Zambra del Sacromonte

Zambra del Sacromonte is a work commissioned by the Coro Nubah of Granada, Spain. The zambra is a type of flamenco palo whose origin, although uncertain, is linked to the fusion of Moorish dances and gypsy wedding traditions. The piece is made up of the three main songs and dances of weddings: the Alboreá, so called because it is celebrated at dawn, where the bride proves her purity; the Cachuchá, where the groom asks the bride’s parents for forgiveness; and the Mosca, which represents the moment of exaltation and celebration as the climax of the nuptials

Esta noche mando yo,
mañana mande quien quiera.
Esta noche voy a poné
por las esquinas banderas.


Dichosa la mare que tiene que dá
rosas y jazmines en la madrugá.


Olé, salero, olé salero,
qué bien le sienta a la novia el velo.
Olé, salero, olé y Holanda,
qué bien le sienta al novio la banda.


Alevanta padrino honrao,
que a la novia ya la han coronao.


La cachuchá de mi mare
es más grande que la mía.
Que se la vi de ayer tarde
cuando se queó dormía.
Ven a mi, junto a mi vera, ven a mi.


La cachuchá de mi pare
se la ha llevaíto el viento
y yo le digo a mi mare,
la lú del conocimiento:
Vámonos, a Puerto Rico, vámonos.


Niña la mosca de Arangué,
que una y una son dos, son dos.
La picarilla de la mosca,
que dónde le vino a picar, debajo del delantal.


A cómo llevas la libra de las castañas tostás,
churumbito, chumbito, chumbá.
Mariquilla, cuánto vales… un millón.

Tonight I’m in charge,
Tomorrow, let whoever wants to be in charge.
Tonight I’m going to put
flags on the corners.


Blessed is the mother who has to give
roses and jasmines at dawn.


Olé, salero, olé salero,
how well the bride’s veil suits her.
Olé, salero, olé and Holland,
how well the sash suits the groom.


Wake up, honourable godfather,
the bride has already been crowned.


My mother’s “cap”
Is bigger than mine.
I saw her yesterday afternoon
when she fell asleep.
Come to me, by my side, come to me.


My father’s “cap”
The wind has blown it away
And I say to my mother,
The light of knowledge:
Let’s go, to Puerto Rico, let’s go.


Girl, “la mosca” of Arangué,
that one and one are two, are two.
The rogue of “la mosca”,
Where did she come to bite, under her apron.


How much does a pound of roasted chestnuts
cost? churumbito, chumbito, chumbá.
Mariquilla, how much you’re worth… a million.