Khanshi Shesulo Metskhvare

(scroll down for English translation)

Khanshi shesulo metskhvare

Isev gimgheris gulia

Mash davijero ar itsi

Dardi da siqvarulia

Mash davijero ara khar

Bedisgan dachagrulia

Mash davijero ara gakvs

Balghoba dak’argulia

Translation:

You Are Not Young Anymore, Shepherd

You are not young anymore, shepherd

But your heart still wants to sing

How can I believe

That you do not know grief and love?

How can I believe

That you have not been oppressed by fate?

How can I believe

That you have not lost your childhood?

Khatabala

(scroll down for English translation)

Dedasheni volgit dadis

Sheni da k’i verbovk’it

Sats’qal mamashens dzveluremze k’opats ar akvs

Es ra khataia khatabalaa

Dedasheni k’at’let’sa sch’ams

Sheni da k’i erbok’vertskhs

Sats’qal mamashens tsiv lobioze kindzits ar akvs

Es ra khataia khatabalaa

Dedasheni koshebs itsmevs

Sheni da k’i prantsusk’ebs

Sats’qal mamashens dzvel kalmebze k’op’its ara akvs

Es ra khataia khatabalaa

Translation:

What A Disaster

Your mother rides a Volga¹

Your sister, by verbovka

Your poor father, in an old bullock cart

What a disaster – It's a disaster!

Your mother eats meat cutlets

You sister, butter-eggs

Your poor father, cold beans without even cilantro!

What a disaster – It's a disaster.

Your mother wears slippers

Your sister, fancy shoes

Your poor father, he wears old sandals, without soles!
What a disaster, it's a disaster.

¹A Russian car that came out in 1956 in the Soviet Union and was known as a "status" car

Khatabala

(scroll down for English translation)

Dedachemi zhark’osa sch’ams, chemi da k’i k’at’let’sa

/Mamachemi tsiv lobios, chamchats araia

Es ra khataia, khatabalaia/

Dedachemi p’alt’os itsmevs, chemi da k’i shubasa

/Mamichemis dzvel ts’inelsa k’optats araia

Es ra khataia, khatabalaia/

Dedachemi t’uplebs itsmevs, chemi da k’i bot’ebsa

/Mamachemis dzvel kalmebsa, t’qlap’its araia

Es ra khataia, khatabalaia/

Dedachemi avt’otit dadis, chemi da k’i mankanit

Sats’qali mamachemi dzlivgha dadis kankarit

Es ra khataia, khatabalaia

Dedachemi inishneba, chemi da k’i tkhovdeba

Sats’qali mamachemi k’i samudamoda k’vdeba

Es ra khataia, khatabalaia

Translation:

The Disaster Joke Song
 

My mom eats spicy food

My sister, she eats cutlets

My dad, well he eats cold beans, without a spoon!

What a disaster, it's a disaster
 

My mom wears a coat

My sister, she wears a fancy jacket

My dad, well he wears an old overcoat, without buttons!

What a disaster, it is a disaster
 

My mom wears shoes

My sister, she wears high boots

My poor dad, he wears old sandals, without soles!

What a disaster, it is a disaster
 

My mom travels by bus

My sister, she travels by car

My poor dad, he can hardly walk even with a cane!

What a disaster, it is a disaster
 

Now my mom is betrothed

My sister, she will be married

But my poor dad, he will die eternally

What a disaster, it is a disaster

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.

Khat’ebze

Text: Mariam Ts’ik'lauri

Marjvniv gza midis sauplos

Salotsavebis jeria

Tsikhe-gors galobs burbuli

Quchad usmenen mtania

Visats eg madli ak’lia

Misi tskhovreba madlia

Visats akvs misi qopna k’i

Maradisobis zhamia

Khel Mart'oobas Rom Schivi

(scroll down for English translation)

Khel mart’oobas rom schivi

Ara khar shesabralebi

Gaiar gamoiaret

Matodenia kalebi

Tu vinme mogets’oneba

Mere mets dagekhmarebi

Dilit mogit’an mzitevsa

Dilas davak’ar nalebi

Madlobeli var dedidzmav

Damkhmare mezoblisao

Vap’ireb tsolis moqvanas

Male gavmartav lkhinsao

Skhvas aras shevats’ukheb

Para damidis tskhvrisao

Magas k’i k’arg sakmes izam

Tu k’i matkhoveb virsao

K’ai nalebi dagik’rav

Chamoskhmul poladisao

Lursmnebi sadgha ishove

Albat dastale khisao

Translation:

You Complain That You Are Alone (joke song)

(uncle)

You complain that you are alone

But you’re not to be pitied

Going left and right

How many women have there been?

