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Tahana Merkazit / ת​ח​נ​ה מ​ר​כ​ז​י​ת

from EYE ON ZION / ע​י​ן ל​צ​י​ו​ן by The Elevators המעליות

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about

For those unfamiliar with the term, Tahana Merkazit means "central bus station." Every town in Israel has one, from Tel Aviv's monster complex to little compounds resembling a cross between a parking lot and a stable. The Israeli train system is far from extensive, so buses are the default mode of transportation for those without vehicles, hence the ubiquity of buses in this collection.

The station in question here is that of Tiberias, where I worked as receptionist at the Hotel Panorama, a one-star hotel which turned into a hostel for soldiers traveling up to Lebanon and back when the First Lebanon War broke out. I lived in the tiny town of Hatzor HaGlilit and the bus was the only way to get to work and back. The schedule, as you can tell from the song, was far from convenient. -Oct. 27, 2023

lyrics

All of the buses are fast asleep
Here at the Tahana Merkazit
Nothing to do, nobody to meet
I'll just lay back and put up my feet

Even the janitor has hung up his broom
He's drinking tea in the janitor's room
Occasional buses wake up and stumble out
Yawning their way through Tiberian gloom

And I'm just sitting here waiting for it to appear

All of the buses are fast asleep...

The spiders head home, they've been working since nine
Doing construction work on each platform sign
The pigeons are through decorating the roof
It's back to the nest and some cheap Carmel wine

And I'm just sitting here waiting for it to appear

All of the buses are fast asleep...

Doesn't anybody take buses these days?
How are those bus drivers earning their pay?
Maybe they've all started moonlighting now
Selling shawarma down Tel Aviv way

And I'm just sitting here waiting for it to appear

All of the buses are fast asleep...

Rev up your engine, switch on your headlights
Whisk me away into this warm northern night
Take me back home to my soft squeaky bed
I'll kick off my tennies and turn out the light

And I'm still sitting here waiting for it to appear

All of the buses are fast asleep...

credits

from EYE ON ZION / ע​י​ן ל​צ​י​ו​ן, released October 25, 2023
Words & Music: Aryeh Naftaly
Electric Guitar, Bass, Lap Steel, Vocals: Aryeh Naftaly
Piano: Rob Steiner
Drums: Michael Roth

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The Elevators Israel

Since starting out in 2007, The Elevators, based in Israel, have earned their place as the No. 1 jam band east of the Mediterranean. Their original music combines humor, love, philosophy and spirituality served up in a stew of rock, soul and a little psychedelia. ... more

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