Serbian Song Words
Compiled by Dick Oakes
Ajde Jano
Come on, Jana
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Ajde Jano, kolo da igramo. / Ajde Jano, 'ajde dušo, kolo da igramo. / Ajde Jano, konja da podramo. / Ajde Jano, 'ajde dušo, konja da prodamo. / Ajde Jano, kuću da prodamo. / Ajde Jano, 'ajde dušo, kuću da prodamo. / Da prodamo, samo da igramo. / Da prodamo, Jano dušo, samo da igramo. / |
Come on, Jana, let's dance the kolo.
Come on, Jana, let's sell the horse. Come on, Jana, let's sell the house. We'll sell them just so we can dance. |
Ajde Lepa Maro
Hey pretty Mary
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/ Ajde lepa Maro gospodar te zove, / / Ja ne mogu doći kolo ostaviti. / / Ajde lepa Maro, gospodar je gladan, / / Hleba u ormanu, a nož u astalu. / / Ajde lepa Maro gospodar je žedan, / / Voda u bunaru, čuša na ormanu. / / Ajde lepa Maro gospodar je bolan, / / Ja ne mogu doći, kolo ostaviti. / |
Hey, pretty Mary, the master calls thee! I can't come, and leave the kolo. Hey, pretty Mary, the master's hungry! Bread's in the cupboard; the knife's in the drawer Hey, pretty Mary, the mastr's thirsty! Water's in teh well; the glass is in the cupboard. Hey, pretty Mary, the master's sick! I cant come, and leave the kolo. |
Bela Rada
Fair Rada
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/ Ide dika so oranja Bela Rada sa Kopanja. / / Hej, Rado, bela Rado Daj da ljubim lice mlado. / |
A boy was going home from plowing. Fair Rada was working in the fields. Hey, Rada, fair Rada, Let me kiss your young face. |
Bibersko Kolo
Pepper dance
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Da vam ka, da vam kažem, braćo moja, braćo moja. Ovako, ovako se biber tuče, biber tuče. |
To tell you to, my brothers. Thus, like the pepper beats. |
Četiri u Krst
Four in a cross
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Pokaj, kito, pokaj mori Da ne se udavis mori Da ne se udavis i! Ako se udavim mori Što žalba za mene mori Što žalba za mene i! Ja ne žalim tebe mori Nego ruse kose mori Nego ruse kose i! |
Repent, Kito, repent Mori. Do not be afraid Mori, Do not be afraid as well! If you drown Mori, What appealed to me Mori, What appealed to me as well! I do not feel sorry for you, Mori, But torments Russians and the hair But torments Russians and the hair as well! |
Čuješ Mala
I hear
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/ Čuješ, Čuješ, Čuješ mala dosta si varala, / Dosta si varala. / Neznaš, neznaš, neznaš mala što si obećala? / Sto si obećala? / Čuješ, Čuješ, Čuješ seko, namesti se lepo, / Nemesti se lepo. / Voliš, voliš, voliš bato ala ljubi slatko, / Ala ljubi slatko. / Hoću, hoću, hoću diko gde ne vidi niko, / Gde ne vidi niko. / Čuješ, Čuješ, Čuješ mala bil poljabac dala? / Bil poljabac dala? / Dala, dala, dala biti srce iz njedara, / Srce iz njedara. / Uzmi, uzmi, uzmi mene ne plaši se žene, / Ne plaši se žene. |
I hear a lot of you cheated. A lot of you cheated. Do you not know you promised? As you promised? I hear her sister Namesti is nice; Namesti, be nice. Do you love sweet Ala? Ala loves sweetly. I want Diko where no one sees; Where no one sees. Did I hear a little field goal percentage was made? Bill the field goal percentage? She gave her heart from the bosom, Her heart from the bosom. Take me and do not be afraid of women, Do not be afraid of women. |
Fatiše Kolo
(The Vranje girls) joined hands in the circle
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/ Fatiše kolo Vranjske devojke. / / Vranjske devojke na tu Vranjsku češmu. / / Na čelu kola, Živkova Taša. / / Živkova Taša, lepotica naša. / / Fatiše kolo Vranjske devojke. / / Vranjske devojke na tu Vranjsku češmu. / |
The girls of Vranje joined hands in a circle, The girls of Vranje, at the Vranje well. At the head of the circle, Čičko's (daughter) Taša, Čičko's Taša, our beauty. The girls of Vranje joined hands in a circle, The girls of Vranje, at the Vranje well. |
Kato mi Kato
Kato, my Kato
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/ Kato mi Kato, moje suvo zlato / Poljubi me Angelina, nek je čudo svima Jedan dva, jedan dva, jedan ju. / Katu da prosim dukate joj nosim / Poljubi me Angelina, nek je čudo svima Jedan dva, jedan dva, jedan ju. |
Kato, my Kato, my pure gold. Angelina kissed me, and let me have its wonder. One two, one two, one to her. Upstairs to beg her to carry coins. Angelina kissed me, and let me have its wonder. One two, one two, one to her. |
Kokonješte (Kukunješće)
From the Romanian word "coconeşte" meaning "in the style of a young nobleman."
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Stara baba stara je, Kad se ljubi mlada je! Tebe babo voleću, Od ljubavi Umredću! Cura gazi baricu Uvatila žabicu! U Osijeku ćuprija; Tri se stup prebila! |
An old woman is old, But when she makes love, she's young! Old woman, I'll love you, I'll die of love for you! A girl stepped in a puddle And caught a little frog. There's a bridge in Osijek; Three of its supports (piers) are broken. |
Logovac
The spare horse
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/ Teraj, kume, logova, Preko toga korova; / Daleko je Mitrovica, Gde se kuva kiselica, Još je dalje Sent-Ivan, Gde se ljube svaki dan! / Metla nogu na potegu, Pa sve viče: "Neću!" / / Pa na kuma namiguje, Pa se kola kreću. / / Jeli, kćeri, jel' to taj, Hulja i bećar? / / Jeste, majko, to je taj, Al' nije bećar! / |
Best man, drive the spare horse Over the weedy fields. It's far to Mitrovica, Where they make sour wine, And further still to Sent-Ivan, Where they make love every day! The bride put her foot up on the footboard And shouted, "I don't want to!" Then she winked at the best man To get the wagon going. Tell me, daughter, is he the one (The good-for-nothing rascal). Yes, mother, he's the one, But he's not a carefree, good-for-nothing unemployed young man! |
Makedonka
Macedonian girl
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/ Oj ti devojko, ti Makedonko, Lepa si meni ti. / Chorus: / Za tvoje ŏci čarne dao bi život Oj Makedonko ti. / / Igraj mi mala, igraj mi kolo, Pa se ti veseli. / Chorus / Oj ti devojko, oj ti plavojko, Lepo mi igraš ti. / Chorus |
Oh, you maiden, you Macedonian girl, You look beautiful to me. Chorus: For your dark eyes I'd give my life, Oh, you Macedonian girl. Dance, little girl, dance the kolo, And be happy. Chorus Oh, you maiden, oh, you cloud, You dance nicely for me. Chorus |
Malo Ja Malo Ti (Slavjanka)
A little from me, a little from you (Woman who celebrates her name day)
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/ Haj, malo ja, malo ti, malo ja, pa ćemo se frajlice, opet voleti. / / Haj, uba, uba, uba, uba, ubava, uba, uba, ubava, curo garava. / / Haj, grli me, ljubi me, grli me, i u bari vodi me gde mi sve. / / Haj, neka, neka, neka, neka, nek se zna, neka, neka, nek se zna, da te ljubim ja. / / Haj, grli me, ljubi me, grli me, i u krevet baci me, pa radi sto znaš. / / Haj, uba, uba, uba, uba, ubava, uba, uba, ubava, curo garava. / |
Oh, a little from me, a little from you, That way, frölein, we will like each other again. Oh, . . ., brunette girl. Oh, caress me, kiss me, hug me, take me to the bar for everything. Oh, . . ., let it be known that I love you. Oh, hug me, kiss me, hug me, throw me in bed, and do what you know best. Oh, . . ., brunette girl. |
Neda Grivne
Neda's rings
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Neda grivne izgubila.
Chorus: A oj Nedo, moje čedo belo Moje čedo belo. Kaludjera potorila. Chorus Ti si meni grivne naš'o. Chorus Mani me se, vrag te naš'o. Chorus Nisam ti ih ni video. Chorus |
Neda lost her rings.
Chorus: And our Nedo, my white child, My white child. You are like a monk. Chorus You are my rings Neda. Chorus We are flawed, the devil and Neda. Chorus I did not even see you had them. |
Niška Banja
Baths of Niš
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/ Niška Banja topla voda za mangupe život zgoda. /
/ Niška Banja ti si kriva što me žena ostavila. / / Mi Cigany meraklije ne možemo bez rakije. / / Bez rakije, život ide i bez mlade Cigančice . . . / / Jedan, dva, tri, četir, pet, šest, sedam, osam, devet, deset. / Deset, devet, osam, sedam, šest, pet, četir, tri, dva, jedan. Deset, devet, osam, sedam, šest, pet, četir, tri, dva, nula! Duj, duj, duj, duj, ti ne luduj, tebe dragi pamet mući. Ostavila, ti si kriva što me žena ostavila. |
Niska Banja, hot water for a rascal's life.
Niska Banja, it's your fault my wife left me. We Gypsys can not live without brandy. No spirits, life goes without a young Gypsy girl. . . One, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine, ten. Ten, nine, eight, seven, six, five, four, three, two, one. Ten, nine, eight, seven, six, five, four, three, two, zero! Duj, do not lose it. You dear are plaguing my mind. You're to blame that my wife left me. |
Potam Povam
Come here, go away
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/ Potam, povam Stojane, Stojane, / / Ne kaljaj mi kondure, kondure. / / Momče mi gi kupilo, kupilo, / / Još gi nije platilo, platilo. / / Skupo su se hvatile, hvatile, / / Za dva do tri dukata, dukata. / |
Come here, go away Stojanay, Don't dirty my shoes. Guys, we bought them, Not yet has he paid for them. They were expensive they said, From two to three gold coins. |
Rokoko Kolo
Fancy girl's circle dance
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Oj, divojko rokoko, Ne ljubi te makar ko? Ne ljubi te makar ko, Oj, divojko rokoko? Oj, divojko rokoko, Ne ljubi te makar ko? Mene ljubi momak mlad, Crna oka, golobrad. Oj, divojko rokoko, Ljubi l' tebe još i ko? Mene ljubi oficir, Provog reda granatir. Oj, divojko rokoko, Poljubi me u oko, Ja ću tebe u čelo, Pa će biti veselo. Turčin šerbet da pije, Srbin piue rakije, A švabica gracerbir, Pa ti kaže: "Gib mir hir!" |
Hey, fancy girl, Does anybody love you? Does anybody love you, Hey, fancy girl? Hey, fancy girl, Does anybody love you? A young fellow loves me, He has dark eyes and no beard. Hey, fancy girl, Does anybody else love you? An officer loves me, He's a first-class grenadier. Hey, fancy girl, Kiss me on the eye, I'll kiss you on the forehead, And we'll have a good time. The Turk drinks sherbet, The Serb drinks rakija [brandy], The German girl drinks beer from Graz [Austria], And tells you, "Give me that! [German for "Give me here!]" |
Šano Dušo (Vranjanka)
Šana dear (A girl from Vranje)
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/ Šano dušo, Šano mori, otvori mi vrata. / Otvori mi, Šano, vrata, da ti dam dukata. Chorus: Oj le le le le le, izgore za tebe, Izgore mi, Šano, srce za tebe. / Noć li hodi, divna Šano, ja si tuga vijem. / Ubavinja tvoja, Šano, ne da mi da spijem. Chorus / Tvoje lice belo, Šano, sneg je sa planino. / Tvoje čelo gidi, Šano, kako mesešine. Chorus / Ona usta tvoje, Šano, kako rujne zore. / Ono oko, dušo moja, mene me izgore. |
Šana, dear Šana, open the door for me. Open for me, Šana and I will give you coins (engagement money). Chorus: Oh, la la la la, burning for you. Burning, Šana, is my heart. When night comes, marvelous Šana, I twist in sadness. Your beauty, Šana, will not let me sleep. Chorus Your fair face, Šana, is snow from the mountains. Your forehead, Šana, is like moonlight. Chorus That mouth of yours, Šana, like a deep red sunset. That eye, my darling makes me burn |
Sarajevka
From Sarajevo, Bosnia
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Igra vito kolo, u kolo lepi Jovo Propeva slatko, veselo. Cupni lagana, curo dragana, Biće dva, tri poljubica. Četir, pet, biće i deset. Lljubi mene, lepi Jovo za navek. Llubiću te, mazo, Sarajevko devojko, Neka se čuje daleko. |
The kolo line spins; in the kolo, Handsome Jovo sings sweetly, joyfully. Hop lightly, dear girl, There will be two, three kisses. Four, five, and maybe ten! Kiss me, handsome Jovo, forever. I'll kiss you, lovable girl from Sarajevo, Let it be heard afar. |
Savila se Bela Loza
The white wine grapevine
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Savila se bela loza vinova, //Uz tarabu vinova.// Chorus: / Todor Todi podvalio, Tri put curu poljubio. / To ne beše bela loza vinova, / Uz tarabu vinova. / Chorus Već to beše dvoje mili i dragi, / Dvoje mili i dragi. / |
The white wine grapevine wound around the fence.
Chorus: Todor tricked Toda, kissed the girl three times. That was not the fair grapvine around the fence. Chorus Rather, that was two lovers, two lovers. |
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Seljančica
Village girl
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/ Seljančice malena ko ti kuću čuva. / Nekad mama. Nekad tata. Nekad mama, nekad tata, onajviše sama! / Kad se cigo zaželi pečenih kola7#269;a, On pošalje ciganku da po selu vrač. Chorus: Grmi, sjeva, Vrijeme se jijenja // A ciganke vrosanke još iz sela nema. // Ka se cigo zaželi sira i krumpira, On pošalje ciganku da po selu svira. Chorus: |
Village girl, who is home? Not mama. Not papa. Not mama, not papa, only me! When the gypsy wishes hot cookies He sends his wife to tell fortunes in the village. Chorus: Thunder, lightning, The weather is changing And the gypsy women haven't returned from the village. When the gypsy wishes cheese and potatoes, He sends his wife to play her tambourine in the village. Chorus: |
Serbian Medley I
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Jelke, Tavničarke / Jelke, tavničke, ostavi tavnicu, / / Ostavi tavnicu mladom tavničaru, / / 'Ajde, da igramo, 'ajde, da pevamo! / Poskok / 'Ajd' povedi veselo, naše kolo sareno! / / Momci, cure, u kolo! Nek! Se ori veselo! / Ti Momo Ti momo, ti devojko, ti moga brata mamis, Na tvoje belo lice, Na tvoje čarne oči. Sam se je prevario, na moje belo lice, Na moje čarne oči, na joja medna usta. Đurđevka Oj devojko, dušo moja, šta govori majka tvoja? Ođe l' tebe meni dati? Ođe l' mene zetom zvati? Ne da mene moja nana, ne da još godinu dana. Neđe mene tebi dati. Neđe tebe zetom zvati. / Oli dala il' ne dala, ti se moja uvek zvala! / Igrale se Delije / Igrale se delije, nasred zemle Srbije. / Chorus: / Sitno kolo do kola, šulo se do Stambola. / / Svira frula iz fola, frula moga sokola. / Chorus / Igra kolo do kola, ne haje za Stambola. / Chorus Čačak (not sung) Oj, Lele, Stara Planino Oj, lele, stara planino, po teb' sam često hodio. Po teb' sam često hodio, s devojka' ovce čuvao. Šestorka (not sung) Moravac (U šest - not sung) |
Jelke, Tavničarke Jelka, jail matron Jelka, jail matron, leave it to the jailor. Leave it to the jailor, young jail matron. Come, let's dance. Poskok Gambol Come, lead our colorful kolo gayly. Boys, girls in the kolo, resound happily. Ti Momo Oh, My Young Girl Oh, my young girl, you are wooing my brother With your fair face, with your magic eyes. He fooled himself with my fair face, With my magic eyes, with my honey lips. Đurđevka Lilly of the valley Oh, girl, my darling, what does your mother say? Will she give you to me? Will she call me son-in-law? My mama won't give me. She won't for another year. She won't give me to you. She won't call you son-in-law. Whether she gave or not, You would always be mine. Igrale se Delije The heroes were dancing The heroes were dancing in the middle of Serbia. Chorus: One kolo after another heard all the way to įstanbul. The flute plays from the meadow, the flute of my falcon. Chorus Dance one kolo after another, the hell with įstanbul. Chorus Čačak (not sung) Dried mud Oj, Lele, Stara Planino Oh, lele, old mountain Oh, lele, old mountain, I have often walked. I often walked with a girl who kept sheep. Šestorka (not sung) Dance in six Moravac (U šest - not sung) Moravian |
Serbian Medley II (Pirot Medley)
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Što me Omilelo / Što mi omilelo, nane, što me omilelo, Pirotskoto pole, nane, pirotska momčeta. / O-o! I-i! I-ju! Pošla Rumena / Pošla Rumena, nane, rano na vodu. / / Oj le le lele, rano na vodu. / / Rano na vodu, nane, pol ladovina. / Oj le le lele, po ladovina, Po ladovina, po mesečina. / Vodu da vadi, nane, grlo da ladi. / / Vodu de lije, lice da mije. / Lile lile (not sung) Piperana (no text) |
Što me Omilelo What has enchanted me? What has enchanted me, mama, The countryside of Pirot, mama, the boys of Pirot. Oh-oh! Ee-ee! Yuh! Pošla Rumena Rumena went out Rumena went out early for water. Early for water, in the morning darkness. In the morning darkness, in the moonlight, To dip up water to cool her throat. To pour water to wash her face. Lile lile (not sung) Lile, Lile (a girl's name) Piperana (no text) Related to the word "piper," meaning pepper |
Serbian Medley III (Du-Tam Medley)
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Vasino kolo / Kolo vodi Vasa, kolo se talasa. Vasa pred Dese, sve se kolo trese. / Na Marini seferini, a u Djoke zlatna toke. Divna, Divna / Divna, Divna, čarne oči ima. / / Da me hoče, da me hoče pogledati njima. / / Divna, Divna, bele ruke ima. / / Da me če, da me hoče zagrliti njima. / / Divna, Divna, medna usta ima. / / Da me če, da me hoče poljubiti njima. / |
Vasino kolo Vasa's dance Vasa is leading the kolo, and the kolo is bouncing. Vasa is next to Desa, and the whole kolo is shaking. Marina is wearing sovereigns (English coins), and Doka is wearing golden coins. Divna, Divna My beautiful one My beautiful one has dark eyes, May she use them to look at me. My beautiful one has fair arms. May she use them to embrace me. My beautiful one has honey lips. May she use them to kiss me. |
Serbian Medley IV (Prizren-Vranje Medley)
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Razgranjala Grana Jorgovana / Razgranjala grana jorgovana, / / Oj lane, Milane, grana forgovana. / / Pod njom sedi lepa Juliana, / / Oj, lane, Milane, lepa Juliana. / / Pred njome je đerđef od merdžana, / / Oj lane, Milane, đerđef od merdžana. / / Na đerđefu svilena marama, / / Oj lane, Milane, svilena marama. / / Na marami svakojaka svila, / / Oj lane, Milane, svila đumdulija. / Coko, Coko Crno Oko / Coko, coko, crno oko, crvena jabuko. / / Idi prašaj na majka ti 'oć li t dati. / / "Moja majka kuću dava, mene te ne dava." / / "A ja, a ja kuću neću, Tebe, dušo, 'oću." / |
Razgranjala Grana Jorgovana A lilac branch grew out A lilac branch grew out. Under it sits pretty Juliana. In front of her is an embroidery hoop of coral. On the hoop is a silk scarf. The scarf is embroidered in all kinds of threads. Coko, Coko Crno Oko Hey, dark eyes Hey darkeyes, red apple, Go ask your mother if she'll give you to me. My mother would give her house. She won't give me. But I don’t want her house, I want you, my darling. |
Šetnja
Walking
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/ Dodji, Mile, u naš kraj pa da vidiš šta je raj. / / Hej, haj, u naš kraj pa da vidiš šta je raj. / / Prodje, Mile, propeva i volove protera. / / Hej, haj, propeva i volove protera. / |
Mile, come through our village To see what paradise is like. As mile was passing, singing, Driving his oxen before him. |
Zaplet
Complication
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Desna noga kreče, // A levoj se neće. // Kruške, jabuke, groždje, // Mene voli Djordje. // Vino, rakija, piva, // Mene voli Ivo. // Kruške, jabuke, trešnje, // Samo volin tebe. // Kada Ćes mi doći, // Dragi u polnoći? // Oj curice mala, // Što sada dala? // Oj curice mala, // Što si obećala? // |
My right leg goes, My left won't. Pears, apples, grapes; Georgie likes me. Wine, brandy, beer; John likes me. Pears, apples, cherries; I love only you. When will you come, Dear, at midnight? Oh, little girl, What do you give now? Oh, you little girl, What do you promise? |
Žikino Kolo
Zika's dance
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Igrajmo deca, žikino kolo, //žikino kolo, // Ko nebi volo? |
Let's play children -- Zika's dance! Zika's dance, Volunteers? Who would not? |