74. La esperanza (La Gloria)

This is the earliest recording (1907) of a Judeo-Spanish version of the Zionist song Hatikvah. This version originates in Sarajevo and seems to have been known only there as oral testimonies recorded in Israel from Sarajevan immigrants show (NSA Y 6472- a and YC/1097). We assume that the journalist and Zionist activist from Sarajevo Avraham Kapon (or Cappon 1853-1930) composed this text, although there is still no tangible evidence for this attribution. About the same time the Bosanski Instrumentalni i Pjevački Terzett recorded a shorter version (see no. 78 below). It was sung in Sarajevo in the weekly ceremony of Havdalah (the ending ceremony of the Sabbath, Isidor Levy, NSA Y 6472-a) and on the holiday of Simhat Torah (Eliezer Papo). Elazar documented this song with an additional stanza (1987, p. 236).

Donde el sol caliente esclarece

los valles rondosos tienen su frescor.

Allí donde el higo dulce crece,

el Yordan vivo corre con rumor.

Allí es nuestra esperanza,

allí es nuestra alianza.

O, tu tierra de los antiguos,

sea a nos mamparo a los enemigos.

Donde nuestros padres descindieron,

reyes de Israel gobernaron,

donde templos santos setuaron

que los enemigos derrocaron.