Ukrainian Folk Music / Українська Народна Музика
It seems to me that Ukrainian folk music, like every kind of folklore, has produced a pure miracle. For what truly binds us to the Ukrainians is not so much their history, their hectic past, their dissensions, their penchant for politics, but the poetical expression of their joys and sorrows — their history translated into poetry and passionate music.
Folk music is a genre of traditional songs passed down through generations with commonalities such as origin, language, culture, history, religion, traditions, or customs. Folk songs often lack a single author and feature traditional instruments. The lyrics and melodies tend to have regional
Traditional instruments featured in Ukrainian folk music include the trembita, sopilka, bandura, tsymbaly, domra, and kobza. These instruments have also been incorporated into genres like rock-folk, indie-folk, pop-folk, rock, ethnic-electronic, and pop-electronic. Discover more about new Ukrainian ethnic music bands that may surprise you.
What makes Ukrainian Folk Singing Unique?
White Voice (білий голос)
One of the most striking characteristics of Ukrainian folk music is its use of "white voice (білий голос)," which is also called open voice or full voice. White voice is produced in the chest with an open throat and features a bright, loud, and clear sound (Tassie). The technique has been practiced since ancient times, and musicologists suggest it originated in the Carpathian Mountains (Tassie). The technique of white voice singing attracted wide international attention when Go-a, a Ukrainian electro-folk band, performed the song SHUM at the Eurovision 2021.
Polyphony (Багатоголосся)
Polyphony is a musical technique in which two pitches are sung simultaneously. There are different types of polyphony. The first, heterophony (Гетерофонія) is when one melody (with some deviations) is sung with several voices. The second, homophony (Гомофонія) is the accompaniment of a main voice by subordinate/supporting voices. Heterophony is characteristic of folk music in both northern and southern Ukraine. Northern Ukrainian polyphony in particular features dissonant chords and intervals. Polyphony (Поліфонія) is either the combination of independent melodies, or a single melody sung by multiple voices at different times (Centres of Polyphony: Ukraine).
Ukrainian folk music often features three and four-part harmonies.
Other Vocal Techniques
According to Larysa Baranova's “The Folk Singing Style in the Institution of Primary Artistic Education," other vocal techniques seen in Ukrainian folk music include the following:
Registered singing: chest resonance, which is the most noticeable feature of Ukrainian folk singing. Women’s voices also sometimes switch to an airy and lighter tone resembling falsetto, it may sound similarly to an overtone or an exclamation.
Yotization the addition of the “й” sound (which sounds similar to boy, toy, or day) during singing. It emerged due to the dialectal diversity of the Ukrainian language, helping to create a bright and distinct sound.
Musical ornaments: the vocalization of individual syllables and melismas (singing a syllabus with multiple notes).
Folk Song Themes and Types
Ukrainian folk music conveys a range of topics and deeply rooted traditions, intertwining with Ukrainian history, folk wisdom, morals, beliefs, and customs shared by individuals and communities.
Early folklorists divided Ukrainian folk songs into two categories: ritual performed in the specific context of a rite or ritual action) and non-ritual (Iryna Batyrieva, "Folk Songs in Rural Ukraine"). Ritual songs could be connected to the calendar year and specific rites/holidays, connected to family events such as births/baptisms, engagement/weddings/marriage, and death/funerals.
Most folk songs fall into the "non-ritual" category, and they are mainly for communication, entertainment, and expression (Batyrieva). Non-ritual folk songs are diverse, encompassing various musical genres, such as playful and romantic songs, lullabies, historical songs, patriotic and partisan ballads, and lively dance melodies.
Non-ritual songs are commonly divided into the following categories: epic, lyrical, and religious (psalms) (Batyrieva). Epics, which included historical songs, dumy, ballads, and song-chronicles, "carry historical folk knowledge and played the role of 'oral literature' that included historical, domestic, and criminal narratives" (Batyrieva).
Learn more about the different categories of traditional folk longs below.
Categories of Folk Songs
Calendar-ritual, also known as calendar-ceremonial songs, are performed at specific times of year. Many of these calendar songs are considered ritual songs, taking roots in ancient pagan traditions. Calendar-ritual songs are performed once a year or over a series of days at a certain time of year (Batyrieva). This genre blends ancient paganism, elements of Slavic folklore, and Christian influences. Ukrainian folklore distinguishes ritual songs by seasonal cycles, such as winter, spring, summer, and autumn. The themes are centered around seasonal changes and agrarian cycles, praising nature, and holiday celebrations.
The winter cycle includes Shchedrivky (Щедрівки) and Koliadky (Колядки). Shchedrivky are Old New Year carols performed on Malanka. Christmas carols are Koliadky, and Yuletide caroling is called Koliaduvannia (Колядування).
The spring cycle includes Vesnianky (Веснянки) and Haivky (Гаївки). Vesnianky are the songs that welcome and celebrate the fertility and prosperity that come with the arrival of spring. Haivky are sung during Easter and accompanied by dances.
The summer cycle includes Kupalski (Купальські) songs. Kupalski pisni celebrate Ivana Kupala (Midsummer festival), accompanied by dances and rituals like jumping over the fire, weaving wreaths, and bathing in lakes or rivers.
The autumn cycle includes Harvest (Жниварські) and Mowing (Косарські) songs. Harvest (zhnyvarski) songs are performed in late summer-early fall, with people celebrating the end of the laborious season and expressing their gratitude for a fruitful harvest of crops. Mowing (kosarski) songs are sung during haymaking and grain harvesting to praise the hard and skillful work of mowers and their teamwork.
Songs connected to family events such as births/baptisms, engagement/weddings/marriage, and death/funerals. Baptismal songs are known as khrestylni.
The largest group of family-ritual songs are wedding songs. Typically, these are sung by groups of women from both the bride's and groom's families. As Batyrieva notes, "From the moment of engagement to the end of the wedding, each ritual stage was reflected in song. The songs are short in duration and similar in melody and comment on or correct each ritual stage of the wedding" (Batyrieva).
There are different categories of songs for death and funerals. Lamentations, holosinnia, are sung at funerals. There are other songs that elderly people and the departed person's close family and friends sing about waiting for death.
Family-domestic songs are about the day-to-day lives of regular people. It is the most popular genre of Ukrainian folk songs that depicts family relationships, social dynamics, traditions, and people's daily lives. This genre is characterized by lyricism and emotional language and are rich in expressive literary devices such as symbolism, metaphors, and epithets. Subgenres include:
- Love songs explore themes of romance, heartbreak, and relationships.
- Family life songs reflect the joys and challenges of marital and family dynamics.
- Tragic family songs address loss, such as widowhood or orphanhood.
- Humorous songs approach everyday situations, family life, or romantic situations with satire and playful humor.
Social-domestic songs intertwine with political, cultural, historical, social, and economic circumstances. The songs often reflect hardships, national oppression, and slavery under feudal and imperial rule — the experience of common people at that time. Songs reflect the experiences of different social groups, commonly including the following subgenres:
- Cossack and Haidamaky songs about the historical times of Haidamaky (insurgents) and Cossack fighters resisting oppression and striving for national liberation.
- Recruit and soldier songs are about the hardships of military life and separation from home loved ones.
- Chumak songs are about the lives of traders (chumaks) who traveled long distances, risking their lives and facing dangers on their journeys.
- Serfdom songs depict the suffering of peasants under feudal oppression.
- Burlak songs are about peasants who became transient farmhands (wanderers) after fleeing exploitation under feudalism.
- Hired laborer and migrant worker songs are about the hardships faced by those working far from home
Psalms (Псальми) are folk songs of religious content and lyrical style but performed by two or three singers without the accompaniment of musical instruments. Although psalms are similar to church songs, they are unrelated to Biblical Psalms. The content of psalm songs is a folk interpretation of faith and religious teachings. Psalms incorporate everyday language and experiences. The themes focus on Biblical events, religious motifs (Christian faith, sin, and salvation), moral and ethical reflections, and philosophical contemplations on life.
Dumy are a special type of historical song that were exclusively sung by wandering blind singers and musicians who played the kobza, lyram, or bandura. Kobza players were called kobzari, lyra players were called lyrnyki, and bandura players were called bandurysty (Batyrieva).
Essentially, dumy are storytelling songs and narrative poems sung in a distinctive recitative style about historical events related to Cossacks. The genre’s name comes from the Ukrainian verb думати (dumaty), which means to think. Dumy reflect on Cossack lives. For example, many dumy depict the suffering of Cossacks captives in Turkish lands. Their escape home is also praised.
Epic historical songs preserve historical memory and serve as a musical chronicle. The songs include partisan and rebel genres dedicated to specific events or people. The songs were often composed or sung by insurgents and partisans who fought for Ukraine’s independence and freedom. Partisan and rebel songs remain popular in Ukraine, often uniting society in times of turmoil.
Other historical songs focus on more local events, sometimes called "people's newspapers," tell the stories of local affairs, crimes, and events. This genre is called kolomyiky in Western Ukraine (Batyrieva). Batyrieva notes that the genre is somewhat new, taking shape in the 19th and 20th centuries. These songs, unlike older folk songs, have specific authors.
We also suggest you check out Folk Songs of Ukraine, a digital archive of Ukrainian folk songs compiled by Marichka Marczyk, ethnomusicologist, and singer with Balaklava Blues and Lemon Bucket Orkestra. The project explores the diversity of regional music in Ukraine, providing insights into the cultural heritage preserved through music and offering an interactive and creative interface that allows users to search music by genre and region.
This page offers a selection of folk songs including Ukrainian lyrics, English translations, and transliteration. The songs are organized chronologically and were chosen based on their popularity and place in Ukrainian culture.
Ой на горі два дубки (Oh, on the Hill, Two Oaks)
The music for the modern arrangement was composed by Volodymyr Konoshchenko (Anipchenko). The original author of the lyrics and the date of this folk song are unknown.
Memorable lyrics and repetitive melodies make this folk song catchy and a favorite of many. The song's name and lyrics, "Two Oaks," is an allegory for a romantically interested couple— a young boy and a girl. The lyrics convey the couple and the playfully unfolding dialogue between them as they introduce each other and begin flirting.
The song is also playful, humorous, and charming, which are common features of many Ukrainian folk songs. This playful and cheerful song is usually played at celebrations and weddings, performed in a lively, rhythmic style, accompanied by dances.
Lyrics
Ой, на горі два дубки
Ой, на го́рі два дубки́,
Ой, на го́рі два дубки́,
Ой, на го́рі два дубки́, два дубки́
Схилили́ся до купки́.
Вíтер ду́ба хита́є,
Вíтер ду́ба хита́є,
Вíтер ду́ба хита́є, хита́є
Коза́к дíвку пита́є:
Ой, дівчи́но, чия́ ти?
Ой, дівчи́но, чия́ ти?
Ой, дівчи́но, чия́ ти, чия́ ти,
Чи ви́йдеш ти гуля́ти?
Не пита́йся чия́ я,
Не пита́йся чия́ я,
Не пита́йся чия́ я, чия́ я,
Ви́йдеш ти, то ви́йду я!
А я в ба́тька оди́н син,
А я в ба́тька оди́н син,
А я в ба́тька оди́н син, оди́н син
Погуля́ти хоч би з ким.
А я до́нька ма́мчина,
А я до́нька ма́мчина,
А я до́нька ма́мчина, ма́мчина,
Цілува́тись навчена́.
Ой, на го́рі два дубки́,
Ой, на го́рі два дубки́,
Ой, на го́рі два дубки́, два дубки́
Стоя́ть я́к-то голубки́.
