Morenica a mi me llaman blanca yo nací: el sol del enverano m'hizo a mi ansí. Morenica, graciosica sos, morenica y graciosica y mavra matiamu. Morenica me llaman los marineros, si otra vez me llaman me vo con ellos. Morenica... Decilde a la morena si quere vinir la nave ya sta 'n vela, que ya va a partir. Morenica... Decilde a la morena: ¿por que no me queres? con oro y con tiempo a mí me rogares. Morenica... Ya se viste la morena y de yul yagi ansina es la pera con el siftili. Morenica... Ya se viste la morena de'amarillo, ansí es la pera con el bembrillo. Morenica...
They call me "little dark one", Though I was born fair; The summer sun, Made me this way. Little dark one, you are so graceful, Dark-skinned and graceful, And black-eyed They call me "little dark one", The sailors do; If they call me again, I’ll go with them. Little dark one... Tell the dark girl If she wants to come, The ship is already sailing, It’s about to leave. Little dark one... Tell the dark girl: Why don’t you love me? With gold and with time, You will beg me. Little dark one... Now the dark girl dresses herself In bright red Like the pear, With a peach Little dark one... Now the dark girl dresses herself All in yellow like the pear, With the quince Little dark one...
Jerusalem's National Library Sound Archive placement: Yc 2774/22 Referenced and notated in: El ciclo de la vida, pg. 234, Editorial Alpuerto, 2013 Susana Weich-Shahak. This wedding song weaves together several recurring themes:
A reference to Song of Songs, Chapter 1 — “Do not gaze at me because I am dark, for the sun has darkened me.”
The image of a ship setting sail, and the call of the King’s son to the bride.
The bride’s attire and adornment.
As a cantiga, the song does not follow a strict narrative sequence, but its verses are grouped in thematic pairs. Although not present in this particular version, a common additional theme is:
A symbolic ladder made of precious materials, representing the spiritual elevation of the groom as he prepares to bestow upon his bride the kedoshim — sanctified blessings of marriage.
This website was created by Orit Perlman with the collaboration and blessings of Dr. Susana Weich-Shahak in 2025