The Israelites in General
(Sung to the tune of Gilbert & Sullivan's "I am the Very Model of a Modern Major-General")
 © by Randi E. Spiegel, Passover 2006

We're here to tell the story of the Israelites in general
They were the slaves of Pharaoh, who was really quite tyrannical
We read in the Haggadah of the tale that is historical
And that is what a seder is, in order categorical

The Jews were slaves in Egypt and their lives were very tragical
At least that's how we tell all of our stories that are biblical
If we were living way back then, our fate would make the front page news
With many sullen facts including killing all the male-born Jews

All: With many sullen facts including killing all the male-born Jews (2x)
With many sullen facts including killing all the male-born, male-born Jews

Now Moses went to Egypt with a mission very serious
Told Pharaoh he must free the Jews and not to be nefarious
They were the slaves of Pharaoh, who was really quite tyrannical
We're here to tell the story of the Israelites in general

All: They were the slaves of Pharaoh, who was really quite tyrannical
We're here to tell the story of the Israelites in general

When Pharaoh didn't listen, God sent plagues that were just like a pox
Upon the people and the land and animals as large as ox
God hoped that Pharaoh would concede and show he was not merciless
Instead the slaves were beaten more, while Pharaoh stood emotionless

So Moses raised his staff which changed the waters into blood with ease
They heard the croaking chorus from the frogs a'croaking in the breeze
Then lice infested everyone, wild beasts stampeded with a roar
The cattle died, they all were killed, until there weren't any more

All: The cattle died, they all were killed, until there weren't any more (2x)
The cattle died, they all were killed, until there weren't any, any more

So Moses came back with demands in Babylonic cuneiform
God sent the plague of boils in hopes that Pharaoh would, at last, reform
We were the slaves of Pharaoh, who was really quite tyrannical
We're here to tell the story of the Israelites in general

All: We were the slaves of Pharaoh, who was really quite tyrannical
We're here to tell the story of the Israelites in general

Egyptians and their Pharaoh waited for the next plague to begin
The hail came down in torrents with the sharpness of a javelin
The locusts swarmed, the blackened sky you could see from Mount Ararat
Then darkness overcame the land, folks couldn't see where they were at

The Jews put lambs' blood on their doors and packed their clothes and finery
Egyptians' first-born sons were killed; these are the plagues in summary
And then the Pharaoh did comply, told Moses that he would agree
The Jews could now leave Egypt, he would let them live and set them free

All: The Jews could now leave Egypt, he would let them live and set them free (2x)
The Jews could now leave Egypt, he would let them live and set them, set them free

We're here tonight to tell about our ancestors in slavery
We'd not be here today without their courage, strength and bravery
We were the slaves of Pharaoh, who was really quite tyrannical
And now we've told the story of the Israelites in general

All: We were the slaves of Pharaoh, who was really quite tyrannical
And now we've told the story of the Israelites in general.