Lyrics provided by ukrainiancourse.com
Translation
Oh, on the hill there are two oaks
Oh, on the hill there are two oaks
Oh, on the hill there are two oaks
Oh, on the hill there are two oaks, two oaks
Gathered in a heap.
The wind is rocking an oak,
The wind is rocking an oak,
The wind is rocking an oak,
A Cossack is asking a girl:
O, girl, whose are you?
O, girl, whose are you?
O, girl, whose are you? whose are you?
Will you come for a walk?
Don’t ask me, whose I am
Don’t ask me, whose I am
Don’t ask me, whose I am, whose I am
If you go out, I come out too.
I am my father’s only son,
I am my father’s only son
I am my father’s only son, only son
To walk at least with someone.
I am my mother’s daughter,
I am my mother’s daughter,
I am my mother’s daughter, my mother’s daughter,
I am trained to kiss.
Oh, on the hill there are two oaks
Oh, on the hill there are two oaks
Oh, on the hill there are two oaks, two oaks
They are standing like sweethearts.
Translation provided by ukrainiancourse.com
Transliteration
Oi, na hori dva dubky
Oi, na hóri dva dubký,
Oi, na hóri dva dubký,
Oi, na hóri dva dubký, dva dubký
Skhylylýsia do kupký.
Víter dúba khytáie,
Víter dúba khytáie,
Víter dúba khytáie, khytáie
Kozák dívku pytáie:
Oi, divchýno, chyiá ty?
Oi, divchýno, chyiá ty?
Oi, divchýno, chyiá ty, chyiá ty,
Chy výidesh ty huliáty?
Ne pytáisia chyiá ya,
Ne pytáisia chyiá ya,
Ne pytáisia chyiá ya, chyiá ya,
Výidesh ty, to výidu ya!
A ya v bátka odýn syn,
A ya v bátka odýn syn,
A ya v bátka odýn syn, odýn syn
Pohuliáty khoch by z kym.
A ya dónka mámchyna,
A ya dónka mámchyna,
A ya dónka mámchyna, mámchyna,
Tsiluvátys navchená.
Oi, na hóri dva dubký,
Oi, na hóri dva dubký,
Oi, na hóri dva dubký, dva dubký
Stoiát yák-to holubký.
Transliteration provided by ukrlit.org
Ой у вишневому саду (Oh, in the Cherry Orchard)
This folk song is regarded as folk creativity and is not associated with any author. It tells the unfortunate story of a young girl who meets her love interest in a cherry orchard but pleads with him to let her go home as her mother might be concerned. Later, the mother asks where her daughter has been and why her braid is undone when she returns home.
Braids have special meaning in Slavic folklore. A braid represents a woman's maidenhood, femininity, and beauty in Ukrainian culture. The braid is a symbol of virginity, while a neatly smooth head represents a girl's purity. According to Striuk and Yalovyi, “Folk belief holds that a girl who lost her honor before marriage had no right to wear a wedding wreath, which symbolized maiden purity and honor” (Striuk and Yalovyi, 17). Therefore, the song's reference to the undone braid alludes to significant or tragic changes in the girl's life. This song folk features symbolism and showcases how folk beliefs, social norms, ethics, or morals of old were passed down through generations.
The song is also known outside of Ukraine — Slovenian President Nataša Pirc Musar performed this folk song to show her support on the second anniversary of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine (Denysiaka).
Lyrics
Ой у вишневому саду
Ой у вишневому саду,
Там соловейко щебетав.
Додому я просилася,
А він мене все не пускав,
Додому я просилася,
А він мене все не пускав.
О, милий ти мій, а я ж твоя,
Дивись яка зійшла зоря,
Проснеться матінко моя,
Буде питать, де була я,
Проснеться матінко моя,
Буде питать, де була я.
Доню моя, не в тому річ,
Де ти гуляла цілу ніч,
Чому розплетена коса,
А на очах бринить сльоза?
Чому розплетена коса,
А на очах бринить сльоза?
Коса моя розплетена,
Її подруга розплела,
А на очах бринить сльоза,
Бо з милим розлучилась я
А на очах бринить сльоза,
Бо з милим розлучилась я.
Мамо моя, прийшла пора,
А я весела й молода,
Я жити хочу, я люблю,
Мамо не лай дочку свою,
Я жити хочу, я люблю,
Мамо не лай дочку свою.
Ой у вишневому саду,
Там соловейко щебетав,
Додому я просилася,
А він мене все не пускав.
Lyrics provided by Youtube
Translation
Oh, in the Cherry Orchard
Oh, in the cherry orchard,
A nightingale was singing there.
I begged to go home,
But he wouldn’t let me go,
I begged to go home,
But he wouldn’t let me go.
Oh, my dear one, and I am yours,
Look, what the star has risen,
My dear mother will wake up,
Will ask where I've been,
My dear mother will wake up,
Will ask where I've been.
My dear daughter, it's not the matter
Where you've been all night,
Why is your braid undone,
And a tear shimmers in your eyes?
Why is your braid undone,
And a tear shimmers in your eyes?
My dread is undone,
My friend undid it,
And a tear shimmers in my eyes,
For I parted with my beloved one,
And a tear shimmers in my eyes,
For I parted with my beloved one.
My dear mother, it's the time,
And I am cheerful and young,
I want you to live — I am in love,
My dear mother, don't scold your daughter,
I want you to live — I am in love,
My dear mother, don't scold your daughter.
Oh, in the cherry orchard,
A nightingale was singing there.
I begged to go home,
But he wouldn’t let me go.
Translation provided by Andrii Drobko
Transliteration
Oi u vyshnevomu sadu
Oi u vyshnevomu sadu,
Tam soloveiko shchebetav.
Dodomu ya prosylasia,
A vin mene vse ne puskav,
Dodomu ya prosylasia,
A vin mene vse ne puskav.
O, mylyi ty mii, a ya zh tvoia,
Dyvys yaka ziishla zoria,
Prosnetsia matinko moia,
Bude pytat, de bula ya,
Prosnetsia matinko moia,
Bude pytat, de bula ya.
Doniu moia, ne v tomu rich,
De ty huliala tsilu nich,
Chomu rozpletena kosa,
A na ochakh brynyt sloza?
Chomu rozpletena kosa,
A na ochakh brynyt sloza?
Kosa moia rozpletena,
Yii podruha rozplela,
A na ochakh brynyt sloza,
Bo z mylym rozluchylas ya
A na ochakh brynyt sloza,
Bo z mylym rozluchylas ya.
Mamo moia, pryishla pora,
A ya vesela y moloda,
Ya zhyty khochu, ya liubliu,
Mamo ne lai dochku svoiu,
Ya zhyty khochu, ya liubliu,
Mamo ne lai dochku svoiu.
Oi u vyshnevomu sadu,
Tam soloveiko shchebetav,
Dodomu ya prosylasia,
A vin mene vse ne puskav.
Transliteration provided by ukrlit.org
Несе Галя Воду (Halia is Carrying Water)
“Halia Is Carrying Water” is best known through the modern arrangement by the Marenychiv Trio. Its author and original date of publication are unknown.
The song is slow-paced and gentle. Although the melody is cheerful and lighthearted, it navigates the complex dynamics of human relationships. In this song, Halia carries water with a bending yoke and is followed by Ivanko, who is compared to a periwinkle flower. There is a miscommunication between them, and Ivanko feels disrespected. Halia promises to nurture the flower and respect Ivanko if he returns. Ivanko laments Halia for not nurturing the periwinkle nor respecting him despite his efforts, and the flower withers.
The folk song also uses figurative language and metaphors and reflects folk creativity. It is an example of Ukrainian folk lyrics that convey the everyday life, emotions, and relationships of people of that time.
Lyrics
Несе Галя воду
Несе Галя воду,
Коромисло гнеться,
За нею Іванко,
Як барвінок, в"ється.
Галю ж моя Галю,
Дай води напиться,
Ти така хороша –
Дай хоч подивиться!
Вода у криниці,
Піди тай напийся,
Як буду в садочку –
Прийди подивися
Прийшов у садочок,
Зозуля кувала,
А ти ж мене, Галю,
Та й не шанувала.
Стелися, барвінку,
Буду поливати,
Вернися, Іванку,
Буду шанувати.
Скільки не стелився,
Ти не поливала,
Скільки не вертався,
Ти не шанувала.
Несе Галя воду,
Коромисло гнеться,
За нею Іванко,
Як барвінок, в"ється.
Lyrics provided by lyricstranslate.com
Translation
Halia Is Carrying Water
Halia is carrying water,
The yoke is bending,
And Ivanko is following her,
Like a periwinkle twining.
Halia, my dear Halia,
Let me drink some water,
You’re so lovely—
Let me have a look at least.
The water’s in the well,
Go drinking there,
Once I’m in the garden,
Come and have a look.
Came to the garden,
The cuckoo was calling.
But you, dear Halia,
Didn’t respect me.
Lie down, periwinkle,
I’ll water you,
Come back, Ivanko,
I’ll respect you.
As many times as I've lain down,
You didn’t water me,
As many times as I've come back,
You didn’t respect me.
Translation provided by Andrii Drobko
Transliteration
Nese Halia vodu
Nese Halia vodu,
Koromyslo hnetsia,
Za neiu Ivanko,
Yak barvinok, v"ietsia.
Haliu zh moia Haliu,
Dai vody napytsia,
Ty taka khorosha –
Dai khoch podyvytsia!
Voda u krynytsi,
Pidy tai napyisia,
Yak budu v sadochku –
Pryidy podyvysia
Pryishov u sadochok,
Zozulia kuvala,
A ty zh mene, Haliu,
Ta y ne shanuvala.
Stelysia, barvinku,
Budu polyvaty,
Vernysia, Ivanku,
Budu shanuvaty.
Skilky ne stelyvsia,
Ty ne polyvala,
Skilky ne vertavsia,
Ty ne shanuvala.
Nese Halia vodu,
Koromyslo hnetsia,
Za neiu Ivanko,
Yak barvinok, v'ietsia.
Transliteration provided by ukrlit.org
Ой під вишнею, під черешнею (Oh, Under the Cherry Tree, Under the Sweet Cherry Tree)
“Oh, Under the Cherry Tree, Under the Sweet Cherry Tree” is a well-loved folk song and is associated with Ivan Kotliarevsky's authorship. However, there are two versions of the song's origin. According to the first version, the authorship belongs to Ivan Kotliarevsky, a poet and the founder of modern Ukrainian literature, known for his masterpieces such as Eneida and Natalka Poltavka. According to the second version, Ivan Kotliarevsky only incorporated the existing folk song into his Natalka Poltavka play, while the lyrics are folk creativity (Repetun).
The song is part of Natalka Poltavka's opera and brings out the issue of arranged and unequal marriages when the narrator's mother forces her daughter to marry a much older man for prestige and money. However, she resists as her heart belongs to someone else.
Lyrics
Ой під вишнею, під черешнею
Ой під вишнею,
Під черешнею
Стояв старий з молодою,
Як із ягодою.
І просилася,
І молилася:
– Пусти мене, старий діду,
На вулицю погулять!
– Ой і сам не піду,
І тебе не пущу,
Бо ти мене, старенького,
Покинути хочеш.
Куплю тобі хатку,
Іще сіножатку,
І ставок, і млинок,
І вишневенький садок!
– Ой не хочу хатки,
І ні сіножатки,
Ні ставка, ні млинка,
Ні вишневого садка!
Ой ти, старий дідуга,
Ізогнувся, як дуга,
А я молоденька,
Гуляти раденька!
Ой ізгиньте, пропадіте,
Всі старії кості,
Не сушіте, не крушіте
Мої молодості!
Ти в запічку: кахи-кахи,
Я з молодим: хихи-хихи.
