Romancero

Home /  

Romancero

Romancero, akin to the ballad, originated in medieval Spain, often depicting royal intrigue, betrayals, and war captives, though not always tied to Jewish life. Some, however, have biblical themes from Jewish sources. Structurally, it consists of consecutive rhyming lines, with every two forming a repeating musical unit. Passed orally from mother to daughter, Romancero served various roles—accompanying women’s work and functioning as lullabies. Their soothing melodies calmed infants, while engaging narratives held older children’s attention. Often texts traveled between Moroccan and Balkan Jewish communities.

Filters

Filters
Song
Academic title
Congregation
Genre
Life Cycle
Yearly Cycle
Lyric/love Songs
Informant / Performers
From Arboleras Vol. 2 - Romances Sefardies Tradicion Oral
From Arboleras Vol. 2 - Romances Sefardies Tradicion Oral This is a partial version of a Romansa centered on themes of captivity and identity during the era of the Christian–Moorish wars. The story, preserved in...
From Morenika Izmirlia - Judeo-Spanish songs from Smyrna, 2020
From Arboleras Vol. 2 - Romances Sefardies Tradicion Oral
From Arboleras Vol. 2 - Romances Sefardies Tradicion Oral
From Decile a mi Amor, Judeo-Spanish songs from Tetuan, 2018.
From Arboleras - De las altas mares, Ecos Sefardies de la isle de Rodas, 2009
From Ventanas Altas de Saloniki, 2013.
From Morenika Izmirlia - Judeo-Spanish songs from Smyrna, 2020
From Arboleras - De las altas mares, Ecos Sefardies de la isle de Rodas, 2009
From Arboleras Vol. 2 - Romances Sefardies Tradicion Oral
From Arboleras - De las altas mares, Ecos Sefardies de la isle de Rodas, 2009
From Morenika Izmirlia, 2021 This is a Romansa that describes the sadness of King David on hearing of the death of his son Avshalom. Used as a dirge for personal mourning or for collective mourning...