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.

Kalaks Mivdivar Kortsilshi, Shairi

Kalaks mivdivar korts’ilshi   

Teneba ari dilisa                  

Mivdivar magram sad mival                 

Sakhli ar vitsi imisi                

Mankana davikirave            

Tetri ram iqo vilisi                

Mteli dghe ase viaret                      

Didi qopila Tbilisi                  

Ts’in erti kali shemomkhda            

Chem khnisa chemi k’bilisa             

Utkhar sad aris korts’ili                    

Am k’atsis shvili shvilisa                 

Dadikhar kucha ar itsi          

Arts nomer itsi binisa                      

Ragha shen daibadebulkhar                       

K’atsi bechavi t’vinisi                        

Ert adgils quri davugde       

Khma gavigone sht’iviris     

Albat ak ari korts’ili               

Supra gashlili lkhinisi           

Mivdivar gakharebuli         

K’ari shavaghe rk’inisi         

Turme mk’vdars miasveneben       

Lesa-mt’veva dgas p’irisi

T’irili gamodioda

Kmar daghup’ili kvrivisi

Menats t’irili davits’qe

Qbagha damedzra p’irisi

Chem tavi upro majavrebs

Dardi ara mak imisi

Sad gaviteneb, ar vitsi

Dro mamiva dzilisi

P’uri mamshivda dzalian

Dalevats minda ghvinisi

Vin damaqenebs binashi

Puli ara makvs kirisi

Albat mindorshi davrchebi

Rogorts bulula tivisi

Instrumental.

Kalau, Ramdeni K’ilo Khar

(scroll down for English translation)

Kalau, dak’ripe kliavi

/Prtkhilad iqavi, ar chamoarde

Uberavs niavi/

/Kalau, da ramdeni k’ilo khar?/

Shvidi k’ilo da shvidasi grami

Met’i ar gamokhval

Jibeshi chagisvam ise gat’areb

Ra mdzime shena khar

Translation:

Woman, How Much Do You Weigh?

Woman, pick a plum

Be careful, don’t fall 

For the wind is blowing

Woman, how much do you weigh?

You can't be more than

Seven kilos and seven hundred grams

I could put you in my pocket

And carry you like that

That’s how heavy you are!

Kalav Sitsotskhle 

(scroll down for English translation)

Kalav sitsotskhle damts’velo gulisa

Titebi migigavs brolisa tlilisa

/Chemi khar eg kheli me sura mgonia

Vegharsad ts’amikhval ra bedi gkonia/

Dapastan ts’valeba ghameni natevi

Shemekho chemia eg brolis mk’lavebi

/Ank’ara ts’qaro khar kvishashi nazhuri

Chems ts’ilad gazrdilo ra bedi gkonia/

Shevkhari bunebas qvavilebs balakhebs

Ipni khar eg ts’eli lerts’ami mgonia

/Ank’ara ts’qaro khar kvishashi nazhuri

Chems ts’ilad gazrdilo ra bedi gkonia/

Translation:

Woman, My Life

Woman, my life, you who burns my heart

With fingers hewn from crystal

You are mine; I hold this jug by the handle

You can no longer leave me, for what fate do you have?

Your torment at the blackboard, your sleepless nights

Your crystal hands touched me

Like pure spring water in the sand

My fraction, my student - What fate do you have?
 

Nature makes me happy, the flowers and the grass

You are an ash tree, slender as a reed

Like pure spring water in the sand

My fraction, my student - What fate do you have?

Kalav, Brdzolis Ts’in Gikhile

(scroll down for English translation)

Kalav, brdzolis ts’in gikhile

Shamamemat’a imedi

Erti atze verk’inebi

Tu k’i shen gamighimebdi

Sik’vdilsats arad chavagdeb

Tu k’i shen damit’irebdi

Eg sheni shavi dalalni

Dats’nuli saro mgonia

Shenebr sad ari sit’urpe

Am kveqnad monagonia

Shentvis daghup’ul vazhk’atssa

Tavi mdzinare mgonia

He he he he he

/Shentvis daghup’ul vazhk’atssa

Tavi mdzinare mgonia/

Vazhk’atssa guli rk’inisa

Kalis sit’urpe parada

Khelt unda hkondes makhvili

Mteli almasis darada

Shengan naksovi mandili

Mt’risagan damiparavda

Kalau shenma tolebma

Shamamik’ides alia

Am gulshi tsetskhls ver chaakrob

Vit darialis ts’qalia

Tu k’i ushenod vera vdzleb

Ra vkna ra chemi bralia

He he he he he

/Tu k’i ushenod vera vdzleb

Ra vkna ra chemi bralia/

Translation:

Woman, I Saw You Before The War

Woman, I saw you before the war

And it gave me hope

I could fight against ten men

If you were smiling at me

I could disregard even death

If you would cry for me

That black braid of yours

Reminds me of a cypress

Where else can one find beauty like yours -

In this world it is ficticious

For you, a dead brave man

Seems to be sleeping only

The iron heart of a courageous man

With a woman’s beauty as his shield

He should have a sword

Of diamonds in his hand

Your knitted headscarf

Saved me from the enemy

Woman, your eyes

Lit a flame in me

All the water from Darial¹

Couldn’t quell the fire in my heart

Is it my fault? What can I do

If I can’t live without you?

¹In Khevi the Darial Pass (1,450 meters) is one of the most important historical passes in the Caucasus that connects Vladikavkaz in Russia to Georgia’s capital, Tbilisi.  Within the gorge flows the Tergi River.

Kalebs Gauprtkhildit K’atsebo

(scroll down for English translation)

Kalebs gauprtkhildit k’atsebo da

Guli piandazad gaushalet

/Shublze gachenili naoch’ebi

Nazi moperebit ts’aushalet/

Kalebs shvlis nu k’rivit mouare

Marili khelis gulze mouqaret

/Kalebs daulotset kaloba da

Baghis qvavilivit mouaret/

Torem sul skhva aris kalis dzala

Kali atas javrad gadagaktsevs

/Kali agat’irebs dagachokebs

Ts’amo gaqenebs da k’atsad gaktsevs/

K’atebsats gauprtkhildit kalebo da

Guli piandazad gaushalet

/Shublze gachenili naoch’ebi

Matats moperebit ts’aushalet/

Torem sul skhva aris k’atsis dzala

Is skhvastan ts’ava, migat’ovebs

/Is shentan aghar dabrundeba

Shen k’i tmebshi tetrad chagatovebs/

Ho da ai amas gevedrebit

Kalebo da k’atsebo genatsvale

/Shublze gachenili naoch’ebi

Erturts moperebit ts’aushalet/

Translation:

Men and Women,

Be Careful With One Another

Men, be careful with women

Give your hearts to them

If their foreheads have wrinkles,

Erase them with your caresses

Sparring like deer is not how to nurture women

Pour salt on their palms

Glory to women and their womanhood

Care for them like garden flowers

A woman’s power is something different

She will anger you

She will make you cry, make you get down on your knees

And then she will turn you into a real man once again

Women, be careful with men too

Give your hearts to them

If their foreheads have wrinkles,

Erase them with your caresses

Because a man’s power is something different

He will leave you for another woman

He will never return to you

And your hair will turn gray

So, I beg this of you:

Men and women, genatvale¹

Those wrinkles, born on your foreheads --

Erase them with caresses

¹Literally me instead of you, or "let me handle your pain for you," genatsvale  is used as a term of endearment.

Kali Keria Bechavi

(scroll down for English translation)

Kali keria bechavi

Sidam ra daiteseba

Visim ra sakhlshi sheva da

Vis k’eras aazhgherebsa

Vis ezosiad iktseva

Da mis bans daamshvenebsa

Visim ra varsk’vlav iktseva

Vistvis itsis k’rebs dilita

Vis ezos aamzianebs

Chit’ebis zhghara-zhghirita

Kali keria bechavi

Sidam ra daiteseba

Translation:

Woman, As Poor As Barley

Woman, as poor as barley

Where will she be sowed?
 

Whose house will she enter?