Ой ти все спиш, а я плачу,
Тільки літа марно трачу!
Lyrics provided by mala.storinka.org
Translation
Oh, Under the Cherry Tree, Under the Sweet Cherry Tree
Oh, under the cherry,
Under the sweet cherry,
An old man stood with a young girl,
Like with a berry.
And she begged,
And she pleaded:
"Let me go, old man,
Out into the street for a walk!"
"Oh, I won’t go on my own,
And I won’t let you go,
Because you want to leave me,
An old man, alone."
"I’ll buy you a house,
And a meadow, too,
A pond, a mill,
And a little cherry garden!"
"Oh, I don’t want a house,
Nor a meadow,
Nor a pond, nor a mill,
Not even a little cherry garden!"
"Oh, you old grandpa,
Bent like a bow,
And I am a young one,
Wishing to stroll!"
"Oh, vanish, get gone,
You all-old-bones,
Don’t dry, don’t crush
My youthfulness!"
You're coughing in the corner,
I am laughing with the young one,
Oh, you're still sleeping, and I'm crying,
Only spending my years in vain.
Translation provided by Andrii Drobko
Transliteration
Oi pid vyshneiu, pid chereshneiu
Oi pid vyshneiu,
Pid chereshneiu
Stoiav staryi z molodoiu,
Yak iz yahodoiu.
I prosylasia,
I molylasia:
– Pusty mene, staryi didu,
Na vulytsiu pohuliat!
– Oi i sam ne pidu,
I tebe ne pushchu,
Bo ty mene, starenkoho,
Pokynuty khochesh.
Kupliu tobi khatku,
Ishche sinozhatku,
I stavok, i mlynok,
I vyshnevenkyi sadok!
– Oi ne khochu khatky,
I ni sinozhatky,
Ni stavka, ni mlynka,
Ni vyshnevoho sadka!
Oi ty, staryi diduha,
Izohnuvsia, yak duha,
A ya molodenka,
Huliaty radenka!
Oi izghynte, propadite,
Vsi starii kosti,
Ne sushite, ne krushite
Moi molodosti!
Ty v zapichku: kakhy-kakhy,
Ya z molodym: khykhy-khykhy.
Oi ty vse spysh, a ya plachu,
Tilky lita marno trachu!
Transliteration provided by ukrlit.org
Ніч яка місячна (What a Moonlit Night)
This song captures “a moonlit, starry, bright night” as a girl calls her beloved to take a stroll with her. The original lyrics are from Mykhailo Starytsky's poem. Nikolai Lysenko included the poem while composing the opera based on N. Gogol’s short story "The Drowned Woman." The song was first published in the Odessa almanac “Nyva” in 1885. The modernized and most familiar version was composed by kobzars Andriy Voloshchenko and Vasyl Ovchynnikov (Pyrohov, 77-79).
Mykhailo Starytsky was on a folklore excursion in the Poltava region when he met a young woman in the early 1860s. Starytsky developed feelings for her and dedicated the lines "Oh, what a moonlit night, Lord, so clear” (Pyrohov, 77-79).
According to Pyrohov, the song is musically well-structured (Pyrohov, 79). The melodic phrasing aligns seamlessly with the phrasing of the literary text. The melody flows in a cascading manner, creating the impression of a wave-like movement. This smoothness is complemented by a simple harmony. (Pyrohov, 79).
The lyrics emphasize the importance of finding peace, inner harmony, and clarity in quiet moments while reuniting with loved ones. It conveys the idea that love and tranquility go hand in hand As a Ukrainian proverb says, "щастя любить тишу," which means "happiness loves silence." The song evokes feelings of nostalgia and longing for love found in the nature of the Ukrainian countryside.
Lyrics
Ніч яка місячна
Ніч яка місячна, зоряна, ясная!
Видно, хоч голки збирай.
Вийди, коханая, працею зморена,
Хоч на хвилиночку в гай.
Сядемо вкупочці ми під калиною –
І над панами я пан!
Глянь, моя рибонько, – срібною хвилею
Стелиться в полі туман.
Ти не лякайся, що ніженьки босії
Вмочиш в холодну росу:
Я ж тебе, вірною, аж до хатиноньки
Сам на руках однесу.
Ти не лякайся, що змерзнеш, лебідонько,
Тихо – ні вітру, ні хмар...
Я пригорну тебе до свого серденька,
А воно палке, мов жар.
Lyrics provided by http://library.dudaryk.ua
Translation
What a Moonlit Night
What a moonlit, starry, bright night,
Sightable, one could even gather needles,
Come out, my love, worn by the work,
Into the grove just for a minute.
We'll sit together here beneath kalyna* –
And I’m a lord above all the lords!
Look, my little fish, how a silver wave
Spreads mist across the field.
Don’t be afraid that your little bare feet
Will wet in a cold dew:
I’ll carry you, my faithful,
All the way to the little hut in my arms.
Don’t be afraid that you’ll get cold, my little swan,
It’s quiet – there's no wind, no clouds…
I’ll hold you close to my heart,
And it's fervent, just like heat.
*Kalyna means guelder rose in Ukrainian. It is also a national symbol of Ukraine.
Translation provided by Andrii Drobko
Transliteration
Nich yaka misiachna
Nich yaka misiachna, zoriana, yasnaia!
Vydno, khoch holky zbyrai.
Vyidy, kokhanaia, pratseiu zmorena,
Khoch na khvylynochku v hai.
Siademo vkupochtsi my pid kalynoiu –
I nad panamy ya pan!
Hlian, moia rybonko, – sribnoiu khvyleiu
Stelytsia v poli tuman.
Ty ne liakaisia, shcho nizhenky bosii
Vmochysh v kholodnu rosu:
Ya zh tebe, virnoiu, azh do khatynonky
Sam na rukakh odnesu.
Ty ne liakaisia, shcho zmerznesh, lebidonko,
Tykho – ni vitru, ni khmar...
Ya pryhornu tebe do svoho serdenka,
A vono palke, mov zhar.
Transliteration provided by ukrlit.org
Ти ж мене підманула (You Tricked Me)
“You Tricked Me” is a comedic song that centers around the themes of love, deception, and heartbreak — it tells the story about a suitor and his love interest, who continuously leads him on by inviting him on dates every day, from Monday through Sunday, but she never shows up. So, the suitor complains that she tricked him, let him down, drove him crazy, and took away his sanity.
This song is part of Ukrainian cultural heritage and is appreciated both in and outside Ukraine. Ukrainians love this song for its upbeat tune and funny lyrics, and they play it during various cultural events, celebrations, and even weddings.
Recently, a TikTok trend featuring the song 'You Tricked Me' went viral, with foreign users sharing videos of themselves dancing gopak, a traditional Ukrainian dance (Kulzhenko).
Lyrics
Ти ж мене підманула
Ти казала: в понеділок
Підем разом по барвінок.
Я прийшов, тебе нема,
Підманула-підвела.
Ти ж мене підманула,
Ти ж мене підвела,
Ти ж мене молодого
З ума-розуму звела.
Ти казала у вівторок
Поцілуєш разів сорок,
Я прийшов, тебе нема,
Підманула-підвела.
Ти ж мене підманула,
Ти ж мене підвела,
Ти ж мене молодого
З ума-розуму звела.
Ти казала у середу
Підем разом по череду,
Я прийшов, тебе нема,
Підманула-підвела.
Ти ж мене підманула,
Ти ж мене підвела,
Ти ж мене молодого
З ума-розуму звела.
Ти казала у четвер
Підем разом на концерт,
Я прийшов, тебе нема,
Підманула-підвела.
Ти ж мене підманула,
Ти ж мене підвела,
Ти ж мене молодого
З ума-розуму звела.
Ти казала у п’ятницю
Підем разом по суниці,
Я прийшов, тебе нема,
Підманула-підвела.
Ти ж мене підманула,
Ти ж мене підвела,
Ти ж мене молодого
З ума-розуму звела.
Ти казала у суботу
Підем разом на роботу,
Я прийшов, тебе нема,
Підманула-підвела.
Ти ж мене підманула,
Ти ж мене підвела,
Ти ж мене молодого
З ума-розуму звела.
Ти казала у неділю
Підем разом на весілля,
Я прийшов, тебе нема,
Підманула-підвела.
Ти ж мене підманула,
Ти ж мене підвела,
Ти ж мене молодого
З ума-розуму звела.
Я ж тебе пiдманула,
Я ж тебе пiдвела,
Я ж тебе, молодого,
З ума розума звела.
Lyrics provided by lyricstranslation.com
Translation
You tricked me
You said on Monday
We’d go together for periwinkles.
I came — you didn't show,
Tricked me, let me down.
You tricked me,
You let me down,
You drove me crazy,
You took away my sanity.
You said on Tuesday,
You’d kiss me forty times.
I came — you didn't show,
Tricked me, let me down.
You tricked me,
You let me down,
You drove me crazy,
You took away my sanity.
You said on Wednesday,
We’d go together for some hay.
I came — you didn't show,
Tricked me, let me down.
You tricked me,
You let me down,
You drove me crazy,
You took away my sanity.
You said on Thursday,
We’d go together to a concert.
I came — you didn't show,
Tricked me, let me down.
You tricked me,
You let me down,
You drove me crazy,
You took away my sanity.
You said on Friday,
We’d go together for some wheat.
I came — you didn't show,
Tricked me, let me down.
You tricked me,
You let me down,
You drove me crazy,
You took away my sanity.
You said on Saturday,
We’d go together to work.
I came — you didn't show,
Tricked me, let me down.
You tricked me,
You let me down,
You drove me crazy,
You took away my sanity.
You said on Sunday,
We’d go together to a wedding.
I came — you didn't show,
Tricked me, let me down.
You tricked me,
You let me down,
You drove me crazy,
You took away my sanity.
I tricked you,
I let you down,
I drove you crazy,
I took away your sanity.
Translation provided by Andrii Drobko
Transliteration
Ty zh mene pidmanula
Ty kazala: v ponedilok
Pidem razom po barvinok.
Ya pryishov, tebe nema,
Pidmanula-pidvela.
Ty zh mene pidmanula,
Ty zh mene pidvela,
Ty zh mene molodoho
Z uma-rozumu zvela.
Ty kazala u vivtorok
Potsiluiesh raziv sorok,
Ya pryishov, tebe nema,
Pidmanula-pidvela.
Ty zh mene pidmanula,
Ty zh mene pidvela,
Ty zh mene molodoho
Z uma-rozumu zvela.
Ty kazala u seredu
Pidem razom po cheredu,
Ya pryishov, tebe nema,
Pidmanula-pidvela.
Ty zh mene pidmanula,
Ty zh mene pidvela,
Ty zh mene molodoho
Z uma-rozumu zvela.
Ty kazala u chetver
Pidem razom na kontsert,
Ya pryishov, tebe nema,
Pidmanula-pidvela.
Ty zh mene pidmanula,
Ty zh mene pidvela,
Ty zh mene molodoho
Z uma-rozumu zvela.
Ty kazala u piatnytsiu
Pidem razom po sunytsi,
Ya pryishov, tebe nema,
Pidmanula-pidvela.
Ty zh mene pidmanula,
Ty zh mene pidvela,
Ty zh mene molodoho
Z uma-rozumu zvela.
Ty kazala u subotu
Pidem razom na robotu,
Ya pryishov, tebe nema,
Pidmanula-pidvela.
Ty zh mene pidmanula,
Ty zh mene pidvela,
Ty zh mene molodoho
Z uma-rozumu zvela.
Ty kazala u nediliu
Pidem razom na vesillia,
Ya pryishov, tebe nema,
Pidmanula-pidvela.
