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Songs of a Macedonian Gypsy

Esma Redžepova and Usnija Jašarova
Songs of a Macedonian Gypsy

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: While some Roma have and continue to use “Gypsy” as a self-identifier, many consider the term offensive or a racial slur. Romani people are a minoritized ethnic group in Europe who have been persecuted for centuries, and the term “Gypsy” has been used in violent and racist ways. We encourage you 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, RomArchive, 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

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101
Esma's Song (Esma Kiri Gilli) Esma Redzepova and Usnija Jasarova 01:55
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102
I Curse You, Mother (Hajri Mate Diki Daje) Esma Redzepova and Usnija Jasarova 03:02
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103
Beautiful Girl (Čaje Šukarije) Esma Redzepova and Usnija Jasarova 03:25
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104
Gypsy Dance (Čoček) Esma Redzepova and Usnija Jasarova 02:34
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105
I Have Seen Much (Buda Dikljum) Esma Redzepova and Usnija Jasarova 02:54
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106
Oh, My God (Ah, Devla) Esma Redzepova and Usnija Jasarova 03:24
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107
Macedonian Horo (Soborsko Oro) Esma Redzepova and Usnija Jasarova 03:29
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108
Little Gypsy Girl (Meda Sijum Ternori) Esma Redzepova and Usnija Jasarova 04:12
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109
The Deceitful Shepherd (Jolandji Čoban) Esma Redzepova and Usnija Jasarova 03:19
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110
Shiptar Dance (Šote Mašala) Esma Redzepova and Usnija Jasarova 03:54
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111
Džulo, Džulo Esma Redzepova and Usnija Jasarova 04:13
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112
The Young Bride (Uštili Čaj Rano Sabajle) Esma Redzepova and Usnija Jasarova 03:30
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113
Oh, Young One (Abre Ramče) Esma Redzepova and Usnija Jasarova 03:00
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114
The Song and the Girl (Pjesma I Devojka) Esma Redzepova and Usnija Jasarova 02:22
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115
Every Night I Wander About (Save Rat Daje Me Pirava) Esma Redzepova and Usnija Jasarova 02:32
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116
I Won't Get Married (Da Me Molat Ne Se Ženam) Esma Redzepova and Usnija Jasarova 02:24
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117
Look at This Girl, Mother (Oketano Nano Odoja Čaja) Esma Redzepova and Usnija Jasarova 03:09
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118
Get Up, Father (Ûsti, Ûsti Baba) Esma Redzepova and Usnija Jasarova 02:59
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119
Sweet Dreams (Me Suneste Aljan) Esma Redzepova and Usnija Jasarova 02:21
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120
Unhappy Loneliness (Ačiljum Čorori) Esma Redzepova and Usnija Jasarova 02:01
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121
Romany Horo (Romano Oro) Esma Redzepova and Usnija Jasarova 02:32