The Tachanun Skipping Song*

Lyrics by Stephen M. Asbel

If we're happy and we know it, skip Tachanun.
If we're happy and we know it skip Tachanun.
If we're saying Hallel soon
Because it's a new moon
Then we're happy and we know it, skip Tachanun.

If we're happy and we know it, skip Tachanun.
If we're happy and we know it, skip Tachanun.
On Pesach and Sukkot
And of course on Shavuot
We're happy and we know it, skip Tachanun.

If we're happy and we know it, skip Tachanun.
If we're happy and we know it skip Tachanun.
Chanukah's days are eight.
And we're feeling really great.
So we're happy and we know it, skip Tachanun.

If we're happy and we know it, skip Tachanun.
If we're happy and we know it skip Tachanun.
Tu B'Shevat's for tree-grown treats
On Tu B'Av lovers meet.
So we're happy and we know it, skip Tachanun.

If we're happy and we know it, skip Tachanun.
If we're happy and we know it skip Tachanun.
On Purim** we read Megillah
That's our big gedillah
'Cause we're happy and we know it, skip Tachanun.

If new parents are there, skip Tachanun.
If new parents are there, skip Tachanun.
If there's a Simchat Bat or Bris.
Just give the sweet baby a kiss.
If new parents are there, skip Tachanun.

On wedding days we all skip Tachanun.
On wedding days we all skip Tachanun.
If someone's to be wed,
Then Tachanun's not said.
We all love weddings so skip Tachanun.

If the new couple's there skip Tachanun.
If the new couple's there skip Tachanun.
If it's time for Sheva Brachos.
We're all getting so much nachas.
If the new couple's there skip Tachanun.

At a Bar or Bat Mitzvah, skip Tachanun.
At a Bar or Bat Mitzvah, skip Tachanun.
At the celebration of the bacher.
Remind your alter kocker.
That today we will skip Tachanun.

If it's Nissan and we know it, skip Tachanun.
If it's Nissan and we know it, skip Tachanun.
We're so happy that it's spring
We would much rather sing.
If it's Nissan and we know it, skip Tachanun.

Two more days that we skip Tachanun.
Two more days that skip Tachanun.
On Lag B'Omer when we're glad
On Tisha B'Av when we're sad.
Two more days that we skip Tachanun.

If we're sad and we know it, skip Tachanun.
If we're sad and we know it, skip Tachanun.
Skip in a house of mourning,
This is your final warning.
'Cause we're sad and we know it, skip Tachanun.

When the New Year comes we must skip Tachanun.
When the New Year comes we must skip Tachanun.
Rosh Hashanah and day before
Tachanun we must ignore.
When the New Year comes we must skip Tachanun.

What other times do we skip Tachanun?
What other times do we skip Tachanun?
From 9 Tishrei till Cheshvan
The first eight days of Sivan.
Oy! More days that we skip Tachanun.***

Are there new days for us to skip Tachanun?
Are there new days for us to skip Tachanun?
Yom Yerushalayim, Yom Haatzma'ut
Y'mei HaShoah and Hazikaron to boot
Yet more days for us to skip Tachanun.

If it's a civil holiday, skip Tachanun.
If it's civil holiday, skip Tachanun.
Like July 4th or Thanksgiving
'Cause in America we're living
If it's a civil holiday, skip Tachanun.

Is there any other day to skip Tachanun?
Is there any other day to skip Tachanun?
Some skip on Pesach Sheni.
But the number is not many.
So that's another day to skip Tachanun.

If it's Shabbat and we know it, skip Tachanun.
If it's Shabbat and we know it, skip Tachanun.
Shabbat's the day that's best.
So Tachanun gets a rest.
If it's Shabbat and we know it, skip Tachanun.

*Author's note: This song is intended as a study aid and as entertainment and should not be relied upon as a definitive authority on when to skip Tachanun. Please consult your rabbi on all halachic questions.

**Another author's note: In leap years, we also skip Tachanun on Purim Katan which corresponds to when in Adar I Purim would fall if it was not a leap year. We also skip Tachanun on Shushan Purim and Shushan Purim Katan.

***Still another author's note: Some have the custom of skipping Tachanun on the 7th of Adar because it is the yahrtzeit of Moshe. Some communities have the custom of skipping Tachanun on the yahrtzeits of their great rabbis.

© 2004 Stephen M. Asbel