Sung by Laura Cadoch Israel. Tetuán, 1956.

In this 19th century Moroccan ballad, Tara, a Moorish girl, tells the governor that Sol, a Jewish girl, wants to convert to Islam. Brought before him, Sol denies the rumor proclaiming her faith in Judaism. Impressed by her beauty, the governor orders her to prison where he tries to seduce her -- and she rejects him. The king's sister pleads with her to accept Islam, and marry her brother. She refuses, even when the executioner holds the sword to her throat.

When Tara stirred up the trouble,
They sentenced the lovely Sol
Accusing her falsely
In front of the governor

"Farewell father, mother and brothers,
I must go before the king,
Even if I swear and live by other laws,
I will die a Jew."

When Sol entered the palace,
They were astonished to see her beauty;
Her heart was full of sadness,
Because her soul already belonged to God

The governor sends her
To the prison in order to seduce her;
Then and there, he declares:
"If you are not a Moor, I will take your life."

"I was locked up in jail;
No one came to see me,
Only God, who protected me
By sending the angel Gabriel."

“Don’t be afraid lovely
"Don't be afraid, lovely Jewish girl,"
Said the king's sister;
"Accept the law of Mohammed,
And you will be my brother's wife."

"I despise the law of Mohammed,
And honor the law of Moses,
Who received it on Mount Sinai,
In the presence of all Israel."

When the executioner unsheathed his sword;
And without mercy placed it at her throat,
He said, "If you want to be a Moor,
Think about it; you still have time.

Woe is me; I die of sorrow:
When Sol disappeared.

Armistead: Vol. II, pg. 235 (U7)

Sung by Laura Cadoch Israel. Tetuán, 1956.

Cuando Tara levantó el enredo,
sentenciaron a la hermosa Sol;
le hicieron juramento falso
en presencia del gobernador.

"Adiós padre, madre y hermanos,
que me voy en presencia del rey
aunque juro y ofrezco otras leyes,
yo hebrea tengo que morir."

Cuando Sol entró al palacio,
se admiraron de ver su belleza;
su corazón se llenó de tristeza
porque su alma ya era para Dios

El gobernador la manda
a una cárcel para seducirla;
y ahí mismo, le declara:
"Si no eres mora, te quito la vida”.

"En la cárcel estuve encerrada;
sin que nadie entróse a verme,
solo Dios, que a su guardia mandaba
en presencia del angel Gabriel."

“No temas, hermosa
"No temas, hermosa hebrea,"
le decía la hermana del rey;
“Profesa la ley mahometana,
y de mi hermano serás su mujer."

"Yo desprécio la ley mahometana,
y aprécio la ley de Mosé,
que en el monte del Sinai fue dada,
en preséncia de todo Israel."

Cuando el verdugo desenvainó su espada,
y se la puso al cuello sin tener piedad,
y le dice: "Si quieres ser mora,
piensalo bien, que aun tienes lugar."

¡Ay de mí, que de penas padesco!
cuando Sol desapareció.