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
Jerusalem National Sound Archives placement: Y5671/15 Referenced and notated in: Romancero Sefardi de Oriente, pg. 119, Editorial Alpuerto, 2010 Susana Weich-Shahak. Only the first four verses belong to the theme Casada con un viejo -...
Jerusalem National Sound Archives placement: NSA Y 3997/7  Referenced and notated in: Romancero Sefardi de Marruecos, pg. 192, Editorial Alpuerto, Pardes Publishing House, 2018 Susana Weich-Shahak. It is another ballad widely disseminated throughout the Hispanic...
Placement in the National Sound Archives: Y 2854/13 Referenced and notated in: Romancero Sefardi de Marruecos pg. 69, Editorial Alpuerto, Pardes Publishing House, 2018 Susana Weich-Shahak. In later epic poems like Las Mocedades de Rodrigo,...
Placement in the National Sound Archives: Yc 2262/15 Referenced and notated in: Romancero Sefardi de Marruecos, pg. 70, Editorial Alpuerto, Pardes Publishing House, 2018 Susana Weich-Shahak. In later epic poems like Las Mocedades de Rodrigo,...
From Decile a mi Amor, Judeo-Spanish songs from Tetuan, 2018. In later epic poems like Las Mocedades de Rodrigo, the legend of El Cid includes the tale of him killing Jimena Gómez's father, after which...
Jerusalem National Sound Archives placement: 5773/40 Referenced and notated in: Romancero Sefardi de Marruecos, pg. 168, Editorial Alpuerto, Pardes Publishing House, 2018 Susana Weich-Shahak. This is a rare fusion of the two romances: La adúltera...
Jerusalem National Sound Archives placement: Y4552/25 Referenced and notated in: Romancero Sefardi de Marruecos, pg. 159, Editorial Alpuerto, Pardes Publishing House, 2018 Susana Weich-Shahak. Another variety of the evil mother-in-law theme occurs in the peninsula...
From Arboleras - De las altas mares, Ecos Sefardies de la isle de Rodas, 2009 Lyrics: -  Sube arriba, pastor lindo,    comerás de los mis bienes Comerás y beberás    y harás  todo lo que tú...
Jerusalem National Sound Archives placement: Y 3995/2 Referenced and notated in: Romancero Sefardi de Marruecos, pg. 70, Editorial Alpuerto, Pardes Publishing House, 2018 Susana Weich-Shahak.   This Romance is based on several medieval French sources,...
From Kanta Gayiko, Judeo-Spanish songs from Bulgaria, 2025  This is the romance El prisionero, one of the many romances about prisoners, expressed in the first person. Lyrics: Tres anyos ke sto enserado,   yo no vide...
From Ventanas Altas de Saloniki, 2013. This theme is known from the Spanish tradition, a beautiful woman entering the church who is besotted by the priest. She has been faithfully waiting for her true love...
Jerusalem National Sound Archives placement: Y5671/56 Referenced and notated in: Romancero Sefardi de Oriente, pg. 78, Editorial Alpuerto, 2010 Susana Weich-Shahak. Lyrics: Tres hermanicas eran,       tres hermanicas son. Las dos eran casada,   la chica la...
From Morenika Izmirlia - Judeo-Spanish songs from Smyrna, 2020 The title given to this romance is Hero and Leandro, from an ancient legend (in poems by Ovid, Virgilio, Horacio and other poets) about the loved...
From Arboleras - De las altas mares, Ecos Sefardies de la isle de Rodas, 2009 The title given to this romance is Hero and Leandro, from an ancient legend (in poems by Ovid, Virgilio, Horacio...