If the Lord does not build the house,
in vain do the builders toil.
If the Lord does not watch over the city,
in vain the watchman keeps vigil;
if the Lord does not watch over the city.
If the Lord does not build the house…
In vain is your early rising,
your going late to rest
to earn your daily bread.
God gives to his friends while they sleep!
God gives to his friends while they sleep.
If the Lord does not build the house…
Sons are a gift from the Lord,
like arrows in the hands of a warrior
are the sons of one’s youth.
Happy the man who has his quiver full of them,
he will not fear when enemies arrive.
If the Lord does not build the house…

Why is this night different
from every other night?
from every other night?
On all other nights
we go to bed early
and we don’t stay up.
and we don’t stay up.
But on this night, on this night,
we stay up all night.
But on this night, on this night,
we stay up all night.
Why is this night different
from every other night?
from every other night?
On all other nights
we go to bed early
after having supper;
after having supper.
But on this night, on this night,
we have been fasting.
But on this night, on this night,
we have been fasting.
Why is this night different
from every other night?
from every other night?
On all other nights
we go to bed early
and we aren’t waiting for anything;
and we aren’t waiting for anything.
But on this night, on this night,
we keep on waiting.
But on this night, on this night,
we keep on waiting.
Why is this night different
from every other night?
from every other night?
To stay up,
to be fasting,
to keep on waiting.
To stay up,
to be fasting,
to keep on waiting.