To whose heart will she bring joy?

Whose garden and roof

Will she make beautiful?

Whose star will she be?

Who will she wake for in the morning?

To whose yard will she bring sunshine

And the sound of singing birds?

Woman, as poor as barley

Where will she be sowed?

Kali Var Maghla Gazrdili

(scroll down for English translation)

Kali var maghla gazrdili

Vin chamamiqvans barada

Vinats vazhk’atsi ar mamts’ons

Vin momats’onebs dzalada

Ar mamts’ons aisetai

Ar giqvars tvala t’anada

Ras ushvels silamazei

Khakhln uqurebda kalada

Me momts’ons eget vazhk’atsi

Pkhizels khedavda mtvralada

Sts’orebm sharobai dauts’qan

Vazhi ch’k’vit shaishalasa

Ch’reli shiukhlis khanjari

Siskhlebshi maisvarasa

Tskhovrebai ar maigonavs

Dro maints gait’anasa

Translation:

I Am a Woman Raised In High Places

I am the woman raised up in mountains

Who can bring me down from here?

I do not like any young man

And no one can force me to like any!

You do not like anyone?

Is there anything to make you look around?

Is there anything that would attract your beauty?

Anything that would catch your eye?

I like the young man

Who does not lose his mind even when drunk

Who does not lose his good standing

I like the young man

Who is smart and wise

Who carries his sword

That has been covered in blood

Who will be able to sacrifice his life

At any time without hesitation.

Kalma Damts’qevla Lamazma

Text: Galaktion Tabidze

(scroll down for English translation)

Kalma damts’qevla lamazma

Mkhurvale lalis bageti

/Ertma ver mitkhra atasma

Ra davashave ageti

Aralali da ra davashave ageti da/

Magram am ghmertma rogorts tkva

/Guli siamit danama/

Tu vinmem guli momik’la

Iseve imis danama

/Iseve imis danama da

Tu vinmem guli momik’la

Aralali da iseve imis danama da/

Menat’reba eg khma t’k’bili

/Sad ar damdevs misi chrdili/

Miqvars mag khmis gagoneba

Ver ts’avshale magondeba

Ver ts’avshale magondeba da

/Miqvars mag khmis gagoneba

Ver ts’avshale magondeba

Aralali da ver ts’avshale magondeba da/

/Aralali da ver ts’avshale magondeba da/

Translation:

A Beautiful Woman Cursed Me

Text: Galaktion Tabidze

A beautiful woman cursed me

With her hot lips

Though no one can tell me

What I have done

Was is my fault?

But as God said,

If someone has killed my heart

With his knife

The act was kind 

I miss that sweet voice

Her shadow follows me everywhere

I love hearing that voice

I can’t erase it

I will remember it

Kalo, Kalta Mzeo

(scroll down for English translation)

Kalo, kalta mzeo                               

Gitsnob ati tveo                                

Metertmet’e damibenele                

Ts’uti gakhda dgheo                        

Kalo kaltamzeo                                 

Am chems sakhezeo,                        

Karagmai ts’aik’itkhe                       

Mauts’qe rigzeo                                

Kalo kaltamzeo                                 

Gaminate dgheo                               

Shekhvedra nu damizamtre,                      

Nu gamkhade t’qveo                                   

Kalo, kaltamzeo                                

Chemi grdznobis t’qveo                  

Rom mogik’vde rasai pikrob           

Saikiozeo                                           

Kalo, kaltamzeo                                

Khedav gavkhdi bzeo                      

Karma, rom shemomikrolos            

Amisvris banzeo

Kalo, kaltamzeo

Gitsnob ati tveo,

Metertmet’es nu gaiqvan

Mamidek gverdzeo

Translation:

Woman, Sun woman

I'd known you for ten months

When on the eleventh, my world became dark

A minute became a day

Woman, Sun woman

Light up the day

Don’t make our meeting feel like winter

Don’t make a captive out of me

Woman, Sun woman

Prisoner of my feelings
If I were to die for you,

What would you think of the afterlife?

