to your friends and family! http://www.six13.com/#!/sendcard

Check out this and all Six13 songs on iTunes: http://itunes.apple.com/us/artist/six13/id201843724
All Six13 songs are created with nothing but the human voice.

Anchored by a strong Jewish identity and driven by a mission to connect Jews around the globe with their heritage through music, professional Jewish a cappella group Six13 are the originators of today's Jewish a cappella sound. They've performed to rave reviews for millions of people -- at synagogues, religious schools, JCCs, fundraising events, B'nai Mitzvah and private affairs alike, received numerous awards for their five best-selling CDs, and been selected as finalists for casting in NBC's "The Sing-Off". To find out more about bringing Six13 to your community for an event that's truly unforgettable, visit http://www.six13.com.

PRESS CONTACT:
Michael Boxer
866.266.5613
[email protected]

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Credits:

Based on "The Story of Tonight", "Alexander Hamilton" and "My Shot” from “Hamilton: An American Musical”
Music and original lyrics by Lin-Manuel Miranda
Adapted lyrics written by Elliot Olshansky
Additional adapted lyrics by Mike Boxer
Arranged by Mike Boxer
Lead vocals performed by Mordy Weinstein, Jacob Spadaro, Craig Resmovits, Mike Boxer, Eric Dinowitz, and Rob Operman
Recorded by Colin Egan, Marianne Cheng and Mordy Weinstein
Edited by Jeff Eames
Mixed by Ed Boyer
Mastered by Dave Sperandio
Produced by Mike Boxer for Six13

Videography by Greg Starr
Video edited by Rachel Chalhoub
Additional direction by Mike Boxer
Additional filming by Josh Sauer & Gabi Resmovits

Special thanks to: our loving families, all the incredible audio and video production staff mentioned above, our alumni, Phil Kaplan, Jacob Kraus, Josh Sauer, Dan Singer, the Cederbaum family, Marty Gasper, Industry Cooperative, Twillory, Barack and Michelle Obama, Chanan Weissman, Jamila Humphries, the White House staff, and Lin-Manuel Miranda.

Six13 is:
Mike Boxer | Eric Dinowitz | Robert Operman
Craig Resmovits | Jacob Spadaro | Mordy Weinstein

(c) 2016 Six13

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Lyrics:

I tell the tale of those before me
And of their victory in the fight
And now our children tell the story
They tell the story of the lights
We'll add another one each night
Light a light to freedom, they tell the story of…

How does a humble ragtag band full of boys from yeshiva,
Rise up to triumph against unbelievable odds
In a battle our people still remember,
And celebrate with dreidels every year around December?

The five pious and loyal sons of Mattathias
Stood against bias, said, “You can’t deny us
You disagree? Try us! Our God will supply us
With strength to win, and then potato latkes we will fry us”

For every day, while praying was being barred and made harder
Our ways they tried to change, Antiochus sent his guard out
Inside, our boys knew not to forget what they were part of
Five brothers and their dad ready to win or die as martyrs

Then the Greeks came, and Hellenization reigned
Our people saw our future drip, dripping down the drain
They entered into the Temple, and the altar they profaned
Left a blood stain, our heroes got sick of the pain

Well, they spread word around, we said, “This is insane, man,
We Jews will not survive under Antiochus' reign, man
Let’s fight and send the Greeks right back from whence they came
And our bravery will win us fame, say your name, man!”

Judah, Judah Maccabee
They call me Judah, Judah Maccabee
And Antiochus says he’s number one
But just you wait, just you wait…

I am not throwing gelt in the pot (2x)
I'm straight gimmel-spinnin' while y'all are nun and shinnin'
And I'm not throwin' gelt in the pot
Make the menorah hot

See, it isn't all about presents
Cause gratitude for miracles is Chanukah's essence
The Maccabees revolted, thwarted Greek plans
Now a hora we dance, and we fry latkes in pans – we’re gonna make it hot

Yeah, we give thanks for being free
Because of the revolt led by Judah Maccabee
They defied, do or die, you and I feel great
And celebrate, as the lights we illuminate

And I am not throwing gelt in the pot…

Nes gadol
Haya po (if you're in Israel)
Haya sham (if you're anywhere)
Light up, candles in the Chanukiah
Light up, we remember Maccabees when we
Light up, light up

And I am not throwing gelt in the pot…

Ma'oz Tzur Yeshu'ati (3x)
Lekha na'eh leshabe'ah

Happy, happy Chanukah
Judah Maccabee, we sing of you
And the odds you overcame
When we're playing our dreidel game
Each night, we light those candles' flames

For the victories and miracles we celebrate…
What ya say, boys?
Happy, happy Chanukah!