Yo me levantaría un lunes
y un lunes por la mañanita,
cogiera mi cantaro en mano
y a la fuente fuera por agua.
Y a la mitad de aquel camino
con mis amores me encontrara,
tiróme la manita al cuello,
la gargantilla me tocara.
– Tate, tate, tú el caballero,
dejame, me ire a mi casa,
me lavare mi lindo y cuerpo,
me pondre camisita blanca,
me ciñere mi cinturita
con una kusaka morada.
Ay, Alaidín, que no hay dote,
deja el amor para la noche,
ay Alaidín que no hay nada,
deja el amor para mañana.
Ay, si las joyas me trujites,
a la cama ya te subiste,
si las joyas no m’ has traído,
fuera, fuera, con el vecino.
I would wake up on a Monday
and on a Monday morning,
take my pitcher in hand
and go to the fountain for water.
And halfway down that road
I would find my love,
He would throw his hand around my neck,
and touch my necklace.
“Come on, come on, you gentleman,
leave me, I’ll go home,
I’ll wash my pretty body,
I’ll put on a white shirt,
I’ll tie my waist
with a purple sash
Oh, Alaidín, there’s no dowry,
leave love for tonight,
oh Alaidín, there’s nothing,
leave love for tomorrow.
Oh, if you brought me the jewels,
you’ve already climbed into bed,
if you haven’t brought me the jewels,
out, out, with the neighbor.
Jerusalem National Sound Archives placement: NSA Y 2185/1
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 don't expressly refer to a wedding but are of a more flirtatious character.
This website was created by Orit Perlman with the collaboration and blessings of Dr. Susana Weich-Shahak in 2025