Mallorca

"The island’s inhabitants are very fond of poetry. That explains why, over the centuries, there have been a large number of popular compositions, some even dramatic and, at any rate, numerous songs which today represent the precious heritage of people in the fields, immerse in conversation, especially young farm girls. They tend to be creations by glossadors (“improvisers”) and abound today amongst farm hands, even the commonest. The verses are recited with a certain melodious tune, often incorrect in the strictest sense, but just as you would expect from people which more often than not don’t know how to even read or write. This does not mean that they lack poetic sensitivity, frequently surprising you with the beauty of the images described and the intensity of the feelings with which they offer them. The language used is always Mallorcan, just as its spoken popularly and how it was spoken in the period that gave rise to the composition described.

The oldest known glossador is Dionisio Silvestre from the 16th century who belonged to an association called "Germanía" and was related to another similar one in Valencia. As a poet, Silvestre must have undergone enormous hardship. It is said that, given his frequent declaration in favor of revolutionaries, he was often persecuted."

Archduke Ludwig Salvator of Austria. Las Baleares por la palabra y el grabado. Majorca: General Part. Ed. Sa Nostra, Caja de Baleares. Palma de Mallorca. 1982.