Woman, Sun woman

I'll turn into the shell of a seed

The wind will blow me

Across the rooftops

Woman, Sun woman

I’d known you for ten months

When on the eleventh my world became dark

A minute become a day.

Kalo Khalebit Nakargo        

Text & Music: Maqvala Ts'ik'lauri                                             

(scroll down for English translation)

Kalo khalebit nakargo                                                  

Ch’iamaias darada                                                      

Tser margalit’ebs nu pant’av                                        

Bedi mogadga k’arada                                                 

K’i ar dakhval dagogomanob                                        

Tma gighelavs rogorts qana                                          

Venatsvale me shen gamchens                                      

Vints am kveqnad mogiqvana                                       

Net’avi chemi gagkhada

Ar damt’ovebde tsalada

Nu gamkhdi bedit dachagruls

Martla korbudas darada

Ho da shen t’k’bilad idzine

Me unda ghame vateno

Shen chemo ubraloebav

Shen chemo bedis santelo

Translation:

Woman, embroidered with beauty marks

Like a ladybug

Don't throw away your pearls

Luck has come knocking at your door

Don't come with heavy steps, come on tiptoes

Your hair waves like a cornfield

Blessings on the person who birthed you,

The one who brought you into this world

I wish you were mine

Don't leave me alone

Don't give me unfortunate fate

Don't leave me like a stag, companionless

And you sleep sweetly

I know I won't sleep all night long

You, my simplicity

You, candle of my soul                           

Kalo, Gulkalo

(Scroll down for English translation)

Kalo gulkalo guls medeba gelia

Otsdaerti ts’lis ts’in tetri gamogeria

Bich’o lamazo ra gats’ukhebs net’avi

Utskho prinvelivit rad khar gaubedavi

Mkhari mkhars, guli guls, ts’in ts’avidet gmirulad

Vadidot samshoblo, vit mamulishvilurad

Ra t’urpa qopilkhar, vit mdzinare lamazo

Shenma brolis qelma siqvarulit amavso

Khatristvis bich’ao udardelo mtsinara

Siqvaruls ver shesdzlebs, shenistana mdzinara

Mkhari mkhars, guli guls

Ts’in ts’avidet gmirulad

Vadidot samshoblo, vit mamulishvilurad

Translation:

Woman of My Heart

(boy)

Woman of my heart, I wait for you

Twenty-one years ago your hair went white
 

(girl)

Handsome boy, what’s bothering you?

Why are you acting like a strange bird?
 

(together)

Shoulder to shoulder, heart to heart

Let’s move forward like heroes

In praise of the homeland

(boy)

You’ve been so pretty asleep, my beautiful

Your crystal neck fills me with love

(girl)

Out of respect boy, light-hearted and laughing one

Love isn’t possible for a sleepyhead like you!

(together)

Shoulder to shoulder, heart to heart,

Let’s move forward like heroes

In praise of the homeland

Kalo, Vardis Taiguls Daedarebi

Kalo vardis taiguls daedarebi

Midikhar da tskho ch’abuk’ebs ar ek’arebi

Da gaukhseni siqvarulsa gulis k’arebi

Gaukrole da gashale brolis mk’lavebi

Translation:

You Are Like a Bouquet of Roses
 

Woman, you are like a bouquet of roses

Go, but don’t touch the unfamiliar boys!

Open the door of your heart to love

Hurry and spread out your crystal arms

Kalo, Vin Mogtsa Mshveneba

(scroll down for English translation)

(boy)

Kalo, vin mogtsa mshveneba

Mag shukur varsk’vlavisao

Nakhvas nu damigvianeb

Damt’irebulo dzmisao

(girl)

Net’avi damits’unebde

Danamebebde tavsao

Vivlidi lashar ghelesa

Vazhebs vavlebdi tvalsao

(boy)

A-kalo, mdzivi ra mdzivi

Satmeurisa minao

(girl)

Ar minda sheni ch’irime

Mijavrdebian shinao

(boy)

Shorit varsk’vlavis sadaro

Akhlos mjobnelo mtvarisa

Kalo rodemdi gat’aro

Otsnebad gulis darisa

(girl)

Ra genaghvleba ikrolos

Zena karma da kvenama

Egeba ertad shegvqaros

Chvenma bedma da ts’erama

Translation:

Woman, Who Gave You Such Beauty?

