This delightful song is almost certainly Turkish in origin, although songs and other cultural traditions, as well as commerce, were shared with Jewish communities in the Balkans, so it’s always a bit risky to make definitive statements about where a particular song originated. Susan learned this song when she was a member of Colors of the Flame, a trio that included Flory’s daughter, Lori Jagoda Lowell, and the late Betsy Carey. We have used the Colors’ arrangement as a base for our version. Among the many recorded versions, the one by Los Pasharos Sephardies is a favorite.
Susan, Tina, Howard, and Gina, vocals; Brian and Howard, shakers.
| LADINO | ENGLISH |
| Tres klavinas en un tiesto | Three carnations in a bowl, |
| Una blanka y una ros | One white, one pink, |
| La d’en medio kolorada | And in the middle a bright red, |
| Empesijo del amor. | The birth of love. |
| Aman Minnush, kusun Minnush | Ah, Minnush, my Minnush. |
| No me veyas amariyo | Don’t you see how bitter I am. |
| Mis karas eran kunjas | My cheeks had been like roses. |
| El amor y la tikiya | Love and sorrow |
| Me truxeron a este hal | Brought me this mischief. |
| Aman Minnush… | Ah, Minnush… |
| A los siyelos vo subir | I want to go to heaven, |
| A las siyete tabakás | To the seventh heaven. |
| Flecha d’oro vo echar | I will throw golden arrows |
| Onde kaye mi mazal. | Thither where my fortune is. |
| Aman Minnush… | Ah, Minnush… |
