Ya mandó Moshé en la zarzamora

Jerusalem National Sound Archives placement: Yc1096/5
This copla retells the biblical story of Moses and Pharaoh from Exodus. Moses is commanded by God at the burning bush to free the Israelites, hesitates because of his speech, and confronts Pharaoh, who mocks God and speaks contemptuously of the Jews. God then promises to punish Pharaoh with plagues, described in earthy, imaginative language. The poem blends scripture with popular storytelling, humor, and sharp moral judgment.

Text:
Ya mandó Moshé en la zarzamora –
y el le arespondio presto en akeya ora

- Que mande, mi sinior, rey de mi corona.
- Va ende Par'o quita a mi pueblo salvo.

- Pardon mi sinior de lo que has hablado
Que a mi me has criado la luenga travada
Manda a mi hermano Aron que es mas despipitado

Callado Moshe non hables locura
que yo ay creado al sol y la luna
también a las estrellas y la chica criatura.

Se esparte Moshe, se esparte y se ia
A puertas de Paro ahí le amanecia.

Lo topo Paro sentado al la mesa
comiendo y bibiendo y hablando mal de la Juderia.

- Que buskas tu Moshe en el mi palacio?
- Me mando mi Dio quitar mi pueblo salvo

- ¿Quien este Dio que a ti t'hay mandado?
Yo no lo conozco, ni con él hablado,

ni un peshkesico visto de su mano.
Se esparte Moshe triste y alemuniado
a dar le la repuesta que le dio aquel perro malo.

- Que te disho, Moshe, aquel perro malo?
El no lo conoce ni con El hablado.

-Yo le mandaré peshkes y peshkesicos,
le mandaré langosta con un mal musquito,
que le entre por el oído y que le salga por el ombligo.

Translation:
Moses was commanded at the burning bush
and he answered Him swiftly in that very hour.

- Command me, my lord, king of my crown.
- Go to Pharaoh, take out my people safe.

- Forgive me, my lord, for what you have spoken,
for you created me with a bound tongue;
send my brother Aaron, who is more eloquent.

- Be silent, Moses, speak no folly,
for I created the sun and the moon,
also the stars and the smallest creature.

Moses departs, Moses departs and goes,
at Pharaoh’s gates, at dawn.

He finds Pharaoh seated at the table,
eating and drinking and speaking ill of the Jews.

- What do you seek, Moses, in my palace?
- My God sent me to take my people out safely.

- Who is this God who sent you?
I do not know Him, nor have I spoken with Him,

nor have I seen even a small gift from His hand.
Moses departs sorrowful and anguished,
to give the reply that that evil dog had given him.

- What did he tell you, Moses, that evil dog?
- He does not know You, nor has he spoken with You.

- I will send him gifts and little gifts,
I will send him locusts with a wicked gnat,
that will enter through his ear and come out through his navel.