TRES HERMANICAS (THREE LITTLE SISTERS)
(*signifies a refrain – follow the pattern of the first two verses)

Tres hermanicas eran,
*Blancas de roz, Ay ramas de flor!
Tres hermanicas eran, tres hermanicas son.

La dos eran cadezadas,
*Blancas de roz, Ay ramas de flor!
La dos eran cadezadas, la una se deperdió

Su padre con vergüensa, a Rodes l'anbió

En medio del camino, Castillo le fraguó.

De piedra menudica, xixicos al deredor.

Varón es que lo supo, a la marya se echó.

Nadando y navegando, al castillo arrivó.

E'chame tus entresados, arriva suvire'.

Ya l'echo sus entresados, arriva lo suvió.

Ya le quitó acomeres, agua le demandó.

Agua no havía en caza, a la fuente salió.

En medio del camino, la niña se durmío.

Por allí paso el cavallero, tres bezicos le dió.

Uno de cada cara, y uno al coraçón.

Sí el mi querido save, matada meresco yo.

No te mates mi querida, el tu querido so yo.

There were three little sisters,
*Whites of pink, Ay, branches of rose!…
There were three little sisters, there are three little sisters,
Two of them were married, one of them went astray.

Her father, with shame, sent her to Rhodes.

In the middle of the way, he built her a castle

With small stones and with little pebbles all around it.

A man found out and he went to sea.

Swimming and sailing he reached the castle.

Let down your tresses so I can climb up.

She let down her tresses and he climbed up.

She brought out food for him and he asked her for water.

There was no water in the house. She went out to the fountain.

In the middle of the road the girl fell asleep.

The nobleman passed that way. He gave her three kisses:

One on each cheek and one on her heart.

If my beloved finds out, I deserve to die.

Don't destroy yourself, my darling, for I am your beloved.


(from the singing of Judy Frankel, who found the song in "Chants Judeo Espagnols")

JRO