Ty zh mene pidmanula,
Ty zh mene pidvela,
Ty zh mene molodoho
Z uma-rozumu zvela.
Ya zh tebe pidmanula,
Ya zh tebe pidvela,
Ya zh tebe, molodoho,
Z uma rozuma zvela.
Transliteration provided by ukrlit.org
Ой у лузі червона калина (Oh, in the Meadow, the Red Viburnum)
“In the Meadow, the Red Viburnum” is a patriotic and spirit-lifting folk song associated with the Ukrainian independence movement and has become a symbol of Ukrainian resilience and resistance. The viburnum is traditionally associated with beauty, prosperity, and motherhood in Ukraine. This song originated in Cossack times (a historical period of Cossack statehood) and underwent changes over time.
This folk song has centuries of history and originated as a Cossack song around the 17th century. Volodymyr Antonovych and Mykhailo Drahomanov documented this song in 1875. The modern arrangement was composed and performed by Stepan Charnetsky in 1914. His arrangement became popular with the Sich Riflemen, a well-known Ukrainian military formation during WWI (Viatrovych).
The first recording was made by Ukrainian singer Mykhailo Zozuliak of New York's Metropolitan Opera in 1925. "The Red Viburnum" was recorded for the second time in the United States in an arrangement by Oleksandr Koshyts in 1944.
The song gained international attention and went viral after Andrii Khlyvnyuk, a Ukrainian musician and singer of BoomBox band, joined Kyiv's territorial defense, recorded a video of himself singing the song in uniform with a rifle, and published it online in the first days of the Russian full-scale invasion. The song quickly became a trend and was picked by foreign listeners — even bands like Pink Floyd and The Kiffness recorded their own versions.
Uniting and providing strength to Ukrainians, this patriotic folk song has become an unofficial anthem of Ukrainian resilience and resistance following the Russian full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022.
Lyrics
Ой у лузі червона калина
Ой у лузі червона калина похилилася,
Чогось наша славна Україна зажурилася.
А ми тую червону калину підіймемо,
А ми нашу славну Україну, гей-гей, розвеселимо!
А ми тую червону калину підіймемо,
А ми нашу славну Україну, гей-гей, розвеселимо!
Не хилися, червона калино, маєш білий цвіт.
Не журися, славна Україно, маєш вільний рід.
А ми тую червону калину підіймемо,
А ми нашу славну Україну, гей, гей, розвеселимо!
А ми тую червону калину підіймемо,
А ми нашу славну Україну, гей, гей, розвеселимо!
Маршерують наші добровольці у кривавий тан,
Визволяти братів-українців з ворожих кайдан.
А ми наших братів-українців визволимо,
А ми нашу славну Україну, гей-гей, розвеселимо!
А ми наших братів-українців визволимо,
А ми нашу славну Україну, гей-гей, розвеселимо!
Ой у полі ярої пшенички золотистий лан,
Розпочали стрільці українські з ворогами тан,
А ми тую ярую пшеничку зберемо,
А ми нашу славну Україну, гей-гей, розвеселимо!
А ми тую ярую пшеничку зберемо,
А ми нашу славну Україну, гей-гей, розвеселимо!
Як повіє буйнесенький вітер з широких степів,
То прославить по всій Україні січових стрільців.
А ми тую стрілецькую славу збережемо,
А ми нашу славну Україну, гей-гей, розвеселимо!
А ми тую стрілецькую славу збережемо,
А ми нашу славну Україну, гей-гей, розвеселимо!
Lyrics provided by lyricstranslate.com
Translation
Oh, in the Meadow a red kalyna has bent down low,
For some reason, our glorious Ukraine is in sorrow.
And we'll take that red kalyna and we will raise it up,
And we shall cheer up our glorious Ukraine, hey, hey!
And we'll take that red kalyna and we will raise it up,
And we shall cheer up our glorious Ukraine, hey, hey!
Do not bend low, oh red kalyna, you have a white flower,
Do not worry, glorious Ukraine, you have a free people.
And we'll take that red kalyna and will raise it up,
And we shall cheer up our glorious Ukraine, hey, hey!
And we'll take that red kalyna and we will raise it up,
And we shall cheer up our glorious Ukraine, hey, hey!
Marching forward, our fellow volunteers, into a bloody fray,
For to free our brother Ukrainians from the shackles of Moscow.
And we, our brother Ukrainians, we will then liberate,
And we shall cheer up our glorious Ukraine, hey, hey!
And we'll take that red kalyna and we will raise it up,
And we shall cheer up our glorious Ukraine, hey, hey!
Oh in the field of early spring wheat, there's a golden furrow,
Then began the Ukrainian riflemen to engage the enemy.
And we'll take that precious, early wheat and will gather it,
And we shall cheer up our glorious Ukraine, hey, hey!
And we'll take that red kalyna and we will raise it up,
And we shall cheer up our glorious Ukraine, hey, hey!
When the stormy winds blow forth from the wide steppes,
They will glorify, throughout Ukraine, the Sich riflemen.
And we'll take the glory of the riflemen preserving it,
And we shall cheer up our glorious Ukraine, hey, hey!
And we'll take that red kalyna and we will raise it up,
And we shall cheer up our glorious Ukraine, hey, hey!
Translation provided by lyricstranslate.com
Transliteration
Oi u luzi chervona kalyna
Oi u luzi chervona kalyna pokhylylasia,
Chohos nasha slavna Ukraina zazhurylasia.
A my tuiu chervonu kalynu pidiimemo,
A my nashu slavnu Ukrainu, hei-hei, rozveselymo!
A my tuiu chervonu kalynu pidiimemo,
A my nashu slavnu Ukrainu, hei-hei, rozveselymo!
Ne khylysia, chervona kalyno, maiesh bilyi tsvit.
Ne zhurysia, slavna Ukraino, maiesh vilnyi rid.
A my tuiu chervonu kalynu pidiimemo,
A my nashu slavnu Ukrainu, hei, hei, rozveselymo!
A my tuiu chervonu kalynu pidiimemo,
A my nashu slavnu Ukrainu, hei, hei, rozveselymo!
Marsheruiut nashi dobrovoltsi u kryvavyi tan,
Vyzvoliaty brativ-ukraintsiv z vorozhykh kaidan.
A my nashykh brativ-ukraintsiv vyzvolymo,
A my nashu slavnu Ukrainu, hei-hei, rozveselymo!
A my nashykh brativ-ukraintsiv vyzvolymo,
A my nashu slavnu Ukrainu, hei-hei, rozveselymo!
Oi u poli yaroi pshenychky zolotystyi lan,
Rozpochaly striltsi ukrainski z vorohamy tan,
A my tuiu yaruiu pshenychku zberemo,
A my nashu slavnu Ukrainu, hei-hei, rozveselymo!
A my tuiu yaruiu pshenychku zberemo,
A my nashu slavnu Ukrainu, hei-hei, rozveselymo!
Yak poviie buinesenkyi viter z shyrokykh stepiv,
To proslavyt po vsii Ukraini sichovykh striltsiv.
A my tuiu striletskuiu slavu zberezhemo,
A my nashu slavnu Ukrainu, hei-hei, rozveselymo!
A my tuiu striletskuiu slavu zberezhemo,
A my nashu slavnu Ukrainu, hei-hei, rozveselymo!
Transliteration provided by ukrlit.org
Щедрик (Ukrainian Carol of the Bells)
“Shchedryk” or “Carol of the Bells” is a well-known Ukrainian folk song that is associated with Christmas, but few people know its interesting history — originally, it had nothing to do with winter holidays or Christmas. Its origins are based in a Pagan ceremonial song, traditionally sung when the swallows returned home in March (people celebrated the New Year in March in ancient times). The Ukrainian lyrics also mention swallows (Minkina).
Ukrainian composer, conductor, teacher, and ethnomusicologist Mykola Leontovych composed the music and wrote the lyrics for the "Shchedryk" we know today based on this Pagan ceremonial song about the swallows (Kovalyshena). There were five editions of “Schedryk.” However, "only the fourth edition satisfied Leontovych to the extent that he allowed it to be performed. And for the first time, on December 25, it was performed at Kyiv University" in 1916. The first edition was written in 1901–1902 and the fifth in 1919. Tragically, the composer was assassinated for the popularization of the Ukrainian culture by a Cheka (Soviet secret police organization) agent in 1921 (Kovalyshena).
The word “Shchedryk” comes from the Ukrainian adjective “shchedryi,” which means generous, fruitful, and life-giving. "Shchedryk" gained international recognition when the Ukrainian National Chorus performed it at Carnegie Hall in New York City in 1922. Peter J. Wilhousky, an American of Ukrainian origin, attended the performance and was impressed by the song. He later wrote the English adaptation in 1936, which is how Ukrainian “Shchedryk” became “Carol of the Bells” (Kovalyshena).
Today, shchedrivky refers to a genre of koliadky (Колядки), or Yuletide carols. Shchedrivky are performed by children and young people, typically girls, on New Year’s Eve and Epiphany during Generous Evening (Shchedryi Vechir). The children, known as shchedrivnyky, go from house to house and ask the homeowners for permission to sing shchedrivky. The permission is a formality, and once allowed, the children would sing, wishing the hosts and their households peace, good health, prosperity, wealth, fertility, and abundance. In return, homeowners are expected to thank the children and give them a small tip.
Lyrics
Щедрик
Щедрик, щедрик, щедрівочка,
Прилетіла ластівочка,
Стала собі́ щебетати,
Господаря викликати
Вийди, вийди, господарю,
Подивися на кошару —
Там овечки покотились,
А ягнички народились.
В тебе товар весь хороший,
Будеш мати мірку грошей
Хоч не гроші, то полова,
В тебе жінка чорноброва́
Щедрик, щедрик, щедрівочка,
Прилетіла ластівочка,
Стала собі́ щебетати,
Господаря викликати
Вийди, вийди, господарю,
Подивися на кошару —
Там овечки покотились,
А ягнички народились.
В тебе товар весь хороший,
Будеш мати мірку грошей
Хоч не гроші, то полова,
В тебе жінка чорноброва́
Щедрик, щедрик, щедрівочка,
Прилетіла ластівочка!
Lyrics provided by pisni.ua
Translation
You tricked me
Shchedryk, shchedryk, shchedrivochka,
A little swallow has flown in,
She began to chirp,
To call the master
Come out, come out, master,
Look at the sheepfold
There are sheep lying down,
And the lambs are born.
You've got all the good stuff,
You'll have plenty of money
If not money, then chaff,
Your wife is black-browed
Shchedryk, shchedryk, shchedrivochka,
A little swallow has flown in,
A little swallow has flown in and began to chirp,
To call the master
Come out, come out, master,
Look at the sheepfold
There are sheep lying down,
And the lambs are born.
You've got all the good stuff,
You'll have plenty of money
If not money, then chaff,
Your wife is black-browed
Shchedryk, shchedryk, shchedrivochka,
A swallow has flown in!
Translated provided by DeepL.com
Transliteration
Ukrainian Carol of the Bells
Shchedryk, shchedryk, shchedrivochka,
Pryletila lastivochka,
Stala sobí shchebetaty,
Hospodaria vyklykaty
Vyidy, vyidy, hospodariu,
Podyvysia na kosharu —
Tam ovechky pokotylys,
A yahnychky narodylys.
V tebe tovar ves khoroshyi,
Budesh maty mirku hroshei
Khoch ne hroshi, to polova,
V tebe zhinka chornobrová
Shchedryk, shchedryk, shchedrivochka,
Pryletila lastivochka,
Stala sobí shchebetaty,
Hospodaria vyklykaty
Vyidy, vyidy, hospodariu,
Podyvysia na kosharu —
Tam ovechky pokotylys,
A yahnychky narodylys.
