Romancero

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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.

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Jerusalem National Sound Archives placement: Yc Y4508/22 Referenced and notated in: Romancero Sefardi de Oriente, pg. 72, Editorial Alpuerto, 2010 Susana Weich-Shahak. This is a Romansa that describes the sadness of King David on hearing...
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...
From Arboleras Vol. 2 - Romances Sefardies Tradicion Oral
From Ventanas Altas de Saloniki, 2013.
From Ventanas Altas de Saloniki, 2013.
From Arboleras Vol. 2 - Romances Sefardies Tradicion Oral
From Decile a mi Amor, Judeo-Spanish songs from Tetuan, 2018.
From Merendjenas, Orit Perlman, 2023
Blancaflor and Filomena [The seducer of her sister-in-law] (6) (F 1) According to Ovideo, Progne asks her husband Itys to bring her her sister Filomela. Itys brings her but demands love for her and when...