29. La llamada a la Morena + La nave por partir (CES)

A compilation of stanzas of various sources, some of medieval Hispanic origin (CMP A A45; Attias 1972, no. 12; Hemsi 1995, no. 115, Armistead and Silverman 1971b, pp. 57, 99-100). Its earliest documented textual version in a Sephardic written source (Ms. NLI 413, Compiled by David Hacohen, Sarajevo 1794, fol. 175b) includes some stanzas referring to the Jewish wedding ceremony. However, this old version lacks the famous refrain (“Morenica, graciosica sos…”) that was probably added later. The song became one of the most popular ones in the contemporary Ladino commercial market. Albert Beressi recorded it earlier (Odeon 54473, ca. 1908). In this recording by CES, the references to the wedding are not present. The closing line of the refrain, “Mi cara de flor” is rare; in most documented versions it is “Ojos pretos tu” or the Greek equivalent “Mavromata mu.” Bašisten is a market in Salonica mentioned only in the Salonican versions of this song.

Morena a mí me aman,

yo blanca nací.

Del sol del enverano

yo me hizo ansí.

Morenica,

morenica y sabrosica,

mi cara de flor.

Morena a mí me aman

los del Bašisten.

Si otra vez me aman

yo me vo con el.

Morenica…

Dicilde a la morena

que yo va partir.

Las naves estan en velas,

que yo me vo a ir.

Morenica…

Morena a mí me ama

el hijo del rey.

Si otra vez me llama

yo me vo con él.

Morenica…

Dicilde a la morena

que yo va partir.

Las naves estan en velas,

que yo me vo ir.

Morenica…