K’ark’uchit Ts’amaiqvanes

(scroll down for English translation)

K’ark’uchit ts’amaiqvanes kali lamazi tmiani

Shvidi maqari gamoqva shvidtave tskhenosniani

Ar maishala lamazma, shavi tolebis briali

Ts’qalat khidtan rom mividnen, dadga khanjlebis t’riali

Kalma stkva akhalgazrdasa, sitsilit shavep’arebi

Movak’vlevineb survilsa akhlos ar gavek’arebi

Bevrjer vqopilvar maqarshi bevrsats var gadanaqari

Is k’i ar gamigonia dedopals hk’otsnis maqari

P’irma daglotsot ghvtisanam nats’ilma bardzimisanam

Alaverds ts’minda giorgim kalakshi sionisaman

Ghmerto nu moshli am sakhlshi lkhinsa da gakharebasa

Vazhebs korts’inebasa, kalebis gast’umrebasa

Translation:

A beautiful-haired woman was taken with a song

Seven groomsmen followed, all seven were horsemen

This beautiful woman didn’t stop sparkling her black eyes

When they came to the bridge over the water,

The daggers started turning

The woman said,

I will sneak amongst the youngsters with laughter

I will kill their wish without even touching them

I have been many times in groups of groomsmen,

I have met many of them

But I have never heard of the groomsmen kissing the bride

May you be blessed by the mouth of God

By the chalice, By Saint George of  Alaverdi,¹

And by Sioni Cathedral²

May God never cease this feasting and happiness

The marriage of the sons,

And the sending off of the woman³

¹A famous monastery in the eastern Georgian region of Kakheti.  The monastery was founded in the 6th century by Joseph Alaverdeli from Antioch, one of the  Thirteen Assyrian Fathers. 

²Sioni Cathedral of the Dormition. Originally constructed in the 6th-7th century, Sioni is a Georgian Orthodox cathedral in Tbilisi, Georgia.  Read more about the cathedral here. 

³Traditionally in the Caucasus, when a woman gets married she moves away from her family into her husband's home. 

Kartveli Deda

Text: Simon Chikovani

(scroll down for English translation)

Tskhra dze hqavda tskhra vazhk’atsi dedas

Shejach’vuli khmlit da muzaradit

Kartlis drosha daulotsa mkhedars

Ros dagveskha mt’eri mukhanati

Shejiritdnen guladebi tsetskhlshi

Chainerges mkholod vazhk’atsoba

Amkhnevebdat sakartvelos eshkhi

Tvitveulma khmali gaatsopa

Dastskhet bich’o ar sheirtes dari

Deda dakhvdat mk’lavis anabara

Medroshe shvils sheashvela lotsva

Momdevno dzes drosha chaabara

Dastskhet bich’o tmebi ganidzartsva

Tavdadebit akezebda mkhedart

Tskhra marjvenam drosha gadinatsvla

Daukhrelad daubrunda dedas

Tskhra marjvenit t’qvian gauara

Arts ertia daubrunda dedas

Translation:

Georgian Mother

Text: Simon Chikovani

She had nine sons, nine brave young men

Chained in swords and helmets

She blessed the horseman on the flag of Kartli

When the treacherous enemy attacked us

The courageous ones rode through the fire

They swore only on bravery

They sharpened their swords

Encouraged by their love of Georgia

-Strike, boy, don’t wait for good weather

Mother met up with them

She helped her flagman son by praying

He surrendered the flag

To the following brother

-Strike, boy, she winded her hair

She encouraged them with her devotion

Nine right hands handed off the flag

That without a scratch, returned to mother

Nine, by the right hand, shot by a bullet

Not one of them returned to mother

Kartvelo

Text: Gogia Kavtiashvili 

Music: Nato Tsiklauri 

(scroll down for English translation)

Kartvelo – vis dautme mits’a-ts’qali kartvelo

         Shemogt’iris mta da bari kartvelo

Kartvelo – dagekhura sakhlis k’ari kartvelo

         Rad darek’e glovis zari kartvelo

Kartvelo – rad ar mohk’vdi ghirseulad kartvelo

         Moghalat’e rad gits’odes kartvelo

Kartvelo – rad chaikre sakhlis k’era kartvelo

         Rat’om dagdes eris ts’qevla kartvelo

Kartvelo – rom gagits’qra bedists’era kartvelo

         Rad ar st’iri rad ar godeb kartvelo

Kartvelo – rad shegriskha krist’e ghmertma kartvelo

         Rad gagzarda net’av dedam kartvelo

Translation:

Georgian

Georgian, To whom did you give the land and water?

