Xinanáy, Xinanáy

Credits

Susan, vocals;
Tina, violin;
Howard, lute;
Steve, tombak

Source: Chants Judeo Espagnols


Xinanáy, Xinanáy, Xinanáy, Xinanáy,
Xinanáy, Xinanáy. Xinanáy, Xinanáy.
Xinanáy komiyó bimbriyo; Xinanay ate some quince;
S’esperó’n medio del río, He waited in the middle of the river,
Esperó que venga’l tío Waiting for his uncle to come
Ke le dé kun el martiyo. To hit him with a hammer.
Xinanáy, Xinanáy, Xinanáy, Xinanáy,
Ta ra ra ra ra Ta ra ra ra ra
Xinanáy komiyo galeta; Xinanay ate a cookie;
S’esperó’n la kamareta, He waited in the bedroom,
Esperó que venga l’Anetta Hoping Annette would come
Ke le dé kun la galecha. To hit him (her?) with a (wooden shoe).
Xinanáy, Xinanáy, Xinanáy, Xinanáy,
Ta ra ra ra ra Ta ra ra ra ra

Description

This song, with its driving pulse and somewhat incomprehensible and menacing lyrics, comes from Sophia, Bulgaria. We have been unable to determine the meaning of the word “galecha,” but it may be a misprint for “galocha,” which means “wooden shoe.”