Lavaba la blanca ninia 1

Jerusalem National Sound Archives placement: NSA Yc1096/13
Referenced and notated in: Romansero Sefardi de Oriente pg. 100
Editorial Alpuerto S.A. 2010 Susana Weich-Shahak

This is a partial version of one of the few romansas with a practical role in the wedding ritual, traditionally sung in Saloniki by the women of the bride’s family, friends, and neighbors during the día del lavado de lana, the day devoted to washing the wool that would be used to stuff the mattresses and pillows for the newlyweds. The text revolves around a well-known medieval motif: the returning husband who tests his wife’s fidelity. In this version, the scene is set as the woman washes clothes. A knight, her husband, whom she does not recognize after years of absence approaches and tells her that her husband died in his arms, leaving as a final wish that she marry the messenger. When she refuses, she proves her unwavering loyalty, after which the husband reveals his true identity. Uniquely in the Saloniki versions, the woman demands reciprocal proof: the knight must offer a sign about her that only her true husband would know, in this case, a beauty mark by her breast.  Musically, each second verse is always repeated to the melody of the first half of the musical phrase. This repetition facilitates communal singing, as it allows one lead singer to carry the text while the others can easily join in.

Lyrics: 
Lavaba la blanca niña,    lavaba y espandía,
con lágrimas la lavaba,    con sospiros la cogía.
Por ahí pasó un caballero,    un poco de agua le demandó;
de lágrimas de sus ojos    siete cantaricas (le) hinchó.
- ¿Por qué lloras, mi siñora?    ¿por qué lloras, qué tenías?
- Mi marido se jue a la guerra    y aínda non hay tornar.
- Dáme siñal, mi siñora,    siñal del vuestro marido.
- Alto, alto es como el pino,    derecho como es 'na flecha,
su barbica tiene roya    empezándol' a despuntar.
- Ya lo vide, mi siñora,    a la guerra matado 'stá .

Translation:
The fair maiden was washing, was washing and hanging,
with tears she was washing , with sighs she was gathering .
By there passed a gentleman, a bit of water he asked for;
from the tears of her eyes seven jugs she filled.
- Why do you cry, my lady? Why do you cry, what happened?
- My husband went to the war and still has not returned.
- Give me a sign, my lady, a sign of your husband.
- Tall, tall he is like the pine, straight as is an arrow,
his little beard has a rust-color just starting to grow.
- I already saw him, my lady, in the war he is killed.