Discover Ukraine…

May 11, 2011 in Daily-Worth a Look, My Thoughts 2 Comments

“Pursue some path, however narrow and crooked, in which you can walk with love and reverence.”
Henry David Thoreau

Discover Ukraine…
By Maya

My dear readers:
This is very special “issue” in terms that it is so close to my life. My mother was Russian, actually born in Ukraine. She married my father (Czech) and then lived for the rest of her life in CR.
I visited Ukraine (part of Russia) first time when I was 11. I have met my maternal grandmother and some other relatives for the first time. Even young as I was I was very surprised at some unusual things I came across then, such as singing and dancing everywhere. For example in a small village there was a movie theater and before movie started there was dancing and singing performed by movie visitors. Someone pulled out harmonica and all started super performance,  (where everyone would mistake them for professionals) like on a spur of the moment. It seemed to me even then that practically everybody sang there and that very well… and later I was re-assured about that being just a plain truth.
Russia (although here I would talk specifically about Ukraine) is a nation of best music and singers in the world and I stand behind that statement till I die.
My mother was a wonderful singer, although never professional, but whenever she visited with my father places where there was a life music, she was always asked to sing something. I am happy to say that I inherited good voice and actually could become opera diva if I have lived under another regime in my youth. Still I was performing at every school and similar events, usually singing Russian and Ukraine songs.
So on my first visit there, when my 2 cousins ages 9 and 12 were present, our grandmother asked us to sing for her and was very tough judge.  My cousins sang very well and I did try my best in that competition. I am happy to say that I managed with flying colors, and to tell the truth this is one of my most fond memories.
That was a time I acquired strong love for Russian music and learned many folk songs that I sing still today, often when I listen my CD’s.
Why I am telling you all this? Certainly not that I wish to boast, far from it. Music is simply part of me. The reason is, that I also know history and talked to many seniors there so I know a lot what happened there from real people who remembered. I am very proud that after all that happened, all that unspeakable suffering, it didn’t break the spirit and heritage, and great talent of the nation is still alive. And today’s young people live it, honor memories, love and sing old folk songs and how they sing it !!!
There is a heart and soul in those songs, as it couldn’t be found anywhere else.
These people are survivors! It is very sad that due to propaganda and fact that world had been divided in East and West, (before the fall of Berlin wall) people of different countries somehow forget that people elsewhere are not bad, on a contrary, especially here when you hear their music, their songs and how they are able to sing them… clearly shows that it is government, regime of that particular time, simply politics, the only thing I am capable to hate in my life. And as I know so well…government and people are two different poles.
So I would like to introduce you to Ukraine and its people. I have chosen some songs I like and sing myself and also show you how nation live in enjoyment of music and dancing.
I do wish that what happened would never ever happen again!
Viva Ukraine and its heroic, talented people!

Here is an excerpt from my article series “Truth” #2 (history facts)

Stalin (real name Grigori Dzugashvili)  who usurped power regardless of having criminal record longer then arm and non-existent conscience, it was he, who destroyed/murdered/starved…you name it… on estimate about 20 million of his own people. He let Ukraine to starve, (although grain was available to feed people because Ukraine is a huge grain grower)  millions of men, women and children, corpses were collected from fields, streets and houses like a garbage…
There are documented events showing major “communists achievements” of those times, for example major constructions like dams and similar, where on one such a building site worked 100 thousands workers at the beginning and 2 years later, after completion, there were about same amount of workers,  which might seem just right to you…except the inhumanly working conditions and life there were in such a horrifying state that every day  about 100 people perished! there and were replaced with “fresh blood!” Now do your math! He was unmerciful monster,  just reading his biography is a horror experience, how shockingly he treated his own son is simply heartbreaking…power insane, conceited individual with sky-high ego.
Note: There was also committed genocide on Ukraine’s Cossacks by him, heroic men who didn’t want to bend. But they are remembered always by Ukraine people. There are even children choruses singing Cossacks song and so on…
****
From my studies of history and other acquired knowledge I can say that Russia is a nation destined to extreme suffering. They survived so much that it is unspeakable, unimaginable… From czars, to bloody revolutions, to wars, to Stalin and continuously living under communists, just loosing millions and millions to horrors. Russians are extremely heroic nation, but as I say, always suffering, always deprived, always under heavy foot. They didn’t have privilege to meet freedom, they are not used to freedom…hopefully now some things are better…

Note: Please be aware that some videos are not greatest in color and overall quality, often being old and taken by amateurs, but I gave preference to best song performance as I like it and to help you understand lyrics I translated some of the songs from Ukraine language:

Here is one of old and well loved folk songs:

Oh, in the cherry garden

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zWHuSV62SQk&feature=related

Translated
by Maya

Oh, in the cherry garden

Oh in the cherry garden
There a nightingale chirped,
I was asking to get into home
But you are not letting me in.

Oh dear, you are mine and I am yours
you let me go, there is a dawn
soon my mother would wake up
and be asking where was I

And you give her such an answer;
What a wonderful night in May it is
Spring came and brought its beauty
And all are so happy about it

Daughter mine, not too rich,
Where have you all night been?
What good is your un-plaited braid
when tear is brimming in the eye

My hair is not braided
because my friend un-did it
and tear in my eye means
that I had to say farewell to my love

My mother, you’re old
and I am happy and young,
I want to live and love
so do not be at your daughter mad…

Oh in the cherry garden
There a nightingale chirped,
I was asking to get into home
But you are not letting me in

Another very much loved old song:
“Bird Cherries”

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g2ImFglNmvU&feature=related

“Bird Cherries”

Translated
by Maya

Again Cuckoo’s voice in the forest is heard
And Swallows are nesting on the roofs
Shepherd drives his group of sheep
And his song sings a nightingale

Refrain:
Cherry blossom everywhere is raving
Like to a wedding are dressed Cranberries,
Shepherd in the garden in a quiet spot
Waiting is girl, waiting.

She entered around poplar into the garden
And looked in a distance towards high mountains.
Where from birches morning dew was falling
And she fastened in her hair Cranberry roses

Refrain:
Cherry blossom everywhere is raving…

That evening the sheep near the ford
Came to take of cold water drink
And shepherd in the garden finds
The girl that loves him

Refrain:
Cherry blossoms everywhere is raving…

Traditional Ukraine folk song:
great! this one has English translation in video…

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k5O5rEhdUho

Introducing famous Ukraine dance ensemble “RUSALKA”
(the name identical with Antonin Dvorak’s opera Rusalka is purely coincidental)

They are really superior… and always come to my mind… how Stalin could destroy so many millions of his own, such a beautiful, talented people. I hope he is burning in HELL!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=74bUC15XobE&feature=related

Ukraine Cossacks choir sings very popular song:
“Guys Unharness Horses”

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t74er5nTMHo&feature=related

Cossack’s Song (From the Virgin Earth) and few Cossack pics

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RqEB2do1yx0&NR=1&feature=fvwp

Well, here is something for blood going…

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0mSFyZwi4cI&feature=related

“I’ll go to the distant mountains”
Translated by Maya

I’ll go to distant mountains, the wide meadows
I ask fresh wind that he would not sleep for days.
So it could fly on free wings over hill heights and valleys
And find out where my love is – brown eyes, black eyebrows.

Refrain:
My dear, my beloved the world has an ash color.
I bear in sight for you world all in a blue.
I carry love to you, dream about youth
And gardens bloom for me as I go to you.

And even when the wind from mountain
valleys will not want to fly,
I’ll still find a girl – black eyebrows, brown eyes.

I would go through swift rivers, cliffs and oaks
And my journeys will show me -brown eyes, black eyebrows.

As a last I would like to introduce myself. Actually not exactly, but some time ago I came across singer
Kristina Vikhrova that is almost my double. In face, body and practically identical singing voice.
I was really stunned, because until now I have never met any woman who would resemble me.
I am inclined to think she might even be, I don’t know…perhaps some very distant relative, my mother wasn’t later in contact with all her relatives spread across Ukraine and Russia. Even more funny is that people who knew me and saw this video were convinced this is me :-)
Anyway, I even sang this song long time ago when I was still school girl at some town event. That much
for coincidences…. hmmm
(Translation of this song is elsewhere, featuring another arrangement (more contemporary) and singer Pelageya.)

“Oy ty ne vecher” (Oh, this wasn’t an evening)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1KoNUYLBnX8&feature=related

 

Well, that’s is for today with glimpses of Ukraine.
I hope you liked it… please comment and share..

Regards,
Maya

 

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• About Maya

Music, songs translated, Ukraine, Ukraine Cossacks, Ukraine dance, Ukraine life, Ukraine songs