Alevanta, Ĵako en bodas y en berit, no t’amostres flako ke tienes mushterís. Chalgiĝí de meaná yo les kanto sin kedar, me maneo komo un barko a mí ya me llaman Ĵako. Alevanta, Ĵako... Mushterís de meaná kon antojos y parpar, yo me vo komo piola para les llevar la bolsa. Alevanta, Ĵako... Chalgiĝí de meaná yo m’amostro muy kurná, se las tomo al ke bebe, les kanto komo se debe. Alevanta, Ĵako...
Get up, Jako
at weddings and at circumcisions,
don’t show yourself weak
for you have customers. Tavern musician
I sing to them without stopping,
I sway like a boat
they already call me Jako.
Get up, Jako... Customers of the tavern
with glasses and bow ties
I go like a pulley
to take their purse.
Get up, Jako... Tavern musician
I show myself very bold,
I take it from the one who drinks,
I sing to them as is proper.
Get up, Jako...
From Ventanas Altas de Saloniki, 2013. This song is by Sadik and Gazoz, (Sadik Gershon and Moshe Cazes) who set humorous ladino texts to popular tunes between 1924-1935 in Saloniki. This song about a musician who was supposed to be ready to play at weddings and circumcisions, is based on the life of the pandero player Jako Cohen who was their close friend. The melody stems from the Greek song "Elinitsa mou" composed by Ianis Dragatsis.
This website was created by Orit Perlman with the collaboration and blessings of Dr. Susana Weich-Shahak in 2025