The title refers to the balalaika, a 3-stringed musical instrument of Russian origin.
The song was written by Abraham Ellstein for The Barry Sisters, and was published by him in 1940.
[1] Its text was loosely based on a traditional Ukrainian song "Letiv Ptashok".
Vos ken brenen un nit oyfhern?
Vos ken benken, veynen on trern?
Narisher bokher, vos darfstu fregn?
Libe ken brenen un nit oyfhern.
A harts ken benken, veynen on trern.
A koymen iz hekher fun a hoyz.
A kats iz flinker fun a moyz.
Di toyre iz tifer fun a kval.