Emanuel Zamir (1925-1962) was a central figure in the field of Hebrew song in the 1950s and among the founders of informal singing ensembles and public sing-alongs (“shira betzibur”).   Born in Petach Tikvah on August 19, 1925, Zamir studied teaching at the “Hebrew Beit Midrash for Teachers” in Jerusalem, as well as linguistics, literature and Bible at the Hebrew University. It was during this period that he wrote his first popular songs: “Ha’Taleh” and “Erev Shach”.

After graduating, Zamir joined the IDF, where he was active in areas of education and culture. He formed various bands (among them “Chavurat Ha’esh” who performed “Alei Ha’esh” and “Dvekut Ha’chomer”) and founded the “Tizmoret Ha’chazitit” (Battlefront Orchestra), which later became the IDF Orchestra. He also served as the artistic director of IDF bands, among them the “Pikud Ha’Nachal Band” (Nachal Command, writing and composing the Nachal Command anthem “Magal Ve’cherev”), organized conferences for dance and song, and more.

Upon his discharge from the army, Zamir devoted himself to the dissemination of Hebrew song throughout Israel and in time became known for the visits he made with his pick-up truck  to immigrant settlements, transit camps, Arab villages, Bedouin communities, and of course cities and settlements across Israel. Zamir performed his own songs as well as other Hebrew songs at each place he visited, established local singing groups and encouraged young talents, whom he invited to join him on his travels. In addition, Zamir taught in schools and youth movements, organized holiday ceremonies and special events to mark the anniversaries of cities and settlements (in honor of which he wrote and composed songs, among them “El Admat Lachish”, “Himnon La’rehovot”), founded and conducted local choruses and orchestras, hosted a radio show on Kol Israel, and recorded his own songs. In 1960, Zamir founded the “Israeli Song Movement”, which attracted thousands of members who had attended his song meetings. To this day, there are active singing ensembles that bear Zamir’s name.

Unlike most lyricists of the time, Emanuel Zamir composed the music for his own lyrics. The motifs of his songs, which were written in poetic, Biblical register, were primarily derived from the atmosphere of rural Eretz-Israel: landscapes, agricultural labor, shepherds and their herds, scouting, and campfires. Many of his compositions were influenced by local folk melodies as well as Arab and Bedouin melodies, and were written in modal and Mizrachi scales, with the flute, drums, and cymbals taking center stage. Zamir wrote many songs for “rikudei am” (folk dancing), which he considered to be the ultimate expression of the Chalutzim (pioneers) and Biblical legacy. Many of these songs shaped the text and rhythm of Israeli dance and are performed to this day.

Emanuel Zamir was killed in a car accident in July 1962.