                   The mountains and plains cry for you.

Georgian, If only you closed the door to your house

                   Why did you ring the bell of mourning?

Georgian, Why did you not die a worthy death?

                    Why did they call you a traitor?

Georgian, Why did you smother your hearth?

                    Why is our nation cursed?

Georgian, Why is your destiny against you?

                    Why do you not lament?

Georgian, Why is God’s wrath upon you?

                     I wonder why your mother raised you.

Diash Darjl

(scroll down for English translation)

Diash darjl imte achad

Voi darjl, diash darjl

Diash darjl imte achad

Lamqavs mikhal desa ari

Diash darjl imte achad

Translation:

A mother cries for her daughter Darjl –

Where did Darjl go?

I thought she was with the other women,

But she wasn’t  

I wonder where she went

She went to the spring

But now she’s not there

Mother cries for Darjl

Irinola

(scroll down for English translation)

Irinola marinola dede marinolai

Imtesghrdas si lmkadvne dede marinolai

Lachkur mechde lamtilate dede marinolai

Irinola marinola dede marinolai

Hagrush meshde lamtilarte dede marinolai

Irinola marinola dede marinolai

Irinola oru dieloda marinola

Imte esghrdas, oru dieloda si lamkade

Translation:

The translation of this song comes from the liner notes of Mzetamze Ensemble's album Vol II: Traditional Georgian Women's Songs. 

Irinola, Marinola, you daughter-in-law of Ioseliani.

You daughter of Chakhagriani.

You had a dun horse.

A saddle ornamented with metal-work on it…

You held a riding whip ornamented with metalwork. 

You are searching for your mother-in-law

And your father-in-law.

So you started to wander, to travel.

You try to find a trace of their disappearance by questioning.

You climbed on a mountain ridge.

You looked back and you caught site of them.

Who lived by themselves and had abandoned Marinola.

What’s the matter, mother-in-law, father-in-law…

I didn’t do anything to you.

I didn’t bring shame on you.

I brought up the orphans for my husband.

I also wanted to look after you.

Now you stay on your own.

There is no Georgian or English translation available for this song. If you are able to provide one, please include it in an email to TsutisopeliProject@gmail.com and we will update the page.

K’asletila

Rero i detsem amt’qvasg usk’vrish zural

Rero i rasharera

Rero i khilzigaleghv k’aslet’ilas

Rero i lazgas jughvan sharbiansha

Rero i kor murqvam jig dadiansha

Rero i dzghvid jitskhip’da sharbiansha

Rero i im lajsurnekh k’akhiansha

Rero i lakhan mkhnid ghvashar sga jibkh

Rero i muhunts’shid maluld jeqad

Rero i mtskhalidghal rach’uld jeqadkh

Rero i rasharera, rero i rasharera…

Lile

(scroll down for English translation)

O lile o isgvami didabio

Riligva shileda i

Odi o, lile

I shaidi oi lile va

Okvrashi samk’alio didabi

Shileda o odi o, lile

I shaidi oi lile va

Didabi didabio

Khoshaamaa gherbatsai

O li o, lile o

Translation:

This translation comes from the liner notes of Riho Ensemble's album, Vocal Polyphonies From Svaneti, by Frank Kane and Joseph Jordania:

O Lile o, glory to you,

Rilgwaia shileda odi vo, Lile o

O di voi, Lile da,

A golden decoration for the Archangel,

O di voi, let us pray for our welfare.