When you really like someone

Then I will help you

I'll bring the bride price in the morning

I’ll have the horseshoes ready

(nephew)

I am grateful, Uncle

You are a helpful neighbor

I plan to get married

And I will soon put on a party

I will not disturb anymore

I've got a flock

And you would be doing me a good deed

If you lend me your donkey

You have made such good horseshoes

Made of steel

But where did you find those nails?

Perhaps you carved them from wood…

Khen Dzire Dalhen Ia

Text: Ioseb Longishvili

(scroll down for English translation)

K’ats’k’o taguina ia das

Khendzire halo dalheno

Delisha soda hech’vina

Lamzurch iahokha tarhleno

K’ats’k’o denola ia sogo

Lehsona matkhog hech’ana

Hal ma ekh’doles dekhoshokh

Sodaga deen peshk’ara

K’ats’k’o denola ia sogo

K’ast’e matkharlas iao

Han khea kh’elo daghguias

Vese bedukha t’ialo

K’ats’k’o taguina ia das

Khendzire halo dalheno

Delisha soda hech’vina

Lamzurch iahokha tarhleno 

Translation:

I Am A Pretty Little Violet

I am a pretty little violet

Blooming at the foot of a tree

Laughing here and there

Like a beautiful young girl

My life is short

I want to look at the sun

You, child who has come to see me

Please don't pick me!

My life is short

I will fade soon

Who knows if I am to grow again

Oh this wretched life!

I am a pretty little violet

Blooming at the foot of a tree

Laughing here and there

Like a beautiful young girl

Khen Dzire Dalhen Ia

Text: Ioseb Longishvili

(scroll down for English translation)

K’ats’k’o taguina ia das

Khendzire halo dalheno

Delisha soda hech’vina

Lamzurch iahokha tarhleno

K’ats’k’o denola ia sogo

Lehsona matkhog hech’ana

Hal ma ekh’doles dekhoshokh

Sodaga deen peshk’ara

K’ats’k’o denola ia sogo

K’ast’e matkharlas iao

Han khea kh’elo daghguias

Vese bedukha t’ialo

K’ats’k’o taguina ia das

Khendzire halo dalheno

Delisha soda hech’vina

Lamzurch iahokha tarhleno 

Translation:

I Am A Pretty Little Violet

I am a pretty little violet

Blooming at the foot of a tree

Laughing here and there

Like a beautiful young girl

My life is short

I want to look at the sun

You, child who has come to see me

Please don't pick me!

My life is short

I will fade soon

Who knows if I am to grow again

Oh this wretched life!

I am a pretty little violet

Blooming at the foot of a tree

Laughing here and there

Like a beautiful young girl

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.

Khevsuretze

Tvalshi mdzinare tsremli var

Mamulzed chamosat’iri

An da zhamta dena vor

P’ir ghurbliani Shat’ili

Mutsoshi torghvas simagre

Shaukrobs gamoshat’uli

Ardotshi murghvat simagre

Uk’vlo karebs rom chavt’iri

Khakhabos khakhat’ khirimi

Ats’undis gorzed mkukhari

Zed gorzed talais tsikhe

Mt’risagan nasults’ukhari

Khmali var Davit Beruli

Qornebis siskhlshi mdughari

Aiekh sakhl-k’ris chamoshla

Ach’inch’rebuli bukhari

Zed ach’inch’rebuli bukhari

Sichume sasaplaoti

Da daniukhe mdumari

Ert dghes sul damodena var

Tsa mzes gamqopi vin aris

/Shen tetri mtebis trtolva khar

Tsa varsk’vlavebis mandili/

Guli khar sajikhveebis

Mk’erdidan amovardnili

Narek’lianis sats’utros

Khan satave khar khan dziri

Shen is khar vints rom amok’la

Chemi sats’utros manzili

Khevsuretze

Text: Gabriel Ch’inch’arauli

(scroll down for English translation)

