Dance of the Week
Madre Mija Si Mi Muero
(Ladino music from Bosnia)
Choreographed by Jim Gold
Dear Dancers and Travelers,
Welcome to our folk dance family!
Madre Mija Si Mi Muero is the Dance of the Week.
Music is from the Ukraine
Click on the links below.
See A Treasury of International Folk Dances
Written instructions: p 116
(or see “Read More” below.)
Jim Gold dancing Madre Mija Si Mi Muero
Teaneck Seniors dancing Madre Mija Si Mi Muero
Read a leaf from JIm’s New Leaf Journal: Magic Power of the Audience
Then explore our exciting folk dance and adventure trips at Folk Tours
All content created by Jim Gold.
More information contact Jim
Blog history: blog archives
For written instructions click on “Read More”
MADRE MIJA SI MI MUERO. . . . . BOSNIA (SARAJEVO)
Dance Meaning: Mother, (Mine), If I Die
Pronunciation: Madre miya si me moro: Sung in Ladino.
Choreography: by Jim Gold in Bosnian (Balkan) folk dance style.
Music: Flory Jagoda: Memories of Sarajevo
Formation: Open circle, Hands in W or V positions.
Meter: 2/4
Jim Gold Youtube video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TrIKCXXMNzM
Teaneck Senior Show: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b9mxf7s1RfY
Introduction: 3 measures
Measures:
FIRST STEP (
Hands in W pos. (Step starts on “muero”)
“Rocking two-step”equals one measure, “Rock back”: equals half measure, or one beat
Easy way to explain: Dance “Rocking two-step and back” 4 x
Facing and moving CCW
Rocking two-step and Rock back. Hands in V position.
1 Step to rt on R (ct 1), step L next to R (ct &), rock fwd on R (ct 2)
2 Rock back on L (ct 1), step to rt on R (ct 2), bring L next to R (ct &)
3 Rock fwd on R (ct 1), rock back on L (ct 2)
4 Step to rt on R (ct 1), step L next to R (ct &), rock fwd on R (ct 2)
5 Rock back on L (ct 1), step to rt on R (ct 2), bring L next to R (ct &)
6 Rock fwd on R (ct 1), rock back on L (ct 2)
7 Step to rt on R (ct 1), step L next to R (ct &), rock fwd on R (ct 2)
8 Hands go down, arms in V position,
Step back in L (ct 1), back on R (ct &)
Moving CCW: 1 crossing step
Cross L over R (ct 2), step on R next to L (ct &)
2 crossing steps and lift
9 Cross L over R (ct 1), step on R next to L(ct &)
Cross L over R (ct 2), lift R (ct &)
10 Cross R over L (ct 1), step on L next to R (ct &)
Cross R over L (ct 2), step on L next to R (ct &)
SECOND STEP
Grapevine
1 Cross R over L (ct 1), step on L next to R (ct &)
Step on R behind L (ct 2), step on L next to R (ct &)
Crossing step
2 Cross R over L (ct 1), step on L next to R (ct &)
Cross R over L (ct 2), step on L next to R (ct &)
3 Repeat meas 1
4 Cross R over L (ct 1), step on L next to R (ct &)
Cross R over L (ct 2), lift L (ct &)
Grapevine CCW
5 Cross L over R (ct 1), step on R next to L (ct &)
Step on L behind R (ct 2), step on R next to L (ct &)
6 Crossing step
Cross L over R (ct 1), step on R next to L (ct &)
Cross L over R (ct 2), place R instep next to L calve (ct &)
THIRD STEP
Three 2-steps, and hold
Hands in W position. Moving CCW
1 Step on R (ct 1), bring L next to R (ct &),
Step on R (ct 2), place L instep on R calve (ct &)
2 Step on L (ct 1), bring R next to L (ct &),
Step on L(ct 2), place R instep on L calve (ct &)
3 Step on R (ct 1), bring L next to R (ct &),
Step on R (ct 2), place L instep on R calve (ct &)
4 Step fwd on L, hold R ft behind L calve (ct 1-2)
ORDER OF STEPS:
1. First Step: 1x, Second Step: 1x, Third Step: 1x
2. First Step: 1x, Second Step: 1x, Third Step: 1x
3. First Step: 1x, Second Step: 1x,
Ending:
6 Crossing step
Cross L over R (ct 1), step on R next to L (ct &)
Cross L over R (ct 2)
7 Step into ctr on R to rt(ct 1), step on L behind R (ct &),
Step on R to rt, tch L behind R calve, and hold (2).
Madre Mija Si Mi Muero
Madre mia, si mi muero,
hazanim no kero yo,
si non dodze mansevicos
adelantre le mi aron.
Halva sheker ola…
Madre mia, si mi muero,
ke me yevan davagar,
ke veyan le so mansevico
ke se metan a yorar.
Halva sheker ola…
English translation
Dear mother, if I die
Dear mother, if I die
I don’t want a hazzan1
I just want twelve young men
to carry in my coffin.
Halva2 and sugar3…
Dear mother, if I die
let them carry me gently
so they may see that I’m a young man
let them come in to mourn.
Halva and sugar…