Sung by Alicia, Benassayag. Tetuán, 1956.

This song defines the most important events in a woman's life -- courtship, marriage, pregnancy, and birth -- and the conditions for happiness -- a faithful husband, a master craftsman (who earns a good living), and an attentive lover. Marriage between cousins, especially first cousins, was common among Muslims and Jews.

I awakened mother,
On a Monday morning;
I went to the market
As the day was dawning.

Refrain:
Oh, my shepherdess.

I shopped for a husband
Of honor and reputation;
He was a carpenter,
And they call him "Master."

Oh, my shepherdess

Master, Master,
Make this chest;
With a key of gold,
And a lock of silver.

Oh, my shepherdess.

With a key of gold,
And a lock of silver;
And at the first stroke,
He called her "cousin".

Oh, my shepherdess

And at the first stroke,
He called her "cousin":
"You are softer, cousin,
Than fine silk."

Oh, my shepherdess

"To me you are
The light of day."
"And to me you are
A blushing rose."

Oh, my shepherdess.

For seven days
The bride stayed in bed;
And for another few days
She did not eat.

Oh, my shepherdess

And for another few days
She did not eat
And at nine months
She gave birth in bed.

Oh, my shepherdess

And after nine months,
She gave birth in bed;
And after eight days,
She arose from her pillow.

Oh, my shepherdess.

And after eight days,
She arose from her pillow;
And after forty days,
They took her to the bath.*

Oh, my shepherdess.

*Ritual bath, or mikvah.

Sung by Alicia, Benassayag. Tetuán, 1956.

Levanteísme, madre,
un lunes de mañana;
fuérame al mercado
y como alboreaba.

Refran
Y pastora mi.

Comprara un marido
de honra y de fama;
carpintero era,
y "maestro" le llama.

Y pastora mi.

Maestro, maestro,
adobeísme esta arca;
la llave de oro,
la chapa de plata.

Y pastora mi.

La llave de oro,
la chapa de plata;
y al primer golpe,
"prima" la llamaba.

Y pastora mi.

Y al primer golpe,
"prima" la llamaba:
"Mas blanda seís, prima,
que la seda fina."

Y pastora mi

"Vos me parecía
una luz del día."
Y a mi me parece
una rosa encendida."

Y pastora mi.

Siéte diás estuvo
la novia en la cama;
y otros tantos diás
que no come nada.

Y pastora mi.

Y otros tantos diás
que no come nada;
y a los nueve meses,
parida en la cama

Y pastora mi.

Y a los nueve meses,
parida en la cama;
y a los ocho diás,
sacó la almohada.

Y pastora mi.

Y a los ocho diás,
sacó la almohada;
y a los cuarenta diás,
la llevan al agua.*

Y pastora mi.

*Ritual bath, or mikvah.