Ĵanna, Žanža, Esmeralda y Satula kada tadre a al playe les place ir la mas grande, la cuñada de Satula ke le place solo kantar y riír. Vites, Žanža, bueno mos dijo mama que a la playa mos van a apalpar, ke no hay ningun fuego sin flama. Ah, Dio, maná, van a gritar: La Madelón. Despues pasó un francesito la spaldera, la spaldera le tokó. Ah, Dio, maná, van a gritar: La Madelón.
Ĵanna, Žanža, Esmeralda and Satula
every evening they like to go to the beach.
The oldest one, Satula’s sister-in-law,
she likes only to sing and laugh. You see, Žanža, well our mama told us
that at the beach they’re going to touch us,
that there’s no fire without flame.
Ah, God, mama, they’re going to shout:
La Madelón. Then a little Frenchman passed by,
on the shoulder, on the shoulder touched her
Ah, God, mama, they’re going to shout:
La Madelón.
From Ventanas Altas de Saloniki, 2013. This song criticizes the free ways of modern women. It's melody and refrain are borrowed from “La Madelon”, a popular French World War I song about a lively girl named Madelon, beloved by soldiers.
This website was created by Orit Perlman with the collaboration and blessings of Dr. Susana Weich-Shahak in 2025