Sephardic music

'La Serena''

see website: http://sefarad.rediris.es

Old music traditions show us where we come from, rich treasures we have inherited!

Listen to these beautiful songs - click onto the text!

Poem of a wonderful

hebrew 'Sufi'

Solomon Ibn Gabirol (1021-1058)

from Malaga - read more about him - click here

Before I was

Before I was, Thy mercy came to me,
inverting void and being Thou madest me to be.
Who wrought my image, poured my essence
into the crucible and gave me shape?

Who breathed a soul into me
opened the belly of Sheol and took me out?
Who led me from childhood until here?
Who taught me to understand, caused me to marvel?

Indeed I am clay in Thy hand.
Thou didst make me, in truth, not I myself.
I shall confess my sins, and not say to Thee
"The serpent deceived me and led me astray."
How can I hide my guilt from Thee? For indeed
before I was, Thy mercy came to me.