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Sephardic Folk Songs

Gloria Levy
Sephardic Folk Songs

The Jews of Spain were given a stark choice in the year 1492: convert to Catholicism or go into exile. Those that left Spain (“Sephardic” comes from the Hebrew word for Spain) scattered to various Mediterranean countries, where the Ladino they spoke incorporated elements of the local languages. Gloria Levy’s parents, from Alexandria, Egypt, and Izmir, Turkey—both Ladino speakers—moved to New York City, where Gloria was born. Gloria learned the songs on this recording from her mother, who also provides the mandolin and tambourine accompaniments, while Gloria sings and artfully plays the guitar. Most of the songs are love songs sung in Ladino. Liner notes provide background information plus the song lyrics and their translation.

Track Listing

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101
Quando Veyo Hija Hermoza (When I See a Pretty Girl) Gloria Levy 01:14
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102
Durme Hermoza Donzeya (Sleep Lovely Maiden) Gloria Levy 02:45
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103
Yo Se un Mansevo del Dor (I Am a Very Modern Young Man) Gloria Levy 01:22
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104
Dame La Mano (Give Me Your Hand) Gloria Levy 02:50
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105
La Vida Do Por el Raki (I'd Give My Life for Raki) Gloria Levy 02:20
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106
En Este Mundo (In This World) Gloria Levy 02:09
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107
Fel Sharah Canet Betet Masha (Walking Down the Street) Gloria Levy 01:57
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108
A Tan Alta Va La Luna (The Moon Climbs High) Gloria Levy 01:41
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109
Morenica (Dark Beauty) Gloria Levy 02:15
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201
A la Una Gloria Levy 02:04
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202
Barmeenan! (Heaven Forbid) Gloria Levy 01:26
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203
Minush Gloria Levy 01:44
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204
Ven Hermoza (Come, Pretty Girl) Gloria Levy 00:50
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205
Diz Y Ocho Años Tengo (I Am 18 Years) Gloria Levy 01:03
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206
Tres De La Noche (Three O'Clock In the Morning) Gloria Levy 01:33
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207
La Pastora (The Shepherdess) Gloria Levy 02:59
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208
Arvolicos D'Almendra (Almond Trees) Gloria Levy 01:30
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209
Esta Montana (This Mountain) Gloria Levy 01:33
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210
Fidanico de Yasimin (Little Jasmine) Gloria Levy 01:51
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211
Arvoles Yoran Por Luvias (Trees Cry For Rain) Gloria Levy 01:53
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212
Galanica (Pretty One) Gloria Levy 01:35