Origins: Jerusalem of Gold Controversy Over

Subject: Origins: Jerusalem of Gold Controversy is Over
From: GUEST,Allen
Date: 05 May 05 - 04:07 PM

I was watching the news on one of the Israeli channels, and a letter by the late Naomi Shemer (the most prolific Israeli lyricist) has laid to rest a controversy about the tune's origins.
The claim had been made that the melody was in fact from a Basque song, Joseba's Hair, performed by Paco Ibanez among others, a claim which Shemer had hotly denied.
Turns out she had used it unintentionaly, something she hadn't realised until it was brought up years later, and panicked.

http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/572475.html

Subject: RE: Origins: Jerusalem of Gold Controversy Over
From: Jack The Lad
Date: 06 May 05 - 11:27 AM

So many songs or tunes are based on older folk songs, that I don't think it matters. Jerusalem of Gold is one of the very few modern Hebrew songs that can be considered a folk song , in my opinion. Or if not already so ,will become one.
Naomi Shemer was ill and dying when she finally admitted it- and considered, amidst her illness that she was being punished for appropriating the tune as hers. I too watched the item on the news, and found a close, but not exact similarity in the tunes.
BTW Allen- are you going to Jacob's Ladder?- PM me.
Jack The Lad

Subject: RE: Origins: Jerusalem of Gold Controversy Over
From: GUEST,Allen
Date: 06 May 05 - 11:53 AM

Oh, it's derived. Personaly I thought it was much ado about nothing.
It's not the only one though. The Tikvah derives from a Moldavian tune (which Smetana had borrowed himself) and there are coutnless songs using Russian and other Eastern European tunes.
I don't know if I can afford Jacob's Ladder this year, but I do live 5 minutes away.

Subject: RE: Origins: Jerusalem of Gold Controversy Over
From: Jack The Lad
Date: 07 May 05 - 11:50 AM

Guest Allen- I can't PM you as you are a Guest( Why not join MC?)
If you come to Jacob's Ladder there will be at least 3 Mudcatters there! A veritable Middle Eatern Mudcat Gathering- prices are lower Saturday only.
All Mudcatters are invited to join us either virtually at www.jlfestival.com or in person by the beautiful sea of Galilee.
Jack The Lad

Subject: RE: Origins: Jerusalem of Gold Controversy Over
From: Mark Cohen
Date: 08 May 05 - 04:26 AM

It looks like the Jacob's Ladder Festival in Israel will be wonderful...wish I could be there. I noticed that one of the bands listed, "Ruach" (spirit) is composed of Israelis and Palestinians. The website for the group they are affiliated with, Guns2Guitars, was impressive and inspiring. Though I imagine it's not everyone's cup of Manischewitz.

Aloha,
Mark

Subject: PELLO JOXEPE Basque tune similar to J of Gold
From: Felipa
Date: 07 Nov 22 - 05:45 PM

I could find nothing on internet re a song or tune called Joseba's Hair, but the Basque title is Pello Joxepe and the Wikipedia page includes lyrics and music https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pello_Joxepe

PELLO JOXEPE

Hau pena eta pesadumbria!
Senarrak haurra ukatu.
"Pello Josepe, bihotz nirea,
haur horrek aita zu zaitu.
haur horrentzako beste jaberik
ezin nezake topatu".

"Fortunosoa nintzela baina
ni naiz fortuna gabea.
Abade batek eraman ditu
umea eta andrea.
Aita berea bazuen ere
Andrea nuen nerea."
Translation

While Peter Joseph is in the bar,
a boy is born in Larraun.
While Peter Joseph is in the bar,
a boy is born in Larraun.
He went home and is said to say:
"It will not be mine,
let this child's mother find
who is this child's father."

What a pity and sadness!
The husband refusing the child.
"Peter Joseph, my heart.
this child has you as a father.
For this child, another owner
could not be found."

"I am fortunate,
but I have no fortune.
A priest has taken
the kid and the wife.
Although it had his father,
I had my wife."

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YccZk1Ao2IY recording by Paco Ibanez