Yankl Krimski

Yankl Krimski was a theatre artist and musician in the Vilna ghetto.  One of his most popular songs was ‘Dos Elnte Kind’ (The Lonely Child), set to lyrics by the well-known poet Shmerke Kaczerginski.  With its mournful chorus, 'Oh mother, my mother dear, where are you, where? Your child is crying out!  Howling and wailing like wind in the grass', the song was written in memory of Jewish children hidden by their parents outside the ghetto walls to ensure their survival.  Krimski’s fate is uncertain, but he is believed to have perished in an Estonian labour camp in 1943.

Sources

Katsherginski, S. & Leivick, H. eds., Lider fun di Getos un Lagern, New York: Alveltlekher Yidisher Kultur-Kongres.