Schecharchoret - Esther Ofarim

As announced, I herewith present to you a clean-and-clear (special long) version of "Schecharchoret", coming from a long-play ("Esther Ofarim") and a CD record (»Mein Weg zu Dir«) (= "My Way towards You" / «Ma voie vers toi»). Perhaps this song is on Israeli record editions too (which I don't know).
"Schecharchóret / Shecharchóret / Shekharkhóret" means "sun-tanned thus dark-skinned girl" (yes, thankyou; you are all right - but Conmad has given the most exact definition, i think.)
Also: if somebody knows the writer/composer of this song even if it is a traditional, a folksong, so please communicate it to us ... (Thankyou all for having done it!)
Now enjoy this wonderful song sung by one of the most wonderful women's voices ...

[@x.p.4396]

This song is a modern adaptation (in Hebrew) of a Sephardic ballad from the early medieval century . "Morena me llaman" (They call me the Black Beauty) Sephardic (the language is called: LADINO) was used in medieval Spain, later also in Greece, Turkey and Portugal (after the expulsion by Queen Isabella of Spain in the 15th century, the so-called Alhambra Edict) spoken today in Latin America. The Sephardic version as an example here: Morena me llaman. Música Sefardí. Emilio Villalba & Sephardica Texts are almost the same in both songs - only the melody is different. At the beginning of the modern adaptation you can still hear the original melody hinted at before the melody slides into the new composition.

[@belleepoque2544]

Wow. Thanks!

[@SUomiist]

Schecharchoret is a piece of music more sophisticated and rich than the original Morenika (That is the original name) kzbin.info/www/bejne/apKufquabL-eZtU, Besides Ladino is a dead language with 51K speakers, and shares the same context as Yiddish of being a bastard language to the enemies of the Jewish people (Germany and Spain) Hebrew is the language of the Jewish people, not need to use oppressors' languages anymore.

[@gwenapercussion3218]

Ladino is not neccessarily dead. Art is not dead, it has this magnificent capacity of living on as long as these songs are sung. Which they should. Why not? Yiddish is a normal language, and a beautiful one. And music is music. L'chaim!

[@behroozhakimian9868]

Sounds like a voice from the Heavens!! Esther Ofarim is amazing!!

[@lloydbeach7321]

Listening to this incredible vocal is like getting a trip back in time! Absolutely beautiful and haunting!

[@Sybilleaurelie]

Je ne me lasse jamais d'écouter les chansons en Hébreu d'ester Ofarim. L'intonation de sa voix est merveilleuse. Ce sont d'anciens chants. Mes préférés.

[@jenisvalgomesdeoliveira8615]

Tudo que é bom assemelha se ao ouro joias que guardamos no coração

[@suriyaza9395]

לאסתר עופרים יש את הקול הכי יפה בישראל ובכל העולם. אין זמרת בכל העולם שתשווה לשירה המאלפת והמיוחדת של אסתר. קול אלוהי שרק לאסתר יש , לא היה ולא תהיה זמרת ברמת שירה ובצלילי שירתה עם קול וסילסולים שמטריפים כל

[@aliasesableable]

עופרה

[@puppenbuhnebauchkribbeln1183]

Sends warm shivers down my spine and makes me cry happy tears - since I was a little, 6 years old child and this beautiful became my favorite song ( besides Alexandras "Mein Freund der Baum")...I kept singing it all day Long, without understanding a single word - but FEELING it...magic...an all time favorite of mine - THANK you, Esther from the depth of my heart, for this amazing piece of music !!!

[@bixiherzensmensch6940]

Ich habe gerade das Gefühl als würde ich meine eigenen Worte lesen. Und, " mein Freund der Baum" war in meiner Kindheit einer meiner Favoriten. Liebe Grüße von ❤ zu ❤

[@Sybilleaurelie]

What a great song and a splendid velvety voice. I love listening to these sort of classic Hebrew songs contrary to the new boring not melodious ones

[@knavishlassie]

There is also an Israeli dance choreographed for this song.

[@jenisvalgomesdeoliveira8615]

Essa galera hebraica canta pra gente inteligente Eu devo conservar este modelo perfeito porque o atual seja em Israel ou Brasil virou bagunça as regências atuais e mesmo uma vergonha não tem sentido ainda bem que temos reserva 😂😂😂😂😂😢😢😢😢😢🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉❤

[@shoshiyifrachyakov5218]

וואוווו, זה פשוט לא אמיתי. אני נמסה מהקול השמיימי הזה. בכלל, אני נוטה לחפש את השירים של פעם, זה עושה לי טוב על הנשמה.