Meskhuri Mravalzhamier

/Mravalzhamier,

Mravalzhamier kartvelno da mravalzhamier/

/Inebos ghmertma,

Inebos ghmertma kartvelno da chveni sitsotskhle/

/Ara chvengnita,

Ara tkvengnita kartvelno da ghvtis shets’evnita/

Mravalzhamier,

Mravalzhamier kartvelno da mravalzhamier

Many Years Of Life

Many years of life

Many years of life, Georgians

Many years of life

God grants us

God grants us, Georgians

Our lives

Not from us

Nor from you, Georgians

Only by God’s help

Many years of life

Many years of life, Georgians

Many years of life

Mirangula

(scroll down for English translation)

Dedesh dedesh mirangula, dedesh voi dedesh

Dedes isgvam sigar khodras, dedesh voi dedesh

Zhiu khogena murqvamtezhi ho (dedesh voi dedesh)

Sadil k’akhshams murqvamd jikhdakh (dedesh voi dedesh)

Voi leshkhiiak j’mshish ladegh’ (dedesh voi dedesh)

Mirangula desa eskhvid (dedesh voi dedesh)

Translation:

The translation of the Svan song Mirangula below comes from the liner notes of Riho Ensemble's Vocal Polyphonies From Svaneti, by Frank Kane and Joseph Jordania:

You belong to your mother, Mirangula,

You were an only child.

She took him to the tower.

She brought him supper there.

Let Wednesday be cursed.

She brought his supper there,

But Mirangula was not alive.

Murza I Bekzil

(scroll down for English translation)

Murizari Ovodivoi

Bek’zilzilo khasiguriao ho

Odivo m’rzajivoi bek’zilivo da

Rasmai gena

Vorivo da khimaraled chegamite zeka m’te

Vorivo da khitishured apkhneg mara

Magjavoi namtishv da beksoltansha

Kavkhaivoi genakhivo da bekam’te

Bazishivoi sadgvemivoda imeg gvera

Bazishivoi sadgvemivoda bachar bukvan

Bazishivoi vakhshami voda, igeb gvera

Bazishivoi vakhshami voda, beks’l gvikh’de

Beks’l voi gvikh’de vakhshami voda,

ghvazhash tkhumar

Voidai vorira rasha rera

Voisa rasha ramaida

Voisa vorodila ramaida ho

Translation:

The translation below comes from the liner notes of Riho Ensemble's album, Vocal Polyphonies From Svaneti, by Frank Kane and Joseph Jordania:

Murza and Bekzil are riding wolves.

Murza and Bekzil are preparing to go to Jegam.

They choose from among their fellow fighters,

Taking the bravest of them.

They went beyond Svaneti

Where shall we stay the night?

Under the cliffs of Berejiani.

There is no English translation available for this song. If you are able to provide one, please include it in an email to TsutisopeliProject@gmail.co and we will update the page.

Qansav Qipiane

Qansav qipiane da qansav qipiane (ho die)

Umtschai udgare da umtschai udgare (ho die)

Khochai ghvazhare da khochai ghvazhare (ho die)

balp'as ishialekh da bakhas ishialekh (ho die)

Khodrai ghvazhare da khodrai ghvazhare (ho die)

T’vibras z’zdandakh da t’vibras z’zdandakh (ho die)

Namtsa i topare da namtsa i topare (ho die)

Barjas jasdandakh da barjas jasdandakh (ho die)

Shaimadi

Shaimadi shamarera voisa shamarera

Shaira vorera voisarera

Shaira Mikheil Khergianze

(scroll down for English translation)

Shaira da imsha betkil mikhvi mishas

Shaira rera vorera…

Shaira da k’ltkhi ushba zhi mik’visha

Shaira da mehad k’varem mehad uch’ba

Shaira da chvens migena k’ltkhi ushba

Shaira da voi leshkhiak dolomit’ar

Shaira da dagra mar i mi echa t’ar

Shaira da chukhedzgburikh tak’v i talar

Shaira da lemesgmatskhip’ meshkhikh ghalar

Shaira da k’mrals aharekh k’ojash dalar

Shaira da imkhan ankhadkh amchu alar

Shaira darild makvind lakhvbad mishgu

Shaira da zhakhir ant’ikh mama mishgur

Sharia da imsha betkil mikhvi mishas

Sharia da k’ltkhi ushba zhi mik’visha

Sharia rera vorera, shai

Translation:

The following lyric translation comes from the liner notes of Riho Ensemble's album, Vocal Polyphonies From Svaneti, by Frank Kane and Joseph Jordania:

I am not Betkil,¹ I am Misha.

