Khay
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| Chai | ||
|---|---|---|
| Eurovision Song Contest 1983 entry | ||
| Country | Israel | |
| Artist(s) | Ofra Haza | |
| Language | Hebrew | |
| Composer(s) | Avi Toledano | |
| Lyricist(s) | Ehud Manor | |
| Place | 2nd | |
| Points | 136 | |
| Lyrics | from Diggiloo Thrush | |
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Chai (Hebrew script: חי, English translation: "Alive"; see also Chai symbol) was the Israeli entry in the Eurovision Song Contest 1983, performed in Hebrew by Ofra Haza.
The song is a moderately up-tempo number, with Haza singing that, despite the "thorns" she has endured, she is still alive. As the song goes on, this is revealed to be a metaphor for "the nation of Israel" (the song is ambiguous as to whether this refers to the modern state or the global Jewish community) surviving various attempts at destroying it.
The song was performed sixteenth on the night (following Denmark's Gry with Kloden Drejer and preceding Portugal's Armando Gama with Esta Balada Que Te Dou). At the close of voting, it had received 136 points, placing 2nd in a field of 20.
Israel opted not to enter the 1984 Contest, but returned to the fold the next year. Thus, the song was succeeded as Israeli representative at the 1985 Contest by Izhar Cohen with Olé, Olé.
The song had further profound meanings since it was performed on German soil with the Holocaust background and in the city of Munich, the site of the Munich massacre in 1972.
| Refrain | |
|---|---|
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אני עוד חי חי חי, |
I'm still alive alive alive |