Khevsurets miesalmeba

K’alami gamotsdilia

Sadats boinobs arts’ivi

Mkhrebs atamashebs gmiria

Ts’qaro chkebs qinuliani

Salik’ldit gadaghvrilia

Tsis varsk’vlav tavit qvavilni

Sit’urpit gasak’viria

Shurtkhi gahk’ivis ch’iukhta

Okros tma davartskhnilia

Lkhinobs bunebis surati

Mdis uk’vdavebis milia

Mtebi dgas chamts’k’rivebuli

T’ans mskhvili mkhargashlilia

Rogors st’alinis jarebi

Saubrad tavmaqrilia

Gachumebulan soplebi

Bevr dro akv gamovlilia

Khalkh akhsovs t’anabjriani

Mitkhos khmis mt’ekhi mziria

Sul ts’ukhad khirimt k’ukhili

Sidznele gadaqrilia

Khavsmak’idebul tsikheta

Libu ar mt’quvnobs dziria

Khavsmak’idebul tsikheta

Libu ar mt’quvnobs dziria

Masts’onda m’qviat karshkhali

Gul mk’erdit gamatvlilia

Chardakhianem k’edlebma

Topit itsodes lkhinia

Shvidn ch’ekdes goza rkianni

Dzvals k’vetda khmlebis p’iria

Jghreda qudvilebs parebsa

Gmins uqveboda gminia

Khelshi tsvdebodes k’irgorni

Dro hkonda gasach’iria

Tskhoneba khevsurt gmirebsa

Mits’a rom ak’rav grilia

Zog tu ts’evs gulsiskhliani

Zog khel-pekh gadach’rilia

Aghar zhghers imat abjari

Adgas kva mits’is chrdilia

Sjobs rom ar nakhan mzis shuki

Kveqana gardakmnilia

Arts imas vadzlevt p’at’ivsa

Vints saamaqo shvilia

Tem-soplis gamosadegi

Svindisit amozdilia

Mt’erstan gmirulad damakhvedri

Lomi k’mil gagershilia

K’arg vazhi k’argi kal-rdzali

Vinats qvelaprit srulia

Mamgondas gamikhardeba

Guls ek’urneba ts’qlulia

Taqvans stsems chemi k’alami

Kebas mk’arnakhobs gulia

Translation:

Khevsureti

Greetings to Khevsureti

My pen if proficient for you

Where the eagle reigns

Playing on the hero’s shoulder

The spring runs icy

Purified by the rocks

Like the sky’s stars, like flowers

Surprised by their own beauty

The snowcock cries to the gorge

Its golden hair combed

Nature celebrates

In a moment of immortality

The mountains stand in a row

Thick-bodied, broad-shouldered

Formidable

Like the armies of Stalin

Villages are silenced

So much time has passed

Forever troubled,

Difficulties have dissipated

The moss-covered castle

Protected and safe

It enjoyed the storm of bullets

That lashed its breast

These shadowy walls

Know both war and peace

There was thunder

Bones slashed by the tongue of swords

Flocks, all in a row

The moaning voices of sheep

Faded in the hands of the limestone hills

Time has had it difficult

Khevsur heroes must be remembered

Those who have turned over the cool earth

Some lie with bloody hearts

Some have wounded arms and legs

There is no longer the sound of armor

A rock stands in the shadow of the earth’s shade

It is better not to see the light of the sun

Because the world has transformed

And those glorious sons –

Don't get paid their due respect

Those who were meant for village life

And were raised well

Good fighters against the enemies

Lions with wild tears

Good young men, good young women

Perfect, absolute in every way

It would make me happy to remember

It would be medicine for my poor heart

I adore my pen

As my heart sings these praises.

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.

Khevsuruli

Davnat’rio dabadebasao

Dartlos khut’urisa dzisasao

Qans k’i ertisasats ar iqvao

T’risasa da mak’etisasao

Logins dgamda naqaechosao

Shig kuchsa chaagebda mtisasao

Ubarebsa qaduelebsao

Lek’ni rad zdit chvenis gzisasao

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.

Khevsuruli  

(scroll down for English translation)

Barisakhoshi ghvtisoi

Araqs daaskhavs mts’aresa

Gairtavs sts’or amkhanegebs

Simgheras chaut’arebsa

/Tskhens shejda bindobisasa

Gamoudgebis ch’alebsa/

Tovli tovs k'ari gugunebs

Vazhk’atss ubnelebs tvalebsa

Magram is tskhenits t’iali

Tols veghar hk’idebs nalebsa

Tskhen daskhlt’a mkhedar tan chahqva

Khelchkami chait’anesa

Shemoisvenebs mkhar gverdze

T’k’ivileb grdznobda mts’aresa

Tskheni t’irs ise at’irda da

Is tskheni tsremlebs chamohqris mts’aresa

Ch’iukhvt daits’qes t’irili

Tsremlit p’ir daibanesa

Miate dghezed vazhk’atso da

Sakhlshi dzlivs migit’anesa

Daemdureba da babale

Dards k’i dainanebsa

Daemdureba babale

Dards k’i dainanebsa

Vingha mogvikhnavs mamulsa da

Oblebs vin mozdis mts’aresa

Translation:

Song from Khevsureti

Ghvtiso in Barisakho¹

Pours bitter vodka

Enjoys with his friends

And sings for them

At twilight he mounted his horse

And road off into the groves

It snows, the wind blows

The brave man's eyes darken

But the poor horse

Can't manage in the deep snow

The horse fell and the rider followed 

To the sounds of breaking and tumbling

They lay there side by side

And felt bitter pain

The horse cried and cried

He shed sour tears 

The gorges, too, began to weep

And Ghvtiso's face was bathed in their tears

On the tenth day the brave man

Was finally carried home 

There, Babale argued

Mournful and regretful

Who will plough the fields now?

And who will bring up the children?

¹The largest village in Khevsureti, a highland in northeastern Georgia.

Khidi

(scroll down for English translation)

Soplis boloze ghelestan

Erti p’at’ara khidia

Am khidit chventan modian

Am khidit chvengan midian

Bebiachemi am khidze

Dadis otkhmotsi ts’elia

Bebia ambobs es khidi

Tamaris droindelia

Vin itsis k’idev am khidze

Ramdeni k’atsi gavao

Zogi p’irvelad shemova

Zogi k’i sulats ts’avao

Khidi isev darcheba

Radganats igi khidia

Ts’utisopeli egria

Sul modian da midian

Translation:

Bridge

Towards the end of the village at the stream

There is a small bridge

Through this bridge, people arrive

Through this bridge, people leave

My grandmother walks this bridge

Already for eighty years

My grandmother says: This bridge

Is from the time of Tamar Mepe¹

Who else knows of this bridge?

How many men will leave?

Some arrive for the first time

And some leave forever

It is a bridge, after all

It will remain where it is

Unlike our one-minute village

Where everyone arrives and everyone leaves

¹Tamar of Georgia, who reigned as queen of the country from 1184-1213 during Georgia's Golden Age. She was so beloved that Georgians refer to her to this day as Tamar Mepe or King Tamar.  She remains a very important cultural symbol and has been canonized by the Georgian Orthodox Church as Holy Righteous King Tamar.

Khirchla Baburauli

(scroll down for English translation)

At’irdi khirchlai tsoli

Ghilian p’erangiani

Khirchlav nu ts’akhval midkhoshid

Sakhli gakv sokoniani

Ar daijeris khirchlam

Glekhi gadidda ch’k’viani

T’ut’il khvnen amaishvilni

Mandzili ar kharni rkiani

Zulik’a zamaishvils

Topi akv t’alk’vesiani

Ar gagatsilebs khirchlao

Gamartul akvis t’iali

Sheni mamk’lavi khirchlao

Mit-ors memeted jdebodes

K’arzed moudis mlotsavi

Pe-zed ar ts’amudgebodes

Translation 

The following is a rough translation of the lyrics above. For more information about the story behind this song, refer to the About Song section.

Khirchla's wife falls to the ground in tears

Dressed in a button-down shirt

Crying, "Khirchla, Don't go to Midkho!

You have a house full of cattle to care for!"

Khirchla didn't listen

The peasant was too proud to hear

That the Amaishvili family in Midkho

Now has hammer rifles

From his rifle, Suika Amaishvili fired

Khirchla fell by his sword

Who will ever see a Khevsur like Khirchla?

Khirchla, the sword-bearer

Khma Utsnauri Mesmis Movdivar

(scroll down for English translation)

Khma utsnauri mesmis movdivar

Mogagneb gnakhav kalau saitme

/Da tu ver gnakhe ch’alais bolos

Gadavakoteb t’qeebs sairmes/

Gadavakoteb maghal ch’iukhvebs

Tan gaviqoleb prtamal arts’ivebs

/K’ldeebze shurtkhebs gavek’idebi

Chemi pikri rom maghla aits’evs/

Da ase vivli qvavilt amara

Shemiparaven mts’qemsta k’arvebi

/Da tu ver gnakhe chemo lurj tvala

Mtebshi nislivit davik’argebi/

Translation:

I Hear a Foreign Voice

I hear a foreign voice and I'm approaching

I will find you somewhere, woman

If I don’t find you by the end of the grove

I will rummage the whole forest through

I will search the high gorges

With a swift-winged eagle by my side

I will follow the snowcocks

While my thoughts rise high

I shall walk in the flowers

Sheltered by the shepherd's tent

And if I don’t find your blue eyes

I'll be lost in the mountains like fog

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.

