Coplas

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Coplas

Coplas are a unique Jewish genre that developed after the expulsion from Spain, flourishing mainly in the 18th century. Written my men, this genre deals with social and historical and traditional topics from biblical sources, therefor the abundance of Hebrew words. Coplas have complex literary structures, sometimes including acrostics, rhymes, and repeated choruses. Coplas were printed in booklets dedicated to holidays or other themes.

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Placement in the Jerusalem National Sound Archives: Y2093/4b This is a Copla-Romance, depicting the story from Exodus when Moshe goes to Pharaoh's palace to demand that he release the people of Israel, is sung on...
Jerusalem National Sound Archives placement: Yc1188/8 With its characteristic nine line asymmetrical rhythm and structure of a Purim copla, this song combines several themes: the story of Haman who wished to destroy the people of...
Jerusalem National Sound Archives placement: Yc1621/4 This copla, which serves a paraliturgical function, is traditionally sung at home around the table during the holiday of Tu Bishvat. It offers a charming portrayal of various flowers,...
Jerusalem National Sound Archives placement: Y5238/26 This copla, which serves a paraliturgical function, is traditionally sung at home around the table during the holiday of Tu Bishvat. It offers a charming portrayal of various flowers,...
Jerusalem National Sound Archives placement: Yc 931/1 This copla, which serves a paraliturgical function, is traditionally sung at home around the table during the holiday of Tu Bishvat. It offers a charming portrayal of various...
Jerusalem National Sound Archives placement: Y5773/5 From Cantares y Romances Tradicionales Sefardies de Marruecos, 1991 In this rare Bar mitsvah song,  the son asks his parents for a special room to study in. This version...
Jerusalem National Sound Archives placement: Y4588/5 Referenced and notated in: Judeo-Spanish Moroccan Songs for the Life Cycle, pg.35,  The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, 1989 Susana Weich-Shahak. This is a copla for the Bar mitsva ceremony....
Jerusalem National Sound Archives placement: Y03979 This is part of the havdala song: Al Dio alto.
Song for Havdala asking for health and joy, life for children as well the performing the rituals of naming of the girl, circumcision  of the boy and the laying of the tefilim (allusive to the...
The first part of this song is a children's melody for the traditional blessing for food, the second melody is part of the Havdala home ritual.
This popular verse,  is a stanza taken from the copla about the fall of Haman. Its success is perhaps due to the opportunity to ridicule the wicked Haman, who, due to being drunk, (as is...
This popular verse,  is a stanza taken from the copla about the fall of Haman. Its success is perhaps due to the opportunity to ridicule the wicked Haman, who, due to being drunk, (as is...
Jerusalem National Sound Archives placement: Y 2919/8  Referenced and notated in: El ciclo de la vida, pg. 121, Editorial Alpuerto, 2013 Susana Weich-Shahak. This Coplas' text is probabaly influenced by late midrashim (Sefer Hayashar), placing Abraham's...
Jerusalem National Sound Archives placement: Y5773 This copla is typical of the Sephardic repertoire of northern Morocco. Its theme is the figure of Queen Esther, whose intelligence and beauty convinced King Ahasuerus to save the...