A Sephardic song of love that can also be sung as a lullaby. It opens with the phrase 'durme, durme' (sleep, sleep) with which most Sephardic lullabies open. The lyrics then become a confession of love to the sleeping beautiful young woman, hence the alternative title "La ermoza durmiente". One of the most popular songs of the Sephardic tradition, it is recorded in numerous sources and is found in a wide range of regions, such as typically, Rhodes and Thessaloniki in Greece, or areas such as Silyvria or Silymbria, Çanakkale (Greek: Dardanelles) or Constantinople in present-day Turkey. The numerous oral and written records show a huge variety in lyrical and melodic variations. On this platform we present only some of the most interesting recordings listed as originating from Greece.

Source 1: Flora Molho Archive. The identity of the lady singing is unknown. Source 2: Maale Adumim Institute database, catalogue no.: 1858 (Link) Sung by Renee Bivas Source 3: Maale Adumim Institute database, catalogue number 1383 (Link) Sung by Amelie Pinhas This is undoubtedly the most interesting version. Source 4: Maale Adumim Institute database, catalogue number 1395. (Link) Sung by Ester Akoen.

This recording presents a special feature often found in folk songs. The singer, named Ester Akoen personifies the lyrics by making reference to her family. The entire last verse seems to be her own addition, or possibly an addition by a member of her family, as it does not appear in any other recording of the song in question, not even in its original form or in a variant.

Notes: The music guide is based on the general melody of this so popular song. The melodic addition as sung by Amelie Pinhas is included at the end (see source 3).