V tebe tovar ves khoroshyi,
Budesh maty mirku hroshei
Khoch ne hroshi, to polova,
V tebe zhinka chornobrová
Shchedryk, shchedryk, shchedrivochka,
Pryletila lastivochka!
Transliteration provided by ukrlit.org
Там на горі, на Маківці (There on the Hill, on Makivka)
Though the author of the song is unknown, some believe it was written by the soldiers of the Ukrainian Sich Riflemen and dedicated to their heroic battle on Makivka Mountain. The lyrics narrate the story of the Sich Riflemen soldiers defending Ukraine and their courageous spirits during the battle, where they fought as part of the Austro-Hungarian army against the Russian Empire during World War I in 1915.
Many Ukrainian folk songs include the motifs of patriotism, unity, national pride, resilience, and freedom. The folk song concludes with hope and resilience: “Ще не вмерла,” which translates to “has not yet died.” This phrase references the national anthem of Ukraine, which begins with the line “Ukraine's glory has not yet died, nor her...” freedom.” This particular folk song is associated with the national movement and the struggle for Ukraine's independence.
Lyrics
Там на горі, на Маківці,
Там на горі, на Маківці,
Там ся били січовії стрільці.
Хлопці, підемо, боротися будемо
За Україну, за вільнії права й державу.
Хлопці, підемо, боротися будемо
За Україну, за вільнії права.
Наші хлопці добре б’ються,
Йдуть до бою, ще й сміються.
Хлопці, підемо, боротися будемо
За Україну, за вільнії права й державу.
Хлопці, підемо, боротися будемо
За Україну, за вільнії права.
Наша сотня вже готова,
Від’їжджає до Кийова.
Хлопці, підемо, боротися будемо
За Україну, за вільнії права й державу.
Хлопці, підемо, боротися будемо
За Україну, за вільнії права.
Є в Києві злота брама,
На тій брамі синьо-жовта фана.
Хлопці, підемо, боротися будемо
За Україну, за вільнії права й державу.
Хлопці, підемо, боротися будемо
За Україну, за вільнії права.
Є у Львові усусуси –
Україна бути мусить.
Хлопці, підемо, боротися будемо
За Україну, за вільнії права й державу.
Хлопці, підемо, боротися будемо
За Україну, за вільнії права.
А ми хлопці, як ті перла,
Заспіваєм: "Ще не вмерла..."
Хлопці, підемо, боротися будемо
За Україну, за вільнії права й державу.
Хлопці, підемо, боротися будемо
За Україну, за вільнії права.
Lyrics provided by library.dudaryk.ua
Translation
There on the Hill, on Makivka
There, on the hill, on Makivka,
There, the Sich Riflemen fought.
Boys, let's go, let's fight,
For Ukraine, for free rights and the state.
Boys, let's go, let's fight,
For Ukraine, for free rights.
Our boys fight well,
They go into battle, and still laugh.
Boys, let's go, let's fight,
For Ukraine, for free rights and the state.
Boys, let's go, let's fight,
For Ukraine, for free rights.
Our regiment is ready,
They are leaving for Kyiv.
Boys, let's go, let's fight,
For Ukraine, for free rights and the state.
Boys, let's go, let's fight,
For Ukraine, for free rights.
There is a golden gate in Kyiv,
On that gate, the blue and yellow flag.
Boys, let's go, let's fight,
For Ukraine, for free rights and the state.
Boys, let's go, let's fight,
For Ukraine, for free rights.
There are Sich Riflemen in Lviv,
Ukraine must exist.
Boys, let's go, let's fight,
For Ukraine, for free rights and the state.
Boys, let's go, let's fight,
For Ukraine, for free rights.
And we, boys, like pearls,
We'll sing: "has not yet died...*"
Boys, let's go, let's fight,
For Ukraine, for free rights and the state.
Boys, let's go, let's fight,
For Ukraine, for free rights.
*"has not yet died..." is a reference to the hymn of Ukraine, which starts with the line "Ukraine's glory has not yet died, nor her freedom."
Translation provided by Andrii Drobko
Transliteration
Tam na hori, na Makivtsi,
Tam na hori, na Makivtsi,
Tam sia byly sichovii striltsi.
Khloptsi, pidemo, borotysia budemo
Za Ukrainu, za vilnii prava y derzhavu.
Khloptsi, pidemo, borotysia budemo
Za Ukrainu, za vilnii prava.
Nashi khloptsi dobre biutsia,
Ydut do boiu, shche y smiiutsia.
Khloptsi, pidemo, borotysia budemo
Za Ukrainu, za vilnii prava y derzhavu.
Khloptsi, pidemo, borotysia budemo
Za Ukrainu, za vilnii prava.
Nasha sotnia vzhe hotova,
Vidizhdzhaie do Kyiova.
Khloptsi, pidemo, borotysia budemo
Za Ukrainu, za vilnii prava y derzhavu.
Khloptsi, pidemo, borotysia budemo
Za Ukrainu, za vilnii prava.
Ye v Kyievi zlota brama,
Na tii brami syno-zhovta fana.
Khloptsi, pidemo, borotysia budemo
Za Ukrainu, za vilnii prava y derzhavu.
Khloptsi, pidemo, borotysia budemo
Za Ukrainu, za vilnii prava.
Ye u Lvovi usususy –
Ukraina buty musyt.
Khloptsi, pidemo, borotysia budemo
Za Ukrainu, za vilnii prava y derzhavu.
Khloptsi, pidemo, borotysia budemo
Za Ukrainu, za vilnii prava.
A my khloptsi, yak ti perla,
Zaspivaiem: "Shche ne vmerla..."
Khloptsi, pidemo, borotysia budemo
Za Ukrainu, za vilnii prava y derzhavu.
Khloptsi, pidemo, borotysia budemo
Za Ukrainu, za vilnii prava.
Transliteration provided by ukrlit.org
Пливе кача по Тисині (A Duckling Floats Down the Tysa)
Transcarpathian poet Vasyl Hrenzha-Donskyi composed the lyrics to this song in his Flowers with Thorns collection in 1923. It's a Ukrainian song of Lemko origin — an ethnic subgroup of Ukrainians from the Carpathian Mountains, known for their distinct dialect, culture, and traditions (Sokil, 817).
Vasyl Hrenzha-Donskyi's was drafted into the army in 1915 during WWI, but he was wounded and sent to Budapest, where he completed trade school. He then returned to Zakarpattia and began his literary activity. His name is associated with the development of modern Ukrainian literature and the national revival in Zakarpattia (Sokil, 817).
The lyrics address the draftee's mother in wartime, “Oh, my dear mother, don't scold me,” who doesn't want to accept her son leaving for war and knowing she may never see him again. However, the son accepts his fate by saying, “I don't even know where I'll perish.”
This song has become the requiem song for the Heavenly Hundred, a group of protestors who sacrificed their lives fighting for freedom, democracy, and human rights during the Revolution of Dignity in Ukraine in 2013 and 2014. Ukrainians feel raw emotions and fall into tears hearing this song, associating it with the memories of Euromaidan, sacrifice, heroism, and collective grief. Many Ukrainians can resonate with the lyrics, drawing parallels to the events of the Revolution.
This folk song is usually performed at funerals. In the context of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, this song reflects the wartime reality of parents saying goodbye to their children, who leave for war and may never return.
Lyrics
Гей, пливе кача по Тисині
Гей, пливе кача по Тисині,
Пливе кача по Тисині.
Мамко ж моя, не лай мені,
Мамко ж моя, не лай мені.
Гей, залаєш ми в злу годину,
Залаєш ми в злу годину.
Сам не знаю де погину,
Сам не знаю де погину.
Гей, погину я в чужім краю,
Погину я в чужім краю.
Хто ж ми буде брати яму?
Хто ж ми буде брати яму?
Гей, виберут ми чужі люди,
Виберут ми чужі люди.
Ци не жаль ти, мамко, буде?
Ци не жаль ти, мамко, буде?
Гей, якби ж мені, синку, не жаль?
Якби ж мені, синку, не жаль?
Ти ж на моїм серцю лежав,
Ти ж на моїм серцю лежав.
Гей, пливе кача по Тисині,
Пливе кача в по Тисині.
Lyrics provided by pisni.ua
Translation
A Duck Is Floating on the Tysa*
Hey, a duck is floating on the Tysa,
A duck is floating on the Tysa.
Oh, my dear mother, don’t scold me,
Oh, my dear mother, don’t scold me.
Hey, you’ll scold me in an unfortunate hour,
You’ll scold me in an unfortunate hour.
I don’t even know where I'll perish,
I don’t even know where I'll perish.
Hey, I’ll perish in a foreign land,
I’ll perish in a foreign land.
Who'll dig my grave?
Who'll dig my grave?
Hey, strangers will lay me to rest,
Strangers will lay me to rest.
Won’t you feel sorrow, mother?
Won’t you feel sorrow, mother?
Hey, how could I not sorrow, my son?
How could I not sorrow, my son?
You once lay upon my heart,
You once lay upon my heart.
Hey, a duck is floating on the Tysa,
A duck is floating on the Tysa.
*Tysa is a river in Central Europe that flows across Europe, particularly Hungary, Romania, and Ukraine.
Translation provided by Andrii Drobko
Transliteration
Hei, plyve kacha po Tysyni
Hei, plyve kacha po Tysyni,
Plyve kacha po Tysyni.
Mamko zh moia, ne lai meni,
Mamko zh moia, ne lai meni.
Hei, zalaiesh my v zlu hodynu,
Zalaiesh my v zlu hodynu.
Sam ne znaiu de pohynu,
Sam ne znaiu de pohynu.
Hei, pohynu ya v chuzhim kraiu,
Pohynu ya v chuzhim kraiu.
Khto zh my bude braty yamu?
Khto zh my bude braty yamu?
Hei, vyberut my chuzhi liudy,
Vyberut my chuzhi liudy.
Tsy ne zhal ty, mamko, bude?
Tsy ne zhal ty, mamko, bude?
Hei, yakby zh meni, synku, ne zhal?
Yakby zh meni, synku, ne zhal?
Ty zh na moim sertsiu lezhav,
Ty zh na moim sertsiu lezhav.
Hei, plyve kacha po Tysyni,
Plyve kacha v po Tysyni.
Transliteration provided by ukrlit.org
Горіла сосна палала (The Pine Tree Was Burning)
One version of this song was included in the collection Lemko Folk Songs, published in the United States under the title “Horila Sosna, Horila,” or “The Pine Tree Was Burning” in English. Later, the song was published in the Ukrainian Lemko and other folk song collections in the 1950s, as well as included in the ten-volume compilation of Ukrainian folk songs, which was collected and edited by Zinoviy Lysko in the late 1960s (Repetun).
The word сосна (sosna) is a feminine noun in Ukrainian and means pine three in English. In the song, the pine tree represents a girl and her youth and maidenhood; burning is the process of transition into married life that comes with new responsibilities and maturity.
The lyrics “Oh, my braids, you've served me long,” and “You won't serve anymore” symbolize the end of her maidenhood. "Under the white veil, under the headscarf" references walking down the aisle and marriage.
In Ukrainian wedding tradition, the bride dances with her parents and family members at the end of the wedding to this song. The final dance is an emotional, touching, and bittersweet moment as the bride departs girlhood and starts a new chapter in her adult life (Vogue Ukraine).
