Songs of a Macedonian Gypsy (CD Version)

Esma Redzepova and Usnija Jasarova

The Romani people developed a unique style of music over many centuries of migration, picking up and transforming elements from a wide range of countries and cultures. This is apparent in Songs of a Macedonian Gypsy (CD Version), in which two female singers, some instrumentalists, and occasionally two male singers perform Gypsy folk songs and dances from Macedonia. The music borrows from Middle Eastern, Turkish, and European styles (to name a few) as singers convey themes of love, marriage, and sorrow in a Romani language as well as in Macedonian. This is the reissue of MON00496, which includes additional tracks but is missing one track, “Sikou Horespe Mazi Mou (Get Up and Dance).”

*Content Advisory: Most Roma consider the term “Gypsy” an offensive identifier or a racial slur. Some Roma, however, have used “Gypsy” as a self-identifier and continue to do so. Roma have been a marginalized group for centuries, and the term “Gypsy” has been used in violent and racist ways. Smithsonian Folkways has chosen to leave the album as published in its original state to serve as a historical document; however, we encourage the listener to learn more about Roma history and culture, and the continued fight for Roma rights. For more information, please see these resources from the European Roma Rights Centre, the World Directory of Minorities and Indigenous Peoples, and Amnesty International.

- Anna Kate Cannon, 2021–22 Dumbarton Oaks Fellow at SFR, and Dr. Adriana Helbig, professor of Music at the University of Pittsburgh, contributed to the research and writing for this statement.

For our policy on controversial recordings, please see our Frequently Asked Questions page.

Track Listing

101	Esma Kiri Gilli (Esma's Song)	Esma Redzepova and Usnija Jasarova	01:55
102	I Curse You, Mother (Hajri Mate Diki Daje)	Esma Redzepova and Usnija Jasarova	03:02
103	Beautiful Girl (Caje Sukarije)	Esma Redzepova and Usnija Jasarova	03:25
104	Gypsy Dance (Cocek)	Esma Redzepova and Usnija Jasarova	02:34
105	I Have Seen Much (Buda Dikljum)	Esma Redzepova and Usnija Jasarova	02:54
106	Oh, My God (Ah, Devla)	Esma Redzepova and Usnija Jasarova	03:24
107	Macedonian Horo (Soborsko Oro)	Esma Redzepova and Usnija Jasarova	03:29
108	Little Gypsy Girl (Meda Sijum Temori)	Esma Redzepova and Usnija Jasarova	04:12
109	The Deceitful Shepherd (Jolandji Coban)	Esma Redzepova and Usnija Jasarova	03:19
110	Shiptar Dance (Sote Masala)	Esma Redzepova and Usnija Jasarova	03:54
111	Dzulo, Dzulo	Esma Redzepova and Usnija Jasarova	04:13
112	The Young Bride (Ustili Caj Rano Sabajle)	Esma Redzepova and Usnija Jasarova	03:30
113	Oh, Young One (Abre Ramce)	Esma Redzepova and Usnija Jasarova	03:00
114	The Song and the Girl (Pjesma Devojka)	Esma Redzepova and Usnija Jasarova	02:22
115	Every Night I Wander About (Save Rat Daje Me Pirava)	Esma Redzepova and Usnija Jasarova	02:32
116	I Won't Get Married (Da Me Molat Ne Se Zenam)	Esma Redzepova and Usnija Jasarova	02:24
117	Look at This Girl, Mother (Oketano Nano Odoja Caja)	Esma Redzepova and Usnija Jasarova	03:09
118	Get Up, Father (Ustli, Ustli Baba)	Esma Redzepova and Usnija Jasarova	02:59
119	Sweet Dreams (Me Suneste Aljan)	Esma Redzepova and Usnija Jasarova	02:21
120	Unhappy Lonliness (Aciljum Corori)	Esma Redzepova and Usnija Jasarova	02:01
121	Romany Horo (Romano Oro)	Esma Redzepova and Usnija Jasarova	02:32