For sure, Avreml,
I won't be the first to laugh.
I bet you, though you joke
I'll think about sad things.
You can even tickle me.

You will laugh, I bet you.
Shloimele, you will laugh.
I have a remedy, a fine remedy,
You can think of the saddest things
But you'll have to be the first to laugh.

First of all, Avreml,
I think of my poor weak father.
Who looks for work but can't find any.
Well, will I feel like laughing?
You will laugh, I bet you,
You will lose, Shloimele,
I have a remedy, a fine remedy,
I'll meow like a cat and bark like a dog,
So you'll have to be the first to laugh.

I will remember that yesterday in Kheder,
I forgot today's Parsha
The Rabbi just wants me to study all the time -
He doesn't know how hungry I am.

You will laugh, I bet you,
You won't be such a bad guy.
I'll bet on one button and put four against.
You'll hold your sides and burst with laughter
When you see what I have here with me.

And I'll remember the Rabbi's angry face
When he started to hear me out.
I still have many blue marks from his whip.
I wept tears from the pain.
You'll laugh, you'll laugh
Give me the button already!

Look, Shloimele, what I have here for you!
A buttered roll and a fine herring head.
So tell me, Shloimele, who will laugh first?

A buttered roll and a fine herring head.
Tomorrow, I'll make a bet with you again.