I’ve gathered the strongest men.

Ice and snow all the time.

I’ve blazed many untrodden paths.

I brought high Ushba to its knees.

The Dolomite Alps,

They caused my death.

The rope and spikes failed.

My wings are burning.

Dali² is crying on the cliff,

How did they get here?

Sing Zari³ for me, brothers.

I am returning famous, I am not ashamed.

I am not Betkil, I am Misha.

I brought high Ushba to its knees.''

¹Betkil is a hunter who appears in Svan mythology and in folk songs such as Bail Betkili. The comparison here is that because Betkil dies by falling from a cliff as a result of angering Dali.

²Goddess of hunting

³Funeral dirge

There is no English translation available for this song. If you are able to provide one, please include it in an email to TsutisopeliProject@gmail.com and we will update the page.

Shina Vorgili

Shisha da gergilsivo tskharvasha

Vo di vo tskharvash

Shisha da i sgimldivo jishanda

Vo di vo tskharvash

Shisha da i echnar shivo, mabzara

Vo di vo tskharvash

Shina sheda geergilsivo tskharvashi

Vo di vo tskhaivoda

Shina sheda sgiimldivo jishani

Vo di vo tskhaivoda shina sheda

Shina sheda echnoshivo mamzari

Vo di vo tskhaivoda shina sheda

Shina vorgili vorgili voisa

Vo shina vorgege

Voisa rero ramaida

Voisa vorodila rambaida

Tamar Dedpal

(scroll down for English translation)

Shai rada tamar dedpal tatrish meshial

Shaira rera orera

Shai rada abjar askhmul isgu lashgar

Shaira rera orera

Shai rada lat’pars anghri lamshvenate

Shaira rera orera, shai

Riliorudelaivo

Tamar dedipal io i vo

I vo ia, ikheshial ivo

Tatrisha ai

Voidai lashgar o

Tamara ghvivo

Dedpala, voia imivo sgveji

Dai voi rero sgveji dai

Voi amivo sgveji

Dai tamara dedpala

/Voi amivo sgveji da/

Dai tkhum asad jaiganda

Vosuriro chai dai

Voriadela tamar dedpal taiamare

Voriadela vorgelshina taiamare

Voriadela chidmachene taiamare

Voriadela chazhild jirda taiamare

Voriadela kvishmish perish taiamare

Voriadela hungrild jigda taiamare

Voriadela shin okrashi taiamare

Delaso deliasavoda da

Odelas delasavoda da

Voisa rasha ramaida

Voisa rasha ramaida, ho

Translation:

The translation below comes from the liner notes of Riho Ensemble's album, Vocal Polyphonies From Svaneti, by Frank Kane and Joseph Jordania:

Your troops are in full armour.

They are coming over Latpar to Svaneti.

Tamar the Queen is fighting the Turks.

Tamar the Queen, be our guest.

You had a decorated crown.

Your hair was the most beautiful.

Tamar the Queen, Tamar met with the noblemen.

Tamar the best, you had a horse.

Your horse was the colour of sand.

K’atsi Sul Tsdilobs Gons Mqopi

Text: Shalva Sisauri

(scroll down for English translation)
 

K’atsi sul tsdilobs gons mqopi

Rom ar ajobon t’olebma

Magram khandiskhan t’quvdeba

Misis sts’rapmali goneba

Khan zogebs schagravs simdidre

Zogs sigharibe ts’valeba

Khan k’idev vinme survili

Gverdze rom ar geqoleba

Amit’om chem ts’il sitsotskhles

Mudam khom ar akvs lkhinoba

Amistvis ar meshinia

Ar mogitsia p’iroba

Chem ch’k’uaze verts me davdivar

Dro me ar memorchileba

Bindi mashinebs daghmartshi

Aghmartshi mchagravs tskhovreba

Ar gvinda pikri imaze

Rats iqo da rats ikneba

Gindats givlili qvela dghe

Is khom arasdros brundeba

Meore qmats’vilobis dro

Midis miva da mihqveba

Mesame didi shetsdoma

Arsad ar gamosts’ordeba

Mjera rom qvela tsotskhalsa

Dro mouva da mok’vdeba

Pikrit nasheni k’oshk’ebi

K’ubos pitsrebshits mohqveba

Ak utkmels satkmels sad it’qvis

Mt’ris bages sit’qva ar stsdeba

Kveqnad mqops pasi imita

Ritits tsotskhlad ar itkmeba

Translation:

