30. Muero de amor (CES)

Although recorded commercially three times within very few years (Salomon Algazi, Odeon 83061-B, 1906/7; Haim Effendi, 2008, CD. III, no. 3, in 1907/8 and this CES recording), this şarki is not documented in any other Sephardic oral or written source known to us. Apparently, it was never part of the oral tradition, and may have been a Ladino cover of a Turkish popular song. Its literary style and topic (ardent, overt love) underscores its rather modern origins.

Muero, muero d’amor.

Por que sufro dolor, ah, d’amor.

Ven aquí, tú mi hermosa,

a la güert’ es la tuya rosa.

Vate, querido, querido, querido,

ah, ya basta quemarme tanto.

Busquí verte con ardor,

pasí montañas con dolor.

Alcancí a la fin abrazarte.

Sabor y toda mi alma, mi alma, tu alma,

Oh, tu amas, mi alma.

Oh, ah šeker, ah hanum, ah biju.