[@alefbehrang4326]

The magnificent sound of life on Earth.

[@thejupiter2574]

THIS is a beautiful, haunting, moving song cover by Ms. Ofarim. I become moved and abit misty eyed when I hear it because there is a beautiful Israeli Couple's Folkdance to this very song that I used to dance to and hear each weekend i had no idea at all whom Ofarim was when I was dancing to this song but was very moved by her voice. Now it's bitter sweet to hear it twenty years later and too be reminded of happier times. The Israeli Folk dance to this song is very flowing and graceful. A L S O the late singer Ofra Haza sings a beautiful cover of this song as well.

[@knavishlassie]

I used to dance to this song, as well. It's a lovely, lovely dance, and Ester's voice is a joy, as is the musical accompaniment.

[@user-lt3pi2rg3l]

קול מטריף! זמרת ענקית בצורה לא רגילה!!!! קול נפלא ומקסים!!!!זמרת על!!!!!!! קול נדיר ביופיו!!!!!

[@samuelralphallen7450]

Holy Smokes! This vocalist can really, really sing with such range. I think that I'm falling in love.

[@charleshow2052]

You're not the only one enamored with Esther's splendid voice

[@arielazrieli322]

אחח צמרמורות עוברות בי כשאני שומע את הקול הזה היום אין זמרים שיכולים לבצע שיר בצורה ווקלית כזו

[@gregorylaughlin2556]

Thanks for this; the greatest voice I have have ever heard.

[@indigoprojects]

There is something truly quite beautiful about this song

[@evareginalaurenttino1575]

Esther Ofarim é uma judia oriental. Amo a voz dela e a ousso desde a década de 1970 ❤

[@marcellomastroianni2530]

I like it from Turkey😊😊😊🕊🌈🌼

[@danan3476]

What a beautiful song

[@nava6704]

wow! amazing! cant stop crying from this amazing voice!!!!!!

[@user-rf2tv6fp6l]

מדהימה.קול ממש נהדר.זמרת נדירה אסתר

[@igalni1]

Thanks a lot for this wonderful version! By the way - Moshe Alimelech wrote the words to the traditional Ladino music.

[@cgdm87]

I just LOVE this song.. can't express it!

[@miligue18]

אסתר את מדהימה. אני אוהבת לשיר ואת נותנת לי הרבה השראה! מכל מלמדיי השכלתי. תודה רבה!

[@katblackwell]

What a beautiful, timeless voice! So youthful, and so mature at the same time... Love from Hungary

[@ThomasMelberStgt]

Very nice and very special - GOOD work, Thank you for posting!

[@MsHelord]

First class! Excellent performance! Great voice, full of tender emotion! :))))

[@lilianerman7915]

Ochevet et há shir haze!!! Shalom mi Portugal

[@dirkkelle7799]

Great ! I had to start crying . Many emotions ' cause this beautiful voice !

[@thejupiter2574]

+Dirk Kelle me too Many memories dancing to this song. ALSO a beautiful cover of this song is sung by the late great singer Ofra Haza ( R I P ) beautiful haunting song very romantic folk dance to this as well.

[@jeanninesbeans]

Thank you for making this long version. I LOVE it. I love the short one too, but this one is doubly wonderful. Thanks!

[@hanstauscheck9691]

This is wonderful! Thank you so much for sharing. It is real feeling!

[@conmad24]

"The dark one" they call me, all the seafarers. If they call me once again I shall join them. "The dark one" he calls me, the prince. If he calls me once again, I shall follow him.

[@perconero]

קול הזמיר מכה שוב... קול נדיר ביופיו, מהפנט, מרגש, סוחף. מעריץ נלהב.

[@user-ef3ct2me5w]

אחד הקולות הנדירים .

[@user-dl1lp8oh3l]

איזה שיר אדיר , ואסתר עופרים זמרת גדולה ,,

[@randallcollins2617]

Sounds like an angel !

[@michaelmoses9623]

קול של פעמונים. נפלא !

[@MEDSEC20]

What a wonderful, rich voice, coming out of such a tiny lady. Have loved her since she was on UK t.v. Where is she these days?

[@piroschka6]

In Hamburg in Germany and sometimes very rarely she gives concerts still as far as I know

[@marbelandra]

So lovely... so beautiful...

[@davidlerman8636]

נהדרת כמו תמיד

[@heidibentley5270]

She's so beautiful

[@stevenjfrazelle6145]

Dhibbanour our friend, thanks for posting. Weeping about Ofra, of course.... Ofra was proud of her dark skin (Yemeni, doncha know) and her musical prowess. Great rendition and magnificent Lady Esther Ofarim with this compelling version of a melodically sonorous and moving song. One has not 2 B Jewish nor a mother,2 B a Jewish mother. Yeah, team!

[@lilianerman7915]

Iafe meod!!!! Beautifull song!!!

[@julioleite6771]

Simplesmente maravilhosa !!!

[@UrbachMikael]

lyrics: --- Shecharchoret yikre'uni tzach haya ori umilahat shemesh kayitz va'ani shechori Chorus: Shecharchoret yafyafit kol kach be'einayich esh bo'eret libi kulo shelach Shecharchoret yikre'uni kol yordei hayam im od pa'am yikre'uni shuv elech itam Shecharchoret yikre'eni ben le'av molech im od pa'am yikre'uni acharav elech translation: --- The dark girl, they call me my skin was pure white from the fire of the summer sun I am dark Chorus: Dark girl so very beautiful in your eyes - a burning fire my heart is all yours The dark girl, they call me all those who go down to the sea if again they call me I will go with them again The dark girl, they call me son to the ruling king if he calls me again I will follow him ---

[@unavitadellamusica]

Thank you so much for writing the text plus translation down here! I like to sing along, but don't always the whole text by heart. Although there's one small writing error - probably a typo - in the line before the last one of the Hebrew text: instead of "yikre'uni" it's again "yikre'eni". Maybe you would like to correct it? Thanks again!

[@unavitadellamusica]

Sorry, now I made a typo: I meant "yikre'uni" is supposed to be "yikre'eni"

[@annkoll5787]

Can you please give me a translation in english. I have not found any on youtube. I really feel this song, but i do not know the words.

[@annkoll5787]

Thank you so much!

[@unavitadellamusica]

did you see the translation, that Urbach Mikael wrote, right under the Hebrew transliterated words?

[@isramsl]

זמרת ישראלית ענקית למרות שאינה חייה בארץ. קולה מזכיר את השירים של פעם. כיף להאזין לאסתר עופרים

[@maritaschmidt7663]

Engelsgleich. Großartig

[@blandinemonfrays6109]

un regal ! merci

[@user-xp3lj6jf8v]

איזה זמרת מושלמת איזה איכותית שיר מקסים שכייף להאזין כל תקופה ודור

[@OrlyYahalom]

Thank you for uploading this marvel. Schecharchoret (שחרחורת) does mean dark skinned, darked haired and darked eyed. (This is the female form, the male form is שחרחר.) It comes from black שחור, and in a certain way it means "blackish". To erase any doubts, this term has no negative connotations. The origin of the song is actually in Ladino, and it's called Morenica or Morenika. I don't know the Hebrew lyrics: שחרחורת יקראוני צח היה עורי ומלהט שמש קיץ בא לי שחורי שחרחורת יפיפית כל כך בעינייך אש בוערת ליבי כולו שלך שחרחורת יקראוני כל יורדי הים אם עוד פעם יקראוני שוב אלך איתם שחרחורת יקראני בן לאב מוֹלך אם עוד פעם יקראני אחריו אלך Quick translation (not poetic as the original): They call me Morenica My skin was fair and from the summer sun's heat my blackness came. Morenica, so beautiful A fire is burning in your eyes, my heart is all yours. All the sailors call me Morenica If they call me again, I shall go with them A son of a reigning father calls me Morenica If he calls me again, I shall go with him

[@user-rt3fb3ox5w]

As I've remembered from Ladino variant Morenica me te llaman (I am called Morenica) Mas blanca naci (While I was born white) The tune and rythm is adsolutely identical for both variants

[@hl-nz3go]

magnificent

[@Dhibannour]

Thanx a lot, dear Conmad24!

[@bernardcharton8257]

Magnifique voix

[@user-sd4pd2hu5v]

הביצוע של אסתר עופרים כל כך מרגש! הכי יפה שיש.

[@shimonbotbol1006]

קולה אלוהי ביצוע מהמם אין עוד קול כזה

[@elainekeierleber8922]

I have always loved Ester singing alone or with Abe for along time ❤

[@scented-leafpelargonium3366]

Wonderful! Metzuyan! 🤍

[@MrGabisho]

לשמוע את שחרחורת של אסתר ממלא אותי התרגשות על סף דמעות. השיר ומילותיו הגביהו מעוף לשחקים בזכות ביצוע מושלם וקול חם מלווה ברגש . אסתפק בזה למרות שיש לי עוד הרבה מילות הלל.

[@user-zf9nc2sg1b]

זה כינור ששר.פשוט ככה.אין לי כנראה מספיק מילים להגדיר אחרת את הקול הזה.לזמרת הזאת אין מתרי קול.יש לה כינור במקום מתרי קול.וזהו.

[@aliasesableable]

אני חושב שעופרה חזה שרה את זה יפה יותר מה דעתך ?

[@user-zu7bz2uz6z]

ללא ספק ! הוצאת לי את המילים מהפה !!! היא שרה מקנה הנשימה ! נדירה ! אדירה !

[@michaelbenezri4538]

היא כבר מזמן נרשמה בקלאסיקה של ארץ ישראל היפה והטובה. ירושלים 23.03.2024 חג פורים .❤

[@arielblau5279]

This is a hebrew version of a well-known Ladino song called "Morenika"

[@shimonb]

אלוהים נגע בה וכל מילה מיותרת

[@user-rl4ub2gf9z]

זמרת על ,ארץ ישראל הישנה והטובה,ביצוע מושלם ..

[@mikeknose7966]

BEAUTY FROM TEL AVIV

[@herzlkadesh4875]

אסתר עופרים היא, לדעתי, הזמרת הישראלית הטובה ביותר בכל הזמנים.

[@Dhibannour]

Hi, MEDSEC20 ! Yes, she (Esther Ofarim) was, and is still, wonderful. As far as I know, she is living a quiet life in Hamburg/Germany; time after time, she still gives concerts. Please refer to conmad24 who can much more exactly answer you. Kind regards!

[@eurech]

This is so beautiful. I prefer Ofra's version because her voice is more intense & richer. But both women are amazing.

[@aliasesableable]

me too ofcurse

[@hanni6225]

Herzlichen DANK 🌹🌿🌹

[@fernandoesquivek3787]

K voz tan hermosa k me trasporta al cielo nose nunka fui de los 60ts pero me gusta

[@lyricrogersofficial]

Getting this CD for Christmas! #SoExcited

[@elainekeierleber8922]

Beautiful voice❤

[@lj036226]

For eternity ...

[@jenisvalgomesdeoliveira8615]

Bela Esther. Ofarim

[@user-ol3on4dz9h]

קול של מלאך אחת הזמרות הטובות

[@waltraudklingberg3439]

Besser als der höchste Himmel. Shalom und Gottes Segen. 🤗

[@TheMisslouise79]

RIP Christine avec tout mon Coeur

[@conmad24]

The Hebrew lyrics are by Moshe Giora / Moshe Elimelech.

[@user-ny2jb7je7t]

עוד לא קמה בישראל זמרת ברמה שלה חולה על הקול שלה.

[@aliasesableable]

עופרה חזה

[@shimonb]

שירת פעמונים שירת מלאכים כל כך טהורה צלולה שבא לבכות. אלוהים לא נגע בה אלוהים גר בה

[@aliasesableable]

עופרה שרה את זה לא פחות יפה

[@Dhibannour]

Toda rabá!

[@user-qt7ek4qh6z]

שיר שמחזיר לי זכרונות יפים קול ענוג מיוחד במינו מזכיר את היופי של גיל הנעורים והתמימות

[@Sybilleaurelie]

Esther Offarim chante depuis très longtemps. Dans son répertoire, je préfère les chants en hébreu, "classiques", indémodables. Elle a très bien interprété aussi "Il était un Prince en Avignon" (Gérard Philippe). J'appréciais quand elle chantait avec Abi, son mari.

[@MrNatuur]

תודה אסתר עופרים.

[@jacobjacob6570]

נסיכה בשירה ישראלית מופלאה.

[@iloveRainbow100]

מדהימה

[@RoderRock]

Rare. Thanks!

[@eradta8593]

Masterpiece. in memory of the 7.10 horror victims 💔

[@carstenhohmann2955]

Ja, welch großartige Stimmen: ESTHER mit diesem insgesamt großen, breiten Repertoire + ALEXANDRA "Illusionen" in ihrem leider, leider viel zu kurzem Leben • konnten einen früh prägen = für immer: "Morning of my Life" - "Der Traum vom Fliegen"

[@nataliatzen]

Well, the lyrics are beautiful. "Schecharchoret" is also sung as "Morenica" in the Ladino (Judeo-spanish) language. The meaning of the lyrics is pretty much the same.