Refer to the About Song section for a detailed explanation of this dirge.

Khokhbis Qelivit Lamazi

(scroll down for English translation)

Khokhobis qelivit lamazi

Kali gadmodga mtazeda

Chemsk’en itskeris matsdurad

Bindi amadga tvalzeda

Net’avi tu gqavs kmaria

Rogor gagishvebs ts’qalzeda

Chemi rom iqo lamazo

Ar mogitsileb tvalzeda

Shens tavs aravis davutmob

Shvlis nuk’ris tvalebiano

Kalav shens akhlos ver moval

Guli ar shegiprtkhialo

Mart’o shegkhedav mdzinarsa

T’k’bilad rom shagekhmiano

Ikneb churchulit shagk’itkho

Ra gesizmrebi prtiano.

Khokhbis qelevit lamazi

Kali gadmodga mtazeda.

Translation:

A woman with the beauty of a pheasant

Stands in the mountains

She stares at me seductively

As the twilight dissipates

If you have a husband,

Why does he let you walk to the spring alone?

If you were mine

I would never let you leave my side

I will never surrender you to anyone

My deer-eyed one

I won’t come near to you

For fear of making your heart tremble

I will merely watch you while you sleep  

I'll commune with you sweetly

Perhaps with a whisper I'll ask

What is it that you dream of, winged one? 

A woman with the beauty of a pheasant

Stands in the mountains

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

Khutshabat Gatenebada  

Khutshabat gatenebada

Irem daidzra mtisao

Sagateneblod shamakhda

Tkhorustav ts’veris dzirsao

Davk’one tormet’ tivani

Nabak’urais p’irsao

Chamouqenen chaghmasa

Qinuliansa chdilsao

Zed pitskhi dzilshi qinuli

Satreli eshmak’isao

Vazh unda gulze masuli

Ar gamaigan dzirsao

Chagkhedav chemo shat’ilo

Adgilo nap’irisao

Ts’in edgen namukarebo

Nabdzolo shamilisao

Bevra vazhia shat’ila

Gulze skho khis kvisao

Bevrad ts’inaats qopila

Javr ar uch’amav mt’risao

Tu ts’akhval monadireo

Nadir irchie tvlisao

T’qav khortsit gadasadegi

Masak’lavadats ghirsao

Gavdgebi kabalakhk’evsa

Qinuliansa chdilsao

K’ldis tbisad mat’olebulsa

Niav gvats’ukhebs mtisao

Sagateneblod shamakhdeba

Zhgharei nadiris rkisao

Tavars iqoleb lishansa

Esre maqoleb gminsao

Dats’qebs gadmodenasa

Rogorts patolis tvlisao

Chagikhalizebs chasvlasa

Amotvla nazardisao

Chakhedav gatsinebuli

Net’ar khar vitaisao

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.

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.

K’ldeebi Ukhsovar Droisa

K’ldeebi ukhsovar droisa            

Lilisper liloebs iskhamen            

Mze dasavletisk’en ichkaris              

Mkhedari alvanisa mkhrisak’en       

Gahqvebi k’ldis tavze bilik’ebs   

Shegkhvdeba iseti adili

Ch’ikasats ver daidgam adgilze

Tu dadgam qiraze gadivli

Ch’ikasats ver daidgam ushishrad

Tu dasdgam qiraze gadivli

Sheni gulistvis kalau

Davlakhe mtata k’ibeni

Tu gach’irdeba arts’ivta

Pekhdapekh gavek’idebi

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

Translation:

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

Master of the Cliffs

We lost the Master of the Cliffs.

Dali is crying, the cliffs are crying.

Where are our dream boys, where are you?

The Dolomite Alps took your life, Misha.

The rocks are crying,

And Dali is crying as well.

You have had bad luck,

We have lost two Mishas:

Gabliani did not return,

He stayed on foreign peaks.

We lost Ganu,

And the mountain goat hunter Gio.

We have lost the conquerors of Ushba,

Those poor brave lads.