SHIREI ERETZ ISRAEL:
"SONGS OF THE
LAND OF ISRAEL"
Similar to the population of Israel itself, early Israeli music mixes characteristics from over 120 countries, thus creating a unique mixture of lyrics and melodies. Early Israeli folk songs borrowed ideas from countries across Eastern Europe, eventually incorporating Hebrew lyrics. Many of these songs dealt with Zionism and dreams for the future of the Israeli state. Several songs reflected a socialist outlook because of its popularity during the Diaspora. Soldiers wrote a lot of songs during the wars of Israel, which led to a plethora of patriotic songs concerning the close bonds and friendships and hardships of loss during war.