Bruria (1992)

Sung to Gloria (1982)

Bruria was the learned wife of Rabbi Meir (139 to 163 C.E.) She was famous for her erudition, intellect, and wit. Feeling eclipsed, her husband sought to shame her. He enlisted a handsome student to seduce her. Though she resisted, ultimately she succumbed. Bruriah felt so ashamed that she committed suicide.

First, the Italian hit Gloria, as sung in English by Laura Branigan.

Bruria (1982)

Bruria,

Ya didn’t have to go down;

If-you’da-stood-behind your man now,

Ya-coulda-headed-off a showdown.

If you’da-saddled-by his si-ide,

He-never-woulda-tried-to-shame you;

If you’da-let-him-keep-his pri-ide,

He-mighta-never-tried-to-blame you.

You-coulda-been-a-Bader Ginsburg,

So supremely in your place,

Who’d you dream would fill your space,

Oh, Bruria-a-a-a?

Bruria!

Did you ever wonder?

Did-you-consider-the conventions

That you were livin’ unnnder?

You-sang-equality’s tu-une

A few centuries soo-oon, oo-oo-oo, oh Bruria-a-a-a.

Bruria,

He-felt-the-nee-eed to command you;

A-little-feminine-mystique now

Mighta helped him understand you.

You-paid-a-price for your fame,

But you kindled Woman’s flame,

Now your daughters sing the name

Of Bruria-a-a-a.

(instrumental)

Uh-uh huh, uh-uh huh.

Bruria,

You-were-a-rebbitzin* with attitude, (*rabbi’s wife)

When you Hillaried your home boy,

Did-ya-believe-you’d-win-his gratitude?

Did you know there’d be a nation

Where-equal-rights-would-be-a platitude?

A-future-time-and-generation

Where-girls-would-get-a-little latitude?

You paid a price for your fame,

Oh, but-you-kindled-Woman’s flame,

Now, your daughters sing the name

Of Bruria-a-a-a.

Bruria,

They-wouldn’t-count-you-in-their minyan, (*quorum of 10 Jewish males needed to pray)

But-when-they-counted on your judgment,

They came a-courtin’ your opinion.

You had evvvv’ryone in awe-awww,

Lit-the-flame-that-brought the thaw-awww,

Now the daughters of the Lawww

Sing Bruria-a-a-a.

Bruria,

Mistress of Halacha* (*Jewish law)

When you lit the revolution

Maybe-you-shoulda said a brocha* (prayer recited over an act)

Bruria,

Mistress of Halacha …