28-30. Licencia para la novia

Three versions of this theme are included in this collection, one from Rhodes and two from Bulgaria. The first one refers to the bride’s farewell from all members of her family, neighbors and friends: “With your permission, my dear mother, I want to go with my husband. My daughter, go to serve him and to honor him, to lay the table, pour and fill his glass. My daughter, be well.” Thereafter the song continues with strophes in the same pattern, except that the permission is asked from “my dear father,” “my dear brothers,” “my dear neighbors,” and “my dear friends.” The second version stresses the bride’s separation from her mother and the mother’s advice even more: “With much permission, good mother, I go with my beloved. Daughter, go with good fortune. I say to you and I tell you that I am going with my beloved. Daughter, go in good fortune. Today, this very day, you are given a husband and you, lovely bride, will know how to serve him, you and your handsome beloved: to serve him and honor him, lay his table and pour his wine, prepare the bed and lie at his side.”