FRUNZER ESHALON

Somewhere on the journey our train comes to a halt
Another train’s approaching, the Frunzer Eshalon
And gazing through its windows happy faces glow
Countless Jews and Jewesses looking on

From Kielce and Tarnow, from Bendine
From Cracow, Lodz and Radzimin
From Pinsk, from Grodno and Navarodok
From Galitzia, from Wohlin
From Pshemishl and Lublin
Also Lomza and Bialistok

A little girl survivor with no adult to guide her
Pauses suddenly before a car
She strains her eyes a little and sitting in the middle
A man who seems familiar so to her
“Excuse me” – “Bita”
“From where?” – “From Lita”
“Your name?” – “Nota”
“Tatte!”

And so together others gather
Brothers, sisters, mothers, fathers
Welcoming each other in surprise
Hear this tale unfold before us
What relief this train has brought us
A daughter has her father recognized

​Yeh! A daughter has her father recognized!
One by one the travelers leave their railroad seats
They straighten out their backs and they stretch their tired feet
They quickly cross the station and climb another train
They go from car to car and ask again

Is anyone here from Bendine?
From Lodz, from Kielce, from Radzinim?
Maybe someone’s from Navarodok?
Perhaps there’s one from Kattovitz?
From Reisha or from Soshovitz?
The Rovno section or Bialistok?

A woman, heavily bandaged, her face is scarred and damaged
Studies every face in every seat
A man hobbles towards her, a cane – his sole supporter
And suddenly their eyes each other meet
“Excuse me” – “Prosha”
“From where?” – “From Parmosha”
“Chaim!” – “Dvosha!”
“Oy Bashefer!”

And so together others gather
Brothers, sisters, mothers, fathers
Welcoming each other in surprise
Hear this tale unfold before us
What relief this train has brought us
Husband, wife each other recognize

Yeh! Husband, wife each other recognize!
I stand there in the middle choking up this view
Everyone’s familiar but I cannot pinpoint who
I recognize so many, I’ve seen them now or then
I simply can’t remember where or when

​Perhaps they stir a memory of years before this tragedy
Recollections from before the war
Perhaps we’ve met as refugees while running from the enemies
Or maybe on this train…just moments before
Yeh! Maybe on this train…just moments before

My mind is not returning, my heart is filled with yearning
It seeks to have a little peace at last
I grab a Jew behind me – he smiles and slowly eyes me
And in the softest whisper I ask
“From where?” – “From Lida”
“Your name?” – “Vider”
“Brider!”

To my heart I quickly press him
But he stares with no expression
“I’ve no brothers – no one left to love”
“So” – I tell him – “Don’t be bothered
We are Jews – we have one Father
He is our Creator – up above!”
Yeh! We have one Father – He is up above!

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