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Gerineldo
Lyrics re-orchestrated by Inez (Rosanera) de Rusconi, 1998

Gerineldo is one of the songs to be found on Ensemble Sepharad's CD Songs of the Spanish Jews in the Mediterranean and the Ottoman Empire [BMG Classics 05472-77372-2]. This CD is a must have: it makes the effort both to document Sephardic music and to trace the evolution of a song from one country to another.

I particularly like Gerineldo: below is my version of the English translation that follows the translation in the liner notes. However, as you will discover, my version scans (for the most part) to the music of the Algerian variation, beginning with the line: Gerineldo, Gerineldo, mi kavayero polido ken te me diera esta l'infanta desde su alto kastiyo…

Gerineldo, Gerineldo
Gerineldo, my gentle knight.
Will you enter my bedchamber?
Will you service me until the dawn's light?"

Fairest princess, I am your servant:
My place makes me easy to taunt..."
"This is not a joke -- Gerineldo
'Tis the truth: it is you that I want."

"At what hour should I come see you?
At what hour shall it be all right?"
"When my father the King is sleeping
In the castle -- meet me here at midnight."

A black veil and silken slippers
did he wear so as not to be heard.
Up a ladder through her window
Did he enter without a word.

While in each other's arms a-kissing
did the two lovers fall asleep,
Long after the hour of midnight,
Did the King to his daughter's room creep.

To his shock did the King find his daughter
In the arms of a man as a wife.
"What shall I do with my subject
And whom shall lose their life?"

If I murder my dearest daughter
I would have to live with her last breath.
But if I take the life of her lover
Of my kingdom I shall be bereft.

'Twill be better to say nothing
To maintain what I have in my life.
Just as when a husband proves to be more of less
Is the silence maintained by his wife.

Thus the King took his sword from his side
And then lay it betwixt the two.
When the Princess awoke touching it
of her father's presence she knew.

Awake, awake Gerineldo
by my father's sword we are both lost.
For this blade bears the witness
Of what this girl's folly shall cost.

In the King's garden next morning
With the King Gerineldo did meet
"Why the long face, Gerineldo?
Why stand you there with eyes to you feet?"

Do not answer you lowly scoundrel
For I know in whose bed you do sleep!
Why of all my lilies and of my roses
Did you pick my dear daughter to keep?

Now listen to me Gerineldo
As a husband my daughter you'll serve"
Nay, most honoured King" the stupid servant replied
Give the true scoundrel what she deserves.

For oath I have sworn to almighty God
That a virgin I shall take to wife...