Non pasés por la mi sala, que tengo hija galana, y pasaré. Si tenés hija galana dámela a mí por amada y pasaré. Pasaré y tornaré y l’hablaré y le diré: que la vía no es suya, es del rey. Non pasés por mi cortijo, que tengo hijo garrido, y pasaré. Si tenés hijo garrido dámelo a mí por marido, y pasaré. Pasaré y tornaré.... Non pasés por mi cocina, que tengo hija válida, y pasaré. Si tenés hija válida, dámela a mí por amiga y pasaré. Pasaré y tornaré....
Don’t pass through my hall, for I have a lovely daughter, and I shall pass. If you have a lovely daughter, give her to me as beloved, and I shall pass. I shall pass and return and I’ll speak to her and say: that the road is not hers, it belongs to the king. Don’t pass through my courtyard, for I have a handsome son, and I shall pass. If you have a handsome son, give him to me as a husband, and I shall pass. I shall pass and return... Don’t pass through my kitchen, for I have a honorable daughter, and I shall pass. If you have an honorable daughter, give her to me as a friend and I shall pass. I shall pass and return...
From Arboleras vol. 1 - Sephardic cancionero and coplas oral tradition,1996
A wedding song portraying a conversation between an overprotective, jealous mother and her son (or daughter’s) lover, whom she is trying to dissuade from pursuing the relationship.
This website was created by Orit Perlman with the collaboration and blessings of Dr. Susana Weich-Shahak in 2025