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

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