The New Year is upon us. It is a time for letting go of the past and a season of renewal and rebirth. For Sarah Aroeste, it is the perfect time to release yet another song, this one a remake of a traditional Ladino song. Thorough not strictly about the New Year, it is a song that reminds us that we can choose to step into new possibilities and community.
As Aroeste explains:
“Oy qui muevi mezis (Oh what nine months), is a traditional Ladino song about birth and community. The lyrics literally outline the months of gestation and birth, but more than that, it highlights how a community comes together to welcome new life. With guests and family, a mother and child are greeted with food and blessings in celebration. The connection between birth, community, food, and blessings, naturally made me think of the new year and all it represents. I filmed the video in a wadi in Ein Gedi, Israel, with an incredible group of female dancers who brought the birth narrative to life. Together, we hope we’ve created a piece of art of that brings thoughts of renewal and rebirth as we go, communally, into the new year…”
The words to the song are as follows: (Music video below lyrics)
Lyrics to Oy Qui Muevi Mezis:
| Oh, what nine months
Of discomfort you have had A son was born His face like the moon. Long live the child’s mother With her newborn.
When the midwife Says: Push, push The mother says, -Oh, God, deliver me! Her parents say, -Amen, Amen
Here comes the child’s father With the guests In his hand he brings A string of coins In the other hand He brings good fish
Here comes the child’s father Near the bed. The child’s mother says, -Today I did not eat. Quickly bring for her Fattened chicken.
Oh, what a pine, The pine got green again! Long live the child’s father. Let him bring us wine! Oh, what a grapevine Green again grapevine! Long live the child’s mother |
With her newborn!
