עניין של הרגל [Inyan Shel Hergel] [English translation]

Learning to kill

Is a matter of momentum

It starts out small

Then it comes to you

Patrolling all night

In the Kasbah of Nablus

Hey, what’s ours

And what’s yours

At first it’s just a drill

A rifle pounding on the door

Bewildered children

Frightened family

Then the closure

It’s already dangerous

Death lies in ambush

Around every corner

You cock your weapon

Your arm trembles

Your finger hardens

Tight on the trigger

Your heart goes wild

Throbs with fright

It knows—the next time

Will be easier

They aren’t men or women

Just things, just shadow

Learning to kill

Is a matter of habit

Learning to fear

Is a matter of momentum

It starts out small

Then it comes to you

Tidings from above

Fall on the streets

There’s no chance of living on

The end is so near

Prophecies of terror

Like the raven’s call

Bolt your shutters

Barricade yourselves at home

We’re just a tiny handful

And they are so many

A tiny land

consumed by enemies

Their hearts hold only hate

The evil inclination and darkness

Learning to fear

Is a matter of habit

Learning cruelty

Is a matter of momentum

It starts out small

Then it comes to you

Every little boy is a man

Lusting after conquest

Hands behind your head

Spread your legs

It’s a dangerous time

A time of terror

Toughen up, soldier

There’s no virtue in mercy

Our cousin [note: Hebrew slang for “Arab”]

Is like an animal

Already used to seeing blood

He doesn’t suffer

He’s not human

Fatigues and a rash

Exhaustion and routine

From stupidity to evil the distance

Is short

It’s ours, only ours

The land of Israel

Learning cruelty

Is a matter of habit

Little boy, little boy, stop

Little boy, little boy, come back

Come here, my darling,

Come here, my baby

The skies are so gloomy

And outside all is dark

The toy soldiers are still here

Underneath your bed

Come home, little boy.

Come home.

Learning to love

Is a matter of tenderness

Careful steps

On a cloud of gentleness

We’ll go slow, we’ll melt

We’ll grow soft, we’ll lose our edge

Learning to love

Is a matter of habit

Being human

Is a matter of momentum

It sprouts like a baby

Then it comes to you

To be just for a minute

Just for now, just today

On the other side

Of the same barricade

But our heart’s already calloused

Our skin already thick

Deaf and blind

In the bubble of the present

We’ll gaze in wonder

At the fallen angel.

Being human

Is a matter of habit,

A matter of habit.

• Artist:Izhar Ashdot
• Album:"A Matter of Habit" (Inian Shel Hergel)