FHUHS Spanish

Ladino Hanukkah

Jews, Moors and Christians co-occupied the Iberian peninsula for centuries before the Moors and Jews were expelled in 1492 by Los reyes católicos. The Moors, of course, spoke primarily Arabic even while living on the Iberian peninsula, but the Jewish population largely spoke Castillian (as the term “Spanish” didn’t then exist.). When they were expelled, they carried 15th century Castillian Spanish with them to what is now Eastern Europe and North Africa, and they continue to speak what is now known as Ladino. Listening and reading Ladino is a fun exercise. See how much Spanish you recognize as you read along.

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Ocho Kandelas

This song, Ocho Kandelas is a traditional children’s song singing about the 8 candles lighted during the Hanukkah season.

Hanukah linda sta aki,
ocho kandelas para mi, 

Hanukah linda sta aki,
ocho kandelas para mi. O…

Una kandelika, dos kandelikas, tres kandelikas, 

kuatro kandelikas, sintyu kandelikas, sej kandelikas,

siete kandelikas, ocho kandelas para mi.

Los pastelikos vo kumer,
con almendrikas i la myel.
Los pastelikos vo kumer,
con almendrikas i la myel. O…

Una kandelika, dos kandelikas, tres kandelikas, 

kuatro kandelikas, sintyu kandelikas, sej kandelikas,

siete kandelikas, ocho kandelas para mi.

Muchas fiestas vo fazer,
con alegrias i plazer. 

Muchas fiestas vo fazer,
con alegrias i plazer. O…

Una kandelika, dos kandelikas, tres kandelikas, 

kuatro kandelikas, sintyu kandelikas, sej kandelikas,

siete kandelikas, ocho kandelas para mi.

Kita’l tas

The version of Kita’l tas here is a live recording from December 27, 1986 done by a great folk group called Voice of the Turtle. Sadly, the group is no longer performing after the death of their artistic director Judith Wachs. The many excellent recordings of Ladino music from the Sephardic diaspora are available from the VOT web site, or from Amazon.

This song, from the album Circle of Fire, is used with the very kind permission of Jay Rosenberg, one of the original members of the group. Thank you Mr. Rosenberg!

Kita’l tas mete’l tas
Las muchachas meten bas
En el mez de Hanuka
Suriaremos l’asefa

Kita la gayina de la kuzina
Kita la gayina de la kuzina
Dale’l kaldo a la vezina
Ke le sea melezina
en el mez de Hanuka
Suriaremos l’asefa

Kita’l tas mete’l tas
Las muchachas meten bas
En el mez de Hanuka
Suriaremos l’asefa

La una kita l’alzeite
De un teneke hasta diez
La otra kita l’arina
De un saco asta diez
Para azer los burmuelos
En los días de Hanuka
Suriaremos l’asefa

Kita’l tas mete’l tas
Las muchachas meten bas
En el mez de Hanuka
Suriaremos l’asefa

Hanuka

Another song from Voice of the Turtle’s Circle of Fire. A very simple celebration which encourages participation.

La, la, la, la, la, la, la, la, la, la, la, la, la, la, la, la.
La, la, la, la, la, la, la, la, la, la, la, la, la, la, la, la, la, la, la, la, la, la, la.

Hanuka, Hanuka,
Ocho dias di felicitas.

La, la, etc.

Hanuka, Hanuka,
Ocho dias di kantar.

La, la, etc.

Hanuka, Hanuka,
Ocho dias di bailar.

La, la, etc.

Hanuka, Hanuka,
Ocho dias di kuzar.

La, la, etc.

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