Lyrics
Горіла сосна, палала
Горіла сосна, палала, горіла сосна, палала
Під нев дівчина стояла, під нев дівчина стояла
Горіла сосна, палала
Під нев дівчина стояла, під нев дівчина стояла
Під нев дівчина стояла, під нев дівчина стояла
Русую косу чесала, русую косу чесала
Під нев дівчина стояла
Русую косу чесала, русую косу чесала
Ой, коси, коси, ви мої, ой, коси, коси, ви мої
Довго служили ви мені, довго служили ви мені
Ой, коси, коси, ви мої
Довго служили ви мені, довго служили ви мені
Більше служить не будете, більше служить не будете
Під білий вельон підете, під білий вельон підете
Більше служить не будете
Під білий вельон підете, під білий вельон підете
Під білий вельон, під хустку, під білий вельон, під хустку
Більш не підеш ти за дружку, більш не підеш ти за дружку
Під білий вельон, під хустку
Більш не підеш ти за дружку, більш не підеш ти за дружку
Під білий вельон, з кінцями, під білий вельон, з кінцями
Більш не підеш ти з хлопцями, більш не підеш ти з хлопцями
Під білий вельон, з кінцями
Більш не підеш ти з хлопцями, більш не підеш ти з хлопцями
Під білий вельон, під вінець, під білий вельон, під вінець
Більш не підеш ти у танець, більш не підеш ти у танець
Під білий вельон, під вінець
Більш не підеш ти у танець, більш не підеш ти у танець
Горіла сосна, смерека, горіла сосна, смерека
Сподобав хлопець здалека, сподобав хлопець здалека
Горіла сосна, смерека
Сподобав хлопець здалека, сподобав хлопець здалека
Translation provided by pisni.ua
Translation
The Pine Was Burning, It Was Flaming
The pine was burning, it was flaming,
The girl was standing under it, the girl was standing under it.
The pine was burning, it was flaming,
The girl was standing under it, the girl was standing under it.
The girl was standing under it, the girl was standing under it,
Combing her fair braid, combing her fair braid.
The girl was standing under it,
Combing her fair braid, combing her fair braid.
Oh, my braids, my braids, oh, my braids, my braids,
You've served me long, you've served me long.
Oh, my braids, my braids,
You've served me long, you've served me long.
You won't serve anymore, you won't serve anymore,
You'll go under the white veil, you'll go under the white veil.
You won't serve anymore,
You'll go under the white veil, you'll go under the white veil.
Under the white veil, under the headscarf, under the white veil, under the headscarf,
You won't be a bridesmaid anymore, you won't be a bridesmaid anymore,
Under the white veil, under the scarf,
You won't be a bridesmaid anymore, you won't be a bridesmaid anymore,
Under the white veil, with the ends; under the white veil, with the ends,
You won't go with the boys anymore,
Under the white veil, with the ends,
You won't go with the boys anymore.
Under the white veil, under the crown,
You won't go to dance anymore,
Under the white veil, under the crown,
You won't go to dance anymore.
The pine and spruce were burning, the pine and spruce were burning,
A boy liked her from afar; a boy liked her from afar.
The pine and spruce were burning, the pine and spruce were burning,
A boy liked from afar; a boy liked from afar.
Translation provided by Andrii Drobko
Transliteration
Horila sosna, palala
Horila sosna, palala, horila sosna, palala
Pid nev divchyna stoiala, pid nev divchyna stoiala
Horila sosna, palala
Pid nev divchyna stoiala, pid nev divchyna stoiala
Pid nev divchyna stoiala, pid nev divchyna stoiala
Rusuiu kosu chesala, rusuiu kosu chesala
Pid nev divchyna stoiala
Rusuiu kosu chesala, rusuiu kosu chesala
Oi, kosy, kosy, vy moi, oi, kosy, kosy, vy moi
Dovho sluzhyly vy meni, dovho sluzhyly vy meni
Oi, kosy, kosy, vy moi
Dovho sluzhyly vy meni, dovho sluzhyly vy meni
Bilshe sluzhyt ne budete, bilshe sluzhyt ne budete
Pid bilyi velon pidete, pid bilyi velon pidete
Bilshe sluzhyt ne budete
Pid bilyi velon pidete, pid bilyi velon pidete
Pid bilyi velon, pid khustku, pid bilyi velon, pid khustku
Bilsh ne pidesh ty za druzhku, bilsh ne pidesh ty za druzhku
Pid bilyi velon, pid khustku
Bilsh ne pidesh ty za druzhku, bilsh ne pidesh ty za druzhku
Pid bilyi velon, z kintsiamy, pid bilyi velon, z kintsiamy
Bilsh ne pidesh ty z khloptsiamy, bilsh ne pidesh ty z khloptsiamy
Pid bilyi velon, z kintsiamy
Bilsh ne pidesh ty z khloptsiamy, bilsh ne pidesh ty z khloptsiamy
Pid bilyi velon, pid vinets, pid bilyi velon, pid vinets
Bilsh ne pidesh ty u tanets, bilsh ne pidesh ty u tanets
Pid bilyi velon, pid vinets
Bilsh ne pidesh ty u tanets, bilsh ne pidesh ty u tanets
Horila sosna, smereka, horila sosna, smereka
Spodobav khlopets zdaleka, spodobav khlopets zdaleka
Horila sosna, smereka
Spodobav khlopets zdaleka, spodobav khlopets zdaleka
Transliteration provided by ukrlit.org
Лента За Лентою (Belt after Belt)
There is no information on the date when it was written. Most likely, this folk song was written during or shortly after World War II.
The lyrics represent the courage and resilience of the Ukrainian partisans. It tells the story of the fierce battle that occurred between the UPA (Ukrainian Insurgent Army) and NKVD (Soviet secret police agency, a forerunner of the KGB).
Sorokalita's and Zastavny's regiments fought a battle against an NKVD detachment in 1944. Twenty partisans, aiming to prevent the encirclement of UPA soldiers, launched an unexpected evening attack on a Chekist unit of over 100 men, causing panic and the abandonment of positions. Smerka, a skilled machine gunner, played a key role, firing at NKVD soldiers while maneuvering strategically. According to Sorokalita, Smerka’s bravery inspired the poem, which was later set to music by Zastavny to boost the spirit of the demoralized soldiers (Skurativska and Babchuk).
Lyrics
Лента за лентою
Вже вечір вечоріє, повстанське серце б'є
А лента набої поспішно подає
Ах, лента за лентою – набої подавай
Вкраїнський повстанче в бою не відступай
Ах, лента за лентою – набої подавай
Вкраїнський повстанче в бою не відступай
А ворог атакує і преться щосил
Юнак-кулеметник їх вправно косив
Ах, лента за лентою – набої подавай
Вкраїнський повстанче в бою не відступай
Ах, лента за лентою – набої подавай
Вкраїнський повстанче в бою не відступай
Як сонце сходило, втомлений юнак
Упав він ранений, упав він навзнак
Ах, лента за лентою – набої подавай
Вкраїнський повстанче в бою не відступай
Ах, лента за лентою – набої подавай
Вкраїнський повстанче в бою не відступай
До нього санітарка поспішно іде
В обличчя вдивляєсь, його пізнає
Ах, лента за лентою – набої подавай
Вкраїнський повстанче в бою не відступай
Ах, лента за лентою – набої подавай
Вкраїнський повстанче в бою не відступай
Він в неї вдивляєсь, пече в грудях рана
Біля кулемета дівчина молода
Ах, лента за лентою – набої подавай
Вкраїнський повстанче в бою не відступай
Ах, лента за лентою – набої подавай
Вкраїнський повстанче в бою не відступай
А ворог атакує, в останній момент
Наново заграв вже затихлий кулемет
Ах, лента за лентою – набої подавай
Вкраїнський повстанче в бою не відступай
Ах, лента за лентою – набої подавай
Вкраїнський повстанче в бою не відступай
Ах, лента за лентою – набої подавай
Вкраїнський повстанче в бою не відступай
Ах, лента за лентою – набої подавай
Вкраїнський повстанче в бою не відступай
Lyrics provided by musixmatch.com
Translation
Belt After Belt
The evening is already getting darker, insurgent's heart is beating
And the belt quickly hands in the ammo,
Ah, belt after belt – hand in the ammo,
Ukrainian insurgent, do not retreat in battle.
Ah, belt after belt – hand in the ammo,
Ukrainian insurgent, do not retreat in battle.
And the enemy is attacking and pushing with all their might,
The young boy-machine gunner has been skilfully mowing them down.
Ah, belt after belt – hand in the ammo,
Ukrainian insurgent, do not retreat in battle.
Ah, belt after belt – hand in the ammo,
Ukrainian insurgent, do not retreat in battle.
As the sun has been rising, the tired boy,
Fell wounded, he fell supinely.
Ah, belt after belt – hand in the ammo,
Ukrainian insurgent, do not retreat in battle.
Ah, belt after belt – hand in the ammo,
Ukrainian insurgent, do not retreat in battle.
The nurse rushes to him,
Looking at his face, she recognizes him.
Ah, belt after belt – hand in the ammo,
Ukrainian insurgent, do not retreat in battle.
Ah, belt after belt – hand in the ammo,
Ukrainian insurgent, do not retreat in battle.
He's looking at her, the wound burns in his chest,
The young girl is by the machine gun.
Ah, belt after belt – hand in the ammo,
Ukrainian insurgent, do not retreat in battle.
Ah, belt after belt – hand in the ammo,
Ukrainian insurgent, do not retreat in battle.
And the enemy is attacking, at the last moment,
The silented machine gun is firing again.
Ah, belt after belt – hand in the ammo,
Ukrainian insurgent, do not retreat in battle.
Ah, belt after belt – hand in the ammo,
Ukrainian insurgent, do not retreat in battle.
Ah, belt after belt – hand in the ammo,
Ukrainian insurgent, do not retreat in battle.
Ah, belt after belt – hand in the ammo,
Ukrainian insurgent, do not retreat in battle.
Translation provided by Andrii Drobko
Transliteration
Lenta za lentoyu
Vzhe vechir vechoriie, povstanske sertse bie
A lenta naboi pospishno podaie
Akh, lenta za lentoiu – naboi podavai
Vkrainskyi povstanche v boiu ne vidstupai
Akh, lenta za lentoiu – naboi podavai
Vkrainskyi povstanche v boiu ne vidstupai
A voroh atakuie i pretsia shchosyl
Yunak-kulemetnyk yikh vpravno kosyv
Akh, lenta za lentoiu – naboi podavai
Vkrainskyi povstanche v boiu ne vidstupai
Akh, lenta za lentoiu – naboi podavai
Vkrainskyi povstanche v boiu ne vidstupai
Yak sontse skhodylo, vtomlenyi yunak
Upav vin ranenyi, upav vin navznak
Akh, lenta za lentoiu – naboi podavai
Vkrainskyi povstanche v boiu ne vidstupai
Akh, lenta za lentoiu – naboi podavai
Vkrainskyi povstanche v boiu ne vidstupai
Do noho sanitarka pospishno ide
V oblychchia vdyvliaies, yoho piznaie
Akh, lenta za lentoiu – naboi podavai
Vkrainskyi povstanche v boiu ne vidstupai
Akh, lenta za lentoiu – naboi podavai
Vkrainskyi povstanche v boiu ne vidstupai
Vin v nei vdyvliaies, peche v hrudiakh rana
Bilia kulemeta divchyna moloda
Akh, lenta za lentoiu – naboi podavai
Vkrainskyi povstanche v boiu ne vidstupai
Akh, lenta za lentoiu – naboi podavai
Vkrainskyi povstanche v boiu ne vidstupai
A voroh atakuie, v ostannii moment
Nanovo zahrav vzhe zatykhlyi kulemet
Akh, lenta za lentoiu – naboi podavai
Vkrainskyi povstanche v boiu ne vidstupai
Akh, lenta za lentoiu – naboi podavai
Vkrainskyi povstanche v boiu ne vidstupai
Akh, lenta za lentoiu – naboi podavai
Vkrainskyi povstanche v boiu ne vidstupai
Akh, lenta za lentoiu – naboi podavai
Vkrainskyi povstanche v boiu ne vidstupai
Transliteration provided by ukrlit.org
Червона Рута (Chervona Rutha)
This song about Chervona Rutha is a folk song composed by Volodymyr Ivasiyuk in 1968. It was inspired by Volodymyr Hnatiuk's Ukrainian kolomyiki (Vogue Ukraine) collection.
