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 luz del Dio, en una prezión tan persa yo no vide luz del Dio. Me kresieron las mis unyas de un palmo fist'a tres, me kresieron mes kaveyos de kavesa asta pies. Pashariko, pashariko, asérkate al lado de mí, te kontaré los mes males, ke te metas a yorar. Si verías mes kreaturas, es muy grande manzía, si verías a me mujer, es muy grandi tresteza. Tres anyos ke sto enserado, yo no vide luz del Dio, en una prizión tan persa yo no vide luz del Dio Translation: Three years I am locked up and cannot see God’s light My nails grew from one inch to three my hair had grown long from head to my feet Little bird, little bird, come to my side, I will tell you my sorrows and it will make you cry Had you seen my children you would know how great is my grief Had you seen my wife you would know how great is my sorrow Three years I am locked up and cannot see God’s light In a prison so terrible I cannot see God’s light
This website was created by Orit Perlman with the collaboration and blessings of Dr. Susana Weich-Shahak in 2025