Just to set things straight.
We were ten brothers,
We traded in wine.
One of us died,
Nine of us remained.

Chorus

Oy, Yidl with your violin,
Gedalye with your bass
Play me a little tune
In the middle of the street.
Oy-Oy-Oy, Oy-Oy-Oy
Play me a little tune
In the middle of the street.

We were nine brothers,
We traded in goods.
One of us died,
Eight of us remained.

We were eight brothers,
We traded in beets.
One of us died,
Seven of us remained.

We were seven brothers,
We traded in baked goods.
One of us died,
Six of us remained.

We were six brothers,
We traded in socks.
One of us died,
Five of us remained.

We were five brothers,
We traded in beer. One of us died,
four of us remained.

We were four brothers,
we traded in tea.
One of us died,
three of us remained.

We were three brothers,
we traded in lead.
One of us died,
two of us remained.

We were two brothers,
we traded in bones.
One of us died,
I was left alone.

I remain the only brother,
I trade in candles.
I die every day
because I have nothing to eat.