The song’s "original" modern form was born in during a period of immense historical shift. Following the Balfour Declaration and the British capture of Jerusalem from the Ottoman Empire, the local Jewish community wanted to celebrate.
Idelsohn felt the wordless Niggun needed lyrics to match the celebratory mood. He selected a few lines from , emphasizing "rejoicing" and "gladness": Hava nagila (Let us rejoice) V’nism’cha (And be glad) Hava Nagila Original
: It became synonymous with the Horah , a circle dance brought to Israel by Romanian settlers. The song’s "original" modern form was born in