Levantísme, madre, un lunes de mañana, fuerame al mercado, por ver cómo alborea, mi pastor. Mercara un marido de honra y de fama, carpintero era y maestro le llaman, ay, mi pastor. - Maestro, maestro, arregleme esta arca, la llave de oro y la chapa de plata, ay, mi pastor.
Wake me up, mother, one Monday morning, I will go to the market, to see the dawn, my shepherd. I would buy a husband of honor and fame, he will be a carpenter and they call him a master, oh, my shepherd. - Master, master, fix this chest for me, the key is golden and the cover is silver, oh, my shepherd.
Jerusalem National Sound Archives placement: Y 2989/19 Referenced and notated in: Judeo-Spanish Moroccan Songs for the Life Cycle, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, 1989 Susana Weich-Shahak This traditional wedding song from Tangier is typically performed with a single castanet, held in one hand and rhythmically tapped by the other. The songs are usually sung consecutively, maintaining the same castanet rhythm. The lyrics highlight the desirable qualities of a husband, emphasizing a good family background and a respectable profession.
This website was created by Orit Perlman with the collaboration and blessings of Dr. Susana Weich-Shahak in 2025