It is considered a masterpiece and became a massive domestic and international hit. The song was inspired by rich Ukrainian folklore, particularly the mythical flower of Chervona Rutha.
Chervona (Red) Rutha is a flower that blooms in the Carpathian Mountains. According to Ukrainian folklore, it's a magical flower that turns red only once a year. It grants supernatural and magical abilities to someone who finds it on the night of Ivana Kupala.
Hutsul villagers have a legend about this mysterious flower. The legend has it that if a girl finds and plucks its magical petals, she would be happy, bloom like a flower, and enchant her beloved with her beauty. Initially, V. Ivasiuk wrote a poem inspired by this folk legend. Later, he wrote an original and innovative melody. The work took him three years, from 1967 to 1970 (Shmalenko, 236).
The song also changed the perception of Ukrainian music in the Soviet Union, proving that Ukrainian music could be competitive and melodic. Vogue Ukraine mentions that the song won the title of “Song of the Year” at the Television Song Festival competition in Moscow in 1971 and became popular outside of Ukraine and the Soviet Union at that time.
Volodymyr Ivasiuk's creativity and patriotism left a significant impact on Ukraine's cultural heritage and musical legacy. Despite Ivasiuk's short-lived life and tragic death, his music continued to live and inspire generations to come.
Find out more about musician's cultural and political legacy.
He refused to cooperate with the Soviet authorities, in particular, refusing to sing in Russian and engage in Soviet Propaganda, simply stating, “Because I am a Ukrainian.” (Ukrainian World Congress).
Suspilne Media reached out to Halyna Ivasiuk, Volodymyr's sister, who explained his political position, “He was repeatedly asked why he only wrote in Ukrainian. He said, 'Because I am Ukrainian, and I want to.' I can't recall who made the remarks, but they were definitely made, especially during the final period of his creative work. They wanted something different from him, but he didn't want that” (Kotubey-Herutska).
Furthermore, Suspilne Media also exemplified a particular story of Ivasiuk's bold and clear political position, “Ivasiuk gained popularity in the United States, where his record was released. The musician received an unprecedented fee, along with a conversation with the KGB. Ivasiuk was strongly encouraged to donate the money to a so-called 'Peace Fund,' which was involved in 'spreading socialism.' The principled Ivasiuk replied that he would not fund 'terrorist organizations.' He only remained silent about the fact that he never saw the American fee himself, as it was simply impossible to receive it under the conditions of the 'Iron Curtain'“ (Kotubey-Herutska).
Unfortunately, Ivasiuk was found dead on May 18, 1979, on the outskirts of Lviv. The official Soviet investigation concluded the death by suicide. However, the musician's family disagreed with the official investigation's outcomes, and the death sparked controversy in Ukrainian society, questioning the transparency of the investigation conducted by the Soviet authorities for decades. A new official forensic examination was conducted by Ukrainian authorities in 2019, concluding that Ivasiuk could not have hanged himself and someone else was involved (Glavkom).
Lyrics
Червона Рута
Ти признайся мені,
Звідки в тебе ті чари,
Я без тебе всі дні
У полоні печалі.
Може, десь у лісах
Ти чар-зілля шукала,
Сонце-руту знайшла
І мене зчарувала?
Червону руту
Не шукай вечорами, –
Ти у мене єдина,
Тільки ти, повір.
Бо твоя врода –
То є чистая вода,
То є бистрая вода
З синіх гір.
Бачу я тебе в снах,
У дібровах зелених,
По забутих стежках
Ти приходиш до мене.
І не треба нести
Мені квітку надії,
Бо давно уже ти
Увійшла в мої мрії.
Червону руту
Не шукай вечорами, –
Ти у мене єдина,
Тільки ти, повір.
Бо твоя врода –
То є чистая вода,
То є бистрая вода
З синіх гір.
Lyrics provided by pisni.ua
Translation
Red Rue*
Confess to me,
Where did you get this magic?
All these days without you
I am a captive of sorrow.
Maybe somewhere in the woods
You've been looking for a magic potion,
You found sun-rue
And you've charmed me?
Red rue*
Don't look for it in the evenings,
You are my only one,
Only you, believe me.
Cuz your beauty
It's a clear water,
It's a swift water
From the blue mountains.
I see you in my dreams,
In green groves,
Along forgotten paths
You come to me.
You don't need to carry
A flower of hope to me,
Cuz long ago
You've entered my dreams.
Red rue
Don't look for it in the evenings,
You are my only one,
Only you, believe me.
Cuz your beauty
It's a clear water,
It's a swift water
From the blue mountains.
*The red rue (Ruta) is a flower that blooms in the Carpathian mountains. According to Ukrainian folklore, it's a magical flower that turns red only once a year. It grants supernatural and magical abilities to a person who finds it on the night of Ivana Kupala.
Translation provided by Andrii Drobko
Transliteration
Chervona Ruta
Ty pryznaisia meni,
Zvidky v tebe ti chary,
Ya bez tebe vsi dni
U poloni pechali.
Mozhe, des u lisakh
Ty char-zillia shukala,
Sontse-rutu znaishla
I mene zcharuvala?
Chervonu rutu
Ne shukai vechoramy, –
Ty u mene yedyna,
Tilky ty, povir.
Bo tvoia vroda –
To ye chystaia voda,
To ye bystraia voda
Z synikh hir.
Bachu ya tebe v snakh,
U dibrovakh zelenykh,
Po zabutykh stezhkakh
Ty prykhodysh do mene.
I ne treba nesty
Meni kvitku nadii,
Bo davno uzhe ty
Uviishla v moi mrii.
Chervonu rutu
Ne shukai vechoramy, –
Ty u mene yedyna,
Tilky ty, povir.
Bo tvoia vroda –
To ye chystaia voda,
To ye bystraia voda
Z synikh hir.
Transliteration provided by ukrlit.org
Дикі Гуси (Wild Geese)
This song is mainly known and recognized for Nina Matviienko's performance, a Ukrainian singer who is titled People's Artist of Ukraine and regarded as "the soul of Ukrainian music."
This lyrical, melancholic, and poetic song, combined with Nina Matviyenko's voice, is really moving. The lyrics explore love, longing, friendship, trust, betrayal, and caution.
This song achieved tremendous success in the Soviet Union and continues to be cherished in Ukraine. Lidia Vydash performed it, winning second place at the 5th All-Union Contest of Artists in 1974. This song brought success and recognition to Nina Matvienko, who became a finalist in the television song festival “Song of the Year” in 1979 (Saiko).
Lyrics
Ой, летiли дикi гуси
Ой, летіли дикі гуси,
Ой летіли у неділю дощову.
Впало пір'я на подвір'я,
Закотилось, як повір'я, у траву.
Ой, летіли дикі гуси,
Ой, летіли дикі гуси через ліс.
Не кажи своїй подрузі,
Хто тобі корали зоряні приніс?
Як постука нічка темна
У віконце знов,
Не питай мене даремно
Про мою любов.
Ой, летіли в день осінній
Дикі гуси до самотньої верби,
Там, де двоє, там - весілля,
А, де троє - перші ягоди журби.
Ой, летіли до світання
Дикі гуси через марево ночей,
Бережи своє кохання
Ти, дівчино, від корисливих очей.
Ой, летіли понад вечір
Дикі гуси через ліс і зелен гай,
Ти відкрий подрузі двері,
Але серце їй своє не відкривай.
Lyrics provided by pisni.org.ua
Translation
Oh, the Wild Geese Have Been Flying
Oh, the wild geese have been flying,
Oh, they have been flying on a rainy Sunday.
Fell out the feather in a yard,
Rolling like a rumor into the grass.
Oh, the wild geese have been flying,
Oh, the wild geese have been flying over the forest.
Don’t tell your girlfriend,
Who brought you the starry corals?
Once the dark night knocks
On the window again,
Don’t ask me in vain
About my love.
Oh, the wild geese have been flying
On an autumn day to the lonely willow,
Where there are two, there’s a wedding,
But where there are three, there are the first berries of sorrow.
Oh, the wild geese have been flying through the dawn
Through the darkness of the night,
Guard your love,
You, girl, from selfish eyes.
Oh, the wild geese have been flying through the evening,
Through the forest and green grove,
You open the door to your girlfriend,
But don’t open your heart to her.
Translation provided by Andrii Drobko
Transliteration
Oi, letily dyki husy
Oi, letily dyki husy,
Oi letily u nediliu doshchovu.
Vpalo piria na podviria,
Zakotylos, yak poviria, u travu.
Oi, letily dyki husy,
Oi, letily dyki husy cherez lis.
Ne kazhy svoii podruzi,
Khto tobi koraly zoriani prynis.
Yak postuka nichka temna
U vikontse znov,
Ne pytai mene daremno
Pro moiu liubov.
Oi, letily v den osinnii
Dyki husy do samotnoi verby,
Tam, de dvoie, tam - vesillia,
A, de troie - pershi yahody zhurby.
Oi, letily do svitannia
Dyki husy cherez marevo nochei,
Berezhy svoie kokhannia
Ty, divchyno, vid koryslyvykh ochei.
Oi, letily ponad vechir
Dyki husy cherez lis i zelen hai,
Ty vidkryi podruzi dveri,
Ale sertse yii svoie ne vidkryvai.
Transliteration provided by ukrlit.org
Ой, Марічко, чичері (Oh, Marichko, Chycheri)
This song is often played at holiday celebrations and festivities, especially weddings. It revolves around a couple who tease each other and find each other in funny situations. The man asks Marichka to comb his curls, leading to teasing and funny exchanges. The song is well-known by many Ukrainians, who appreciate it for its cheerful melody and hilarious lyrics, associating it with happy occasions and pleasant memories.
Lyrics
Ой, Марічко, чичері
Ой, Марічко, чичері, чичері, чичері
Розчеши ми кучері, кучері, кучері
Розчеши ми кучері, кучері, кучері
Я би тобі чесала, чесала, чесала
Якби мати не знала, не знала, не знала
Якби мати не знала, не знала, не знала
Мати буде дивитись, дивитись, дивитись
Як я буду ганьбитись, ганьбитись, ганьбитись
Як я буду ганьбитись, ганьбитись, ганьбитись
Ой, Марічко, люблю тя, люблю тя, люблю тя
Заріж мені когутя, когутя, когутя
Заріж мені когутя, когутя, когутя
Як когут запіє, запіє, запіє
Ставай рано Маріє, Маріє, Маріє
Ставай рано Маріє, Маріє, Маріє
Ой піду я на майдан, буряк сапати
Кому схоче тому й дам личко цілувати
Кому схоче тому й дам личко цілувати
Зібралися хлопці, затіяли драку
Я упала в бур'яни, поколола спину
Я упала в бур'яни, поколола спину
Причесався, прилизався, в нові штани вбрався
А як вийшов на подвір'я на порозі всівся
А як вийшов на подвір'я на порозі всівся
Котилась з гори торба, а тій торбі раки
А хто ж мене молодую, пригорне до серця
А хто ж мене молодую, пригорне до серця
Колисала мене мати, та й казала люлі
Як виростеш, моя доню, давай хлопцям дулі
Як виростеш, моя доню, давай хлопцям дулі
А у діда Василя, уся музика своя
Балалайка, мандоліна, сінтезатор поколiно
Балалайка, мандоліна, сінтезатор поколiно
А я дівка молода, звать мене Ганнуся
Покатайте в жигулях, я добре цілуюсь
Покатайте в жигулях, я добре цілуюсь
Ой на горі, на горі старий бик пасеться
Старий стару так цілує аж гора трясеться
Старий стару так цілує аж гора трясеться
Била мати Марічку арматурним гаком
Щоб Марічка не стояла на порозі боком
Щоб Марічка не стояла на порозі боком
Ой, Марічко, чичері, чичері, чичері
Розчеши ми кучері, кучері, кучері
Розчеши ми кучері, кучері, кучері
Lyrics provided by genius.com
Translation
Oh, Marychka, Chycheri*
Oh, Marychka, chycheri, chycheri, chycheri,
Comb my curls, my curls, my curls,
Comb my curls, my curls, my curls.
