Levantísme, madre,
un lunes de mañana,
fuerame al mercado,
por ver cómo alborea,
mi pastor.
Mercara un marido
de honra y de fama,
carpintero era
y maestro le llaman,
ay, mi pastor.
– Maestro, maestro,
arregleme esta arca,
la llave de oro
y la chapa de plata,
ay, mi pastor.
I got up, mother,
one Monday morning,
I went to the market,
to see the dawn,
my shepherd.
I would buy a husband
of honor and fame,
he will be a carpenter
and they call him a master,
oh, my shepherd.
– Master, master,
fix this chest for me,
the key is golden
and the cover is silver,
oh, my shepherd.
Jerusalem National Sound Archives placement: NSA Y 2989/19 – Ginette Benabu
Referenced and notated in: Judeo-Spanish Moroccan Songs for the Life Cycle, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, 1989 Susana Weich-Shahak
This traditional wedding song from Tangier is typically performed with a single castanet, held in one hand and rhythmically tapped by the other. The songs are usually sung consecutively, maintaining the same castanet rhythm. The lyrics highlight the desirable qualities of a husband, emphasizing a good family background and a respectable profession.
This website was created by Orit Perlman with the collaboration and blessings of Dr. Susana Weich-Shahak in 2025