Pello Joxepe

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Pello Joxepe is a traditional Basque song. It is very popular in Basqueland, as its music is used by bertsolariak to improvise their compositions. Therefore, it may be sung with different lyrics.

In 2005 Pello Joxepe became known worldwide, when it was published that the Israeli song Yerushalayim Shel Zahav (Jerusalem of Gold) was partially based on its melody. The Spanish singer Paco Ibáñez offered a concert in Israel in 1962, where the famous Israeli song writer and singer Naomi Shemer could hear the lullaby. After the recovery of Eastern Jerusalem by Israel in 1967, Yerushalayim Shel Zahav became the symbol for the united city. Pello Joxepe stands for the typical Basque anticlericalism.

[edit] Lyrics

Here is the standard version of the lyrics, both in Basque and in English.

[edit] Pello Joxepe (Basque)

Pello Joxepe tabernan dala
haurra jaio da Larraulen (Bis)
etxera joan da esan omen du:
“Ez da neria izanen,
beraren amak topa dezala
haur horrek aita zein duen”.

Hau pena eta pesadunbria!
Senarrak haurra ukatu (Bis)
“Pello Joxepe bihotz neria
haur horrek aita zu zaitu
haur horrentzako beste jaberik
ezin nezake topatu.

Zure semia besuan daukat
senarra aldamenian (Bis)
orain denborik eztaukat eta
zuazkit ordu onian
neronek abisatuko zaizut
garaia datorrenian”.

“Fortunosoa nintzela baina
ni naiz fortuna gabia, (Bis)
abade batek eraman dizkit
umea eta andria:
haurra berea bazuen ere
andrea nuen neria”.

Patzientzia hartu bihar da
munduon Pello Joxepe, (Bis)
andria ere zuria izanda
haurra bestena diote;
gizonen faltan igarotzen da
basoan zenbait larrarte.

[edit] Pello Joxepe (English)

While Pello Joxepe was in the tavern
A child has been born in Larraul (bis).
Hi goes home and says:
"This child is not mine.
His mother will have to find
His father."

What a terrible pity!
The husband has denied the child (bis).
[The mother says]: "Pello Joxepe, my love,
you are the father of this child.
I couldn't find another one
For him."

"I have your child in my arms
and my husband with me (bis)."
[Pello Joxepe] "Now I have no time,
come another time,
I'll tell you
When it's convenient."

"I was happy, but
now I am not any more (bis).
A priest has stolen
The child and my wife from me.
The child was his
But the wife at least was mine."

In this world, Pello Joxepe,
We need patience.
She was your wife,
But the child is said to be of another one.
When the men are out
Women spend their time in the forest, amongst brambles.