I'd comb you, comb you, comb you,
If only my mother didn’t know, didn’t know, didn’t know,
If only my mother didn’t know, didn’t know, didn’t know.
Mother will be watching, watching, watching,
As I'll myself embarrass, embarrass, embarrass,
As I'll myself embarrass, embarrass, embarrass,
Oh, Marychka, I love you, I love you, I love you,
Slaughter me a rooster, a rooster, a rooster,
Slaughter me a rooster, a rooster, a rooster.
As the rooster crows, crows, crows,
Get up early, Mariie, Mariie, Mariie,
Get up early, Mariie, Mariie, Mariie.
Oh, I’ll go to the field to hoe the beets,
Whoever I want, I’ll let them kiss my cheek,
Whoever I want, I’ll let them kiss my cheek.
The boys gathered, got into a fight,
I fell into the weeds, hurt my back,
I fell into the weeds, hurt my back.
I combed, smoothed the hair, dressed in new trousers,
And as I went out to the yard, sat on the doorstep,
And as I went out to the yard, sat on the doorstep.
A bag rolled down the hill, and crayfish in the bag,
But who will take me, young girl, and hold me to his heart,
But who will take me, young girl, and hold me to his heart?
My mother rocked me, and sang lullabies,
Once you grow up, my daughter, give the boys a zero,
Once you grow up, my daughter, give the boys a zero.
And Grandpa Vasyl has all his own music,
Balalaika, mandolin, synthesizer to the knee,
Balalaika, mandolin, synthesizer to the knee.
And I am a young girl, my name is Hanyusya,
Take me for a ride in a Zhiguli*, I kiss well,
Take me for a ride in a Zhiguli, I kiss well.
Oh, on the hill, on the hill, an old bull is grazing,
The grandpa kisses the grandma so much that the mountain shakes,
The grandpa kisses the grandma so much that the mountain shakes.
Mother beats Marychka with a metal hook,
So that Marychka wouldn’t stand sideways on the doorstep,
So that Marychka wouldn’t stand sideways on the doorstep.
Oh, Marychka, chycheri, chycheri, chycheri,
Comb my curls, my curls, my curls,
Comb my curls, my curls, my curls.
*Chycheri, in Ukrainian, means a sharp, rapid or cold wind — word is translatable as windy or stormy.
*Zhigul is a brand of passenger car produced in the Soviet Union.
Translation provided by Andrii Drobko
Transliteration
Oi, Marichko, chycheri
Oi, Marichko, chycheri, chycheri, chycheri
Rozcheshy my kucheri, kucheri, kucheri
Rozcheshy my kucheri, kucheri, kucheri
Ya by tobi chesala, chesala, chesala
Yakby maty ne znala, ne znala, ne znala
Yakby maty ne znala, ne znala, ne znala
Maty bude dyvytys, dyvytys, dyvytys
Yak ia budu hanbytys, hanbytys, hanbytys
Yak ya budu hanbytys, hanbytys, hanbytys
Oi, Marichko, liubliu tia, liubliu tia, liubliu tia
Zarizh meni kohutia, kohutia, kohutia
Zarizh meni kohutia, kohutia, kohutia
Yak kohut zapiie, zapiie, zapiie
Stavai rano Mariie, Mariie, Mariie
Stavai rano Mariie, Mariie, Mariie
Oi pidu ya na maidan, buriak sapaty
Komu skhoche tomu y dam lychko tsiluvaty
Komu skhoche tomu y dam lychko tsiluvaty
Zibralysia khloptsi, zatiialy draku
Ya upala v buriany, pokolola spynu
Ya upala v buriany, pokolola spynu
Prychesavsia, prylyzavsia, v novi shtany vbravsia
A yak vyishov na podviria na porozi vsivsia
A yak vyishov na podviria na porozi vsivsia
Kotylas z hory torba, a tii torbi raky
A khto zh mene moloduiu, pryhorne do sertsia
A khto zh mene moloduiu, pryhorne do sertsia
Kolysala mene maty, ta y kazala liuli
Yak vyrostesh, moia doniu, davai khloptsiam duli
Yak vyrostesh, moia doniu, davai khloptsiam duli
A u dida Vasylia, usia muzyka svoia
Balalaika, mandolina, sintezator pokolino
Balalaika, mandolina, sintezator pokolino
A ya divka moloda, zvat mene Hannusia
Pokataite v zhyhuliakh, ya dobre tsiluius
Pokataite v zhyhuliakh, ya dobre tsiluius
Oi na hori, na hori staryi byk pasetsia
Staryi staru tak tsiluie azh hora triasetsia
Staryi staru tak tsiluie azh hora triasetsia
Byla maty Marichku armaturnym hakom
Shchob Marichka ne stoiala na porozi bokom
Shchob Marichka ne stoiala na porozi bokom
Oi, Marichko, chycheri, chycheri, chycheri
Rozcheshy my kucheri, kucheri, kucheri
Rozcheshy my kucheri, kucheri, kucheri
Transliteration provided by ukrlit.org
Sources & Suggested Materials
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Saiko, Lesia. “Ніна Матвієнко: історія життя легендарної співачки.” [“Nina Matviyenko: The Life Story of a Legendary Singer”]. WoMo: The Magazine for Amazing Women, 10 Oct. 2024, womo.ua/nina-matviyenko-istoriya-zhittya-legendarnoyi-spivachki/.
Shmalenko, Olesya. “Пісня В. Івасюка Червона Рута: історія створення.” [“V. Ivasyuk’s Song Chervona Ruta: The History of Its Creation”]. Kultura i mystetstvo u suchasnomu sviti, vol. 16, 2015, pp. 235–239.
Skurativska, Yaryna, and Olha Babchuk. “Історія народної пісні українських повстанців ‘Лента за лентою.’” [“The History of the Folk Song of Ukrainian Insurgents ‘Belt after Belt’”]. Suspilne, 14 Oct. 2022, suspilne.media/culture/291650-istoria-narodnoi-pisni-ukrainskih-povstanciv-lenta-za-lentou/.
Sokil, Vasyl. “Про Пісню ‘Пливе Кача По Тисині’.” [“About the Song ‘Plyve Kacha po Tysyni’”]. Folk Studies Notebooks. Philological Series, no. 4, 2014, pp. 817–821.
Striuk, Larisa, and Fedir Yalovyi. “Народознавчі аспекти українських народних пісень про кохання, записаних на Дніпропетровщині.” [“Ethnological Aspects of Ukrainian Folk Songs About Love, Recorded in the Dnipropetrovsk Region”]. Kryvyi Rih, 1992, pp. 1–28. Google Scholar, http://elibrary.kdpu.edu.ua/xmlui/handle/123456789/8556.
Tassie, Gregor. “The Rich Traditions of Music in Ukraine.” Musical Opinion Quarterly, no. 1532, July 2022, pp. 5–10.
Trubnikova, Larisa. “Heterophonic Principle in Ukrainian Music.” Musical Art: Historical and Theoretical Discourse. Liha-Pres, 2020, pp. 122–139.
Ukrainian World Congress. “Volodymyr Ivasyuk’s 75th Birth Anniversary: Remembering the Voice of Ukrainian Identity.” Ukrainian World Congress, www.ukrainianworldcongress.org/volodymyr-ivasyuks-75th-birth-anniversary-remembering-the-voice-of-ukrainian-identity/.
Viatrovych, Volodymyr. “Історія пісні ‘Червона калина’ — це історія нашого народу.” [“The History of the Song ‘Chervona Kalyna’ — It’s the History of Our People”]. Ukrayinska Pravda - Blogs, 23 Apr. 2022, blogs.pravda.com.ua/authors/viatrovych/6263e438be69a/.
Vogue Ukraine. “Коса – дівоча сила: чому українки плели коси.” [“The Braid is a Girl’s Strength: Why Ukrainian Women Wore Braids”]. Vogue, 3 May 2022, vogue.ua/article/beauty/volosy/chomu-ukrajinki-pleli-kosi-48472.html.
Vogue Ukraine. “Червона рута: 5 цікавих фактів про легендарну пісню.” [“Chervona Ruta: 5 Interesting Facts About the Legendary Song”]. Vogue.ua, 30 Sept. 2020, vogue.ua/article/culture/muzyka/chervona-ruta-5-interesnyh-faktov-o-legendarnoy-pesne-42208.html.
Pyrohov, Yevhen. “Пісня ‘Ніч Яка Місячна’ Як Вершина Української Пісенної Лірики.” [“The Song ‘What a Moonlit Night’ as the Pinnacle of Ukrainian Song Lyricism”]. Young Musicology: Science and Practice – 2023: A Collection of Materials from the All-Ukrainian Scientific-Practical Conference of Higher Education Students and Young Scholars, 2023, pp. 77–79.
Suggested materials:
Bohdan Medwidsky Ukrainian Folklore Archives
The Bohdan Medwidsky Ukrainian Folklore Archives (BMUFA) is the largest North American repository of Ukrainian and Canadian-Ukrainian folklore materials. It is open to students, scholars, and the general public. It is used by students and researchers for studies related to Ukrainian and Canadian folklore, and as a resource for continuing community outreach projects and publications. The archives support research and community outreach projects and are part of the Kule Centre for Ukrainian and Canadian Folklore at the University of Alberta.
Polyphony Project is an online archive of musical folklore. This project explores, preserves, and presents the living musical folklore of Ukrainian villages. In addition, it provides a musical catalog, advanced search tools, and an interactive mapping of folk songs across Ukraine.
Sanin, Oles, director. "The Guide." Pronto Film, 2014.
The Guide (2014) is a Ukrainian historical drama film that depicts Stalin's repressions in the 1930s. It follows the story of Peter, a young American boy, and Ivan, a blind kobzar whose traditional Ukrainian folk music symbolizes cultural resilience. The film narrates the historical events of the Soviet persecution of kobzars, bandura, and kobza music instrument players, whose eyes were gouged out (physical mutilation) by the Bolsheviks. The film showcases the systematic and deliberate extermination of Ukrainian culture and crimes against humanity committed in Ukraine by the Soviet regime.
Tamaz Gabisonia. "Ukrainuli Khalkhuri Musika." Georgian Folklore.
Written by a Georgian, this enlightening article explores Ukrainian folk music's cultural, historical, and vocal aspects, looking into the historical development, cultural heritage, traditional genres, regional diversity, music production, political interpretation, and musical war resonance in lyricism.
This insightful article explores the history of the creation of the Carol the Bells, its transformation into the world-famous music masterpiece, the composer's life, and the song's cultural, historical, and political legacy.
Written by Andrii Drobko, CREES graduate assistant and native Ukrainian born in Lviv.