In life, we face obstacles that are created by our evil inclination, referred to as “the foolish one.” The lyrics of this song tell us that “the foolish one” comes to the marketplace – our world – only to create strife between us and G‑d. However, as a
result of the obstacles it places before us, we develop a thirst for G‑dliness.
The Rebbe taught this Chabad melody on Simchas Torah, 5718 (1957).
צָמְאָה לְךָ נַפְשִׁי כָּמַהּ לְךָ בְשָׂרִי. עֵיי, טִי דוּרין מַרקוֹ, שטָֹא טִי יֶדִיש נאַ י֪רמַרקוֹ, ניֵע קופְּלַיֵיֶש, ניֵע פרוֹדַיֶיש, טָאלקַא רוֹבִּישׁ סוַוארקוּ".
My soul thirsts for You, my flesh longs for You Hey, you, foolish Marko! Why are you going to the market? You don’t buy. You don’t sell. All you do is “stir the stew” [cause strife].
Transliteration: Ech! Tee du-ran mar-ku, sh-to-tee ye-dish na yar-mar-ku, ni-ye ku-pi-la-yesh, ni-ye p-ro-da-yesh, tol-ko ro-bish s-var-ku.