(boy)

Woman, who gave you such beauty?

You shine like a beacon!

Please don’t be late to visit me

I am mourning my brother

(girl)

I wish you didn’t like me

And would leave me alone

I'll go instead to Lashari's shrine¹

To look at the boys
 

(boy) 

Ah woman, you are such a jewel 

Your hair is so shiny

(girl)

Oh but I don't want it, my darling

For at home they are against it
 

(boy)

Far away is where the stars are

But close is better, that's where the moon is

Woman, how long should I

Carry you as a dream in my heart?
 

(girl)

How melancholy gusts 

This powerful wind from the west

Maybe it shall blow us into each other

If that is our fate and fortune

¹Also referred to as Lashari's Cross, a sanctuary to Saint George of Lashari.  Located in the northeast highland of Pshavi and famous throughout Georgia, the mountaintop shrine used to be the political and religious center for Pshavs.  The festivals of Lasharoba and Tamaroba (the latter referring to Lashari's sister shrine at Tamar-Ghele) are still celebrated every July in Pshavi.  It is worth noting that historically these summertime festivals also served as meeting places for young men and women who came from all valleys and mountains of eastern Georgia, which is why it is mentioned in love songs such as this one. 

In his publication The Political Symbolism of the Mid-Summer Festival in Pshavi (Northeast Georgian Highland), Then and Now Kevin Tuite says of Lashari and Tamar, "These supernatural siblings take their names from historical personages who were, in fact, mother and son: Queen Tamar (reigned 1184-1215) and her son and successor George IV, known as Lashar Giorgi (reigned 1215-1222)."

Kals Erti Unda Uqvardes 

(scroll down for English translation)

Kals erti unda uqvardes

Da ara mteli parao

/Mets erti miqvars am kveqnad

Miqvars da artsa vmalao/

Shen damit’ire lamazo

Sheni shavisa tvalita

/Tu vera gnakhav davdnebi

Rogorts mtis tovli namita/

Dilit mze amosuiqo

Shen amousts’ar ts’inao

/Tu chemi ndoba ara gakvs

Net’avi matsodinao/

Kals erti unda uqvardes

Da ara mteli parao

Translation:

A Woman Shall Love Only One

A woman shall love only one

And not the entire flock

I also love only one in this world

I love him and I'm not hiding it

Cry for me, beautiful

With your black eyes

If I can’t see you, I'll melt

Like the snow on the mountain

In the morning the sun came

But you exceeded it

I wish to know

If you will have faith in me

A woman shall love only one

And not the entire flock

K’ap’ita’ni Bukhaidze

(scroll down for English translation)

Me kartveli bukhaidze,

Kavkavsis mtebshi vts’evar

Rom shemedzlos saplavidan

Dzmebo mkhrebis ts’amots’eva

Ar vushvebdi darialtan

Gaaptrebul qvitel gvelebs

/Me saplavshi k’i ara vts’evar

Ak darajad damaqenes/

Me sitsotskhles khelmeored

Shevts’iravdi mshobel mkhares,

/Shevts’iravdi imav mits’as,

Dghes rom gulze damaqares/

Vints damkhedot, gadaetsit

Sakartvelos mtebs da velebs

/Rom misi dze, bukhaidze

Aka vzhlet’di siskhlis msmelebs/

Da vubareb qvela kartvels:

Misi ts’minda vali ari -

/Mok’vdes, magram mk’erdit shehk’ras

Derbent’i da dariali/

Translation:

This translation comes from Venera Urushadze's 1958 Anthology of Georgian Poetry. Read more in the About Song section.

Captain Bukhaidze

I am a Georgian, named Bukhaidze,

Buried upon a mountain high.

Could I but rise again, my brothers

From the dark grave wherein I lie!

I am no more, for I am dead,

But gladly would I sacrifice

My life once more for that sweet earth

That now upon my bosom lies. 

Tell Georgia's spreading fields of green,

Snow-covered peaks and azure sky

That here, on Balkhareti¹ mount

Bukhaidze crushed the enemy. 

I barred the Pass of Dariel,²

Struck down the serpents with this hand.

Then I fell dead. But no! I live!

I live, and guard my motherland! 

Georgians! your duty is to serve

Your land and for her rights to brave

All woes! The glory of dying

For Georgia illumines the grave!

(Tsutisopeli has added the following footnotes:)

¹Today it is called the Kaberdino-Balkar Republic. It is a federal subject of Russia in the North Caucasus.

²The Darial Pass in Khevi, Georgia (1,450 meters) is the historical pass of the central Caucasus that connects Vladikavkaz in Russia to Tbilisi, Georgia’s capital. 

Karapis P’ir-p’ir

Karapis p’ir-p’ir nu mikhval         

Uetsrad gadavardebi                       

Shen khom iseti k’argi khar           

Upsk’rulsats sheuqvardebi            

Translation:

Don’t walk on the edge of the steep mountain           

You will fall off all of a sudden

You are so good

Even the abyss will fall in love with you

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’argi Kali Var

(scroll down for English translation)

Shena vtkvi k’argi kali var,                 

Ara var sadzrakhiani,                          

Shengan ra metkva sadzrakhi,        

Dghemts dagibnela mziani.               

Eg sheni sakhlits ikneba                   

Sul mudam sat’irliani,                      

Eg sakhlits okhrad dagrcheba

Ivli ver balk’omiani

Nandomi tsolits mogik’lavs.

Udrood dach’lekebuli

Shvilebi ts’vrileb dagrcheba

Udrood daoblebuli.

Rad ambob int’eresita

Rad ginda chemi ch’orebi,

Gulzdamts dagekhureba

Andarezais gorebi.

Shegagdo jojokhetshia

Asi dghe-ghame mbrdzoleli,

Gars gert’qas sulis jaria,

Khelshi ek’aos nemsebi.

Dagimat’ebdnen imdensa,

Ramdensats daik’vnesebdi.

Translation:

I Am A Good Woman

I said I am a good woman

I am not blameworthy

What do you have to blame me for?

May all of your sunny days darken

May your house always be abandoned

Full of tears, with no one to inherit it

And may you walk away,

Leaving a house without a balcony

You have killed the wife you wanted 

Because she had tuberculosis at a young age

You are left with many children

Orphaned far too early

Why are you interested in

Gossiping about me?

The hills of Andareza      

Will fall on your heart.

May you fall into Hell     

For one hundred days and nights

And around you be an army of souls

Holding needles in their hands       

Jabbing you with one more  

Each time you moan

Karisagana Gadmot’anilo Velzeda

(scroll down for English translation)

O ho ho karisagana

Gadmot’anilo velzeda

/Shen magondebi kalau

Ramdeni dilats tendeba/

Shen siqvarulis kar-tsetskhlo

Dammonebelo sulisa

/Shen tsetskhlis mamk’idebulo

Damts’velo chemis gulisa/

Chemi tskhovrebis imedo

Chemo mzev, chemo mtvareo

/Ra sats’amlavi mach’ame

Tavi rom shemaqvareo/

Qvela laghebshi ch’irime

Mirchvenis sheni tavio

/Gaghmidan gadmomdzakhode

Viknebi sheni kmario/

Kheli mamk’ida gavqevi

Gadavvlet mta da bario

/Turme sizmarshi vqopilvar

Guls medeboda alio/

Translation:

Carried By the Wind

You are carried by the wind

Into the valley

I’ll remind you, woman

How many mornings will rise

Your love’s wind-fire

My soul is enslaved

Oppressed by the fire

My heart is burned

You are the hope of my life

My sun, my moon

What poison did you feed me

That has made me love you so much?

Of all of the freedoms, my darling

I prefer you

Call me from across the river

And I will be your husband

She took my hand and I followed

We crossed over the mountains and plains

It turned out I was in a dream

My heart was enflamed