Esto, esto es el baile la pena le vale de bailar Charlston. Cada dia penando al viernes asperando para jueves bailar Charlston. Mama, haceme la cama que sto muy cansada de bailar Charlston. Mama, mercame calzado que me se 'struyeron de bailar Charlston.
This, this is the dance
the sorrow is worth it,
to dance the Charleston. Every day in sorrow,
waiting for Friday,
for Thursday, to dance the Charleston Mama, make me the bed,
for I’m very tired
from dancing the Charleston. Mama, buy me new shoes,
for mine got ruined
from dancing the Charleston.
Jerusalem National Sound Archives placement: Yc2936/19 Referenced and notated in: En Buen Siman, Panorama del repertorio Musical Sefardi, pg. 173, Pardes Publishing House, 2006 The Charleston swept the 20th century and with it the Sephardic Jews were influenced as well, placing ladino texts on the popular melodies of the time.
This website was created by Orit Perlman with the collaboration and blessings of Dr. Susana Weich-Shahak in 2025