[@shanaw5390]

Morenika (or ca or any way you like to write the K sound) as the Turkish Sefaradim would spell it (ataboy, Ataturk!) IS THE ORIGINAL. The Hebrew is a translation of one of the popular versions of this folk song. There are several melodies for the Djudeo-Spanish (aka Ladino) LYRICS, sung by the sephardim whose ancestors were expelled from 1492 era Spain, and, happily, welcomed into the large Ottoman Empire (capital, Istanbul) by the ruler Suleiman, who was way smarter than those proto-fascists Ferdinand & Isabella who destroyed the rich culture of the "Golden Age". By contrast, Suleiman welcomed a population of educated Jews and Muslims to settle into lands from Morocco to the Arabic-speaking lands and north to Turkey and the Balkans. BACK TO THE SONG: so a sefardi community lived on the island of Rhodes; another the great metropolis of Salonica (saloniki, Salonique, etc); many in the capital Istanbul, others on the Turkish coastal city of Izmir, etc. They were far distant and had no recording equipment. Itinerant musicians learned from each other across all ethnic groups, geographic origins, etc. When someone learned the song Morenika from folks hanging out in their plazas in Rhodes, he tried to remember it as he traveled to the mainland, to Istanbul and someone else also learned it who returned home to Salonika, etc. By this means a folk song spreads and is changed along the way. The essential story of a beautiful Morena (dark colored eyes/hair/tan skin--can be any of those) who hung out on the docks waiting for something interesting to change her life....dreams of sailors calling her (in the versions I know, Los Marineros); then ups her game to imagine 'el hijo del Rey' the son of the King calling her and taking her away on his plendid vessel, away from the boredom....JUST read ALL the entries in WIkipedia for Esther Ofarim and Abi Ofarim, separately to learn about THEIR origins and careers. Her family from Syria, his from Germany, both born/raised in Safed, Gallilee, mandatory Palestine between end of WWII and the 1948 war. Keep listening, enjoying, searching and researching to learn about the one world that is possible when people are willing to learn languages and histories and music styles from each other. One answer leads to more questions and I, for one, enjoy the search and will sing (yes, I do sing in many languages) better because of all this. In memory of my father, with whom I sang since early childhood. A loving man, both learned and wise, and always affectionate and proud of my brother and me. Rav Abraham N. Winokur 1915 - 1996, he lives in us for eternity.

[@belleepoque2544]

@@shanaw5390 Thanks!

[@belleepoque2544]

@@shanaw5390 That's amazing

[@KatySei]

ביצוע מושלם.

[@UrbachMikael]

sheharhoret : dark skin ... girl refers to the Queen of Saba ... who felt in love with King Salomon... it is litteral hebrew compared to talken hebrew ... both Esther Offareom as late Ofrah Hazah sing this song with Soul and deep voice like rare singer can do .... Marvellous...

[@queeneggplant]

It's a Ladino song about Jewish beauty

[@TheWinnergroup]

Sheharhoret it is dark haired woman, not dark skined. The origin of this song is from ladino.

[@olterigo]

@@TheWinnergroup Dark skinned. "Dark one" they call me, but I was born white-skinned... Cf. "...I am black, because the sun hath looked upon me..." (Song of Songs) I don't think the Song of Songs' female voice is the Queen of Sheba given the whole story line, however, the allusion of the Sephardic song is clearly to the Song of Songs...

[@TheWinnergroup]

@@olterigo nicely answered, but as a Hebrew speaker, the song is about dark haired women. Shahor in Hebrew is black. There for sheharhoret ... ok? :)

[@carolmikofsky4976]

@@queeneggplant = Morenita or MORENICA

[@josipbezjak5451]

ljepa melodia ... good ..Israel

[@yuvalmeshulam1279]

שיר יפה

[@marioriospinot]

Nice.

[@user-ef3ct2me5w]

קול מן השמים .

[@kb6kgx]

Yes, the title of the song translates directly as "Dark-Skinned Girl"

[@yair1956]

The Nightingale

[@user-wk7kz2ct5b]

זמרת בעלת קול מקסים

[@Dhibannour]

To=@ Sababa20 & Nataliatzen: Thankyou! Yes, you are right; the song is (only) about the skin-tan and not about the soul-mood. Here is the “original” Spanish text version: “ Morénica (Shekharkhoret) ” [canción de los judeo-españoles (sefardim)] « Morénica a mí me llaman, mas blanca nací. Del sol del verano me hice así. »

[@e4glewyng5]

♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥

[@user-wn8wo7hk8z]

קול שאם יש מוסיקה בגן עדן ככה הוא נשמע

[@conmad24]

"The dark one" they call me, but my skin was white. Only from the fire of summer sun came my dark complexion. O dark one, you are indeed beautiful. In your eyes a fire burns. My heart is all yours.

[@TheMisslouise79]

conmad24 merci !

[@jenisvalgomesdeoliveira8615]

A juventude e a virtude E a avultada alegria dos jovens Ele ou ela acumula confiança para os dias aprasados por vir idade madura equilíbrio rrrrrrr😂❤🎉