A Reasonable Man Always Tries

A reasonable man always tries

To be no worse than his equals

But mistakes are not always avoided

By his quick mind

Some people are defeated by their own wealth

Some are defeated by poverty and struggle

Some – by longing for someone

For not having their presence

That’s why my life

Is not always cheerful

Though I am not scared

Because you have not promised me anything

I don’t always act according to my will

Time does not obey me

Fog scares me when I walk down the mountain

Life bullies me when I walk back up

Let’s not think

About the past or the future

For the days we have spent

Will never come back

The time, our second youth

Is going and following

The third big mistake

Will never be corrected

I believe that every living being

Will die at some point

Castles built in dreams

Will be buried along with the coffin

When will one say words that are not to be said?

Words do not slip from an enemy's lips

The price of a living being is something

That cannot be weighed during one's life

K'atso Kartvelo

Text: Gogia K’avtiashvili

Music: Maqvala Ts’ik’lauri

(scroll down for English translation)

Tsa shavad rad ighrubleba

Rad ts’evs burusi nislisa

Ek’lesiidan rad ismis

Zaris dzakhili riskhvisa

K’atso kartvelo, rad zikhar

Khmals rada lesav vistvisa

Nutu kartvelebs kartvelis

Gagheba gvinda siskhlisa

Ara mjeroda natkvami

Arasdros damijeria

Rom kartvels kartvelis guli

Odesme khelshi sch’eria

Albat versait ts’auvalt

Chvens ts’inap’arta chvevasa

Kishp’obas erturtisasa da

Ertadve p’irjvris ts’erasa

Translation:

Georgian Man

The blackened cloudy sky

Where the fog lies

What is heard from the church?

What is the ringing of the bells for?

Georgian man, why are you sitting?

For whom are you sharpening your dagger?

Is it really possible that you would shed

The blood of your own people?

I don’t believe the saying

I've never believed

That a Georgian could hold in his hand

Another Georgian's bleeding heart

Perhaps they are doomed

Our forefathers' customs

We are one another’s rivals

Yet we cross ourselves the same way¹

¹Georgian Orthodox Christians cross themselves with the tips of their first three fingers brought toether and the last two pressed against the palm of the hand. The first three fingers express faith in the Trinity while the reamining two fingers represent the two natures of Jesus, divine and human. The sign of the cross is made by touching the hand sequentially to the forehead, lower chest, right shoulder and then left shoulder.  This is different than, for example, the practices of Roman Catholics and Western Christians.

There are no lyrics available for this song. If you arre able to provide more information, please include it in an email to TsutisopeliProject@gmail.com and we will update the page.

For a rough translation of the lyrics, refer to the About Song section.

Khadas Alilo

Otsdakhutsa am tveshia

Krist’e dabadebulao

Shegets’iot krist’es madli

Tetrad gatenebulao

Alatasa balatasa

Chamovk’idebt k’alatasa

Tito k’vertskhi chvents mogvetsit

Ghmerti mogtsemt barakasa

Translation:

Christmas Carol from Khada

On the 25th of this month

Christ was born

Grant us Christ’s mercy

Day breaks in white colors

I will hang up the basket

Give us each an egg

God will grant you bounty

There is no English translation available for this song. If you are able to provide one, please include it in an email to TsutisopeliProject@gmail.com and we will update the page.

Khakhmat’ze

Text: Ghvtiso Aludauri

Mivadri aim ghrubeltan

Khids ro gadadiano

Ikneb chakhedav khakhmat’sa

Naghvaro nakhiriano

Agekhvevian borbalo

Tsremlis nak’adad qriano

/Shurtkhni ch’ianur dauk’vren

Simgheras dazdzakhiano/