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Didebai Ensemble was created in 1996 in St'epants’minda, a highland town in Khevi1 that sits beneath the stunning Trinity Church of Gergeti2 and the 5,033-meter-high Mount Qazbeg.
Under the directorship of Nutsa Piranishvili, three women lead the group: Manana Pitskhelauri, Eter Maisuradze and Pikria Khaik’ashvili.
The sixteen members come from many of the surrounding villages and meet twice a week to rehearse and exchange their knowledge of local and national folk songs.
1A highland in northeast Georgia. Read more about Khevi here.
2Built in the 14th century, the Holy Trinity Church sits at 2,170 meters high, beneath the glorious Mount Qazbeg.
Vin Shakhda Da Mqinvar Ts’verzeda
(scroll down for English translation)
Vin shakhda da mqinvar ts’verzeda
Vin shakhsna da rk’inis k’arebi
/Haralali hari haralo, Hari haralali Haralo/
Khmali var da khmalta bat’oni
Vakht’ang mepisa da nakoni
/Haralali hari haralo, Hari haralali Haralo/
Vin shakhda da mqinvar ts’verzeda
Vin shakhsna da rk’inis k’arebi
/Haralali hari haralo, Hari haralali Haralo/
Translation:
Who Met On The Glacier’s Peak?
Who met on the glacier’s peak?
Who opened the iron door?
I am a sword, the master of swords
I am the sword of King Vakht'ang
Who met on the glacier’s peak?
Who opened the iron door?
A healing song / lullaby from the highland of Khevi.
Iavnanas were traditionally sung in Georgia and throughout the Caucasus to ward off spirits, also called ''lords'' (bat'onebi), that brought sicknesses such as smallpox, measles and mumps to children.
The follow excerpt about the Iavnana is taken from page 125 of ''Violet on the Mountain: An Anthology of Georgian Folk Poetry,'' translated and edited by Kevin Tuite. It begins by speaking about the violet and the rose, two flowers that are frequently referenced in the Iavnana songs:
''Kot'et'ishvili notes that in a certain folk tale, the violet is associated with the 'queen of the underworld,' and the rose with its king. In both cases, the violet is linked with a woman and the rose with a man. The Western reader would never imagine that this charming lullaby, with its sumptuous images of satin, gold, and rubies, was addressed to the supernatural beings that the traditional Caucasians dreaded more than others. The word 'lords' (bat'onebi) is a euphemism for those contagious diseases, measles and smallpox, which until recently exacted a horrible toll of death and disfigurement among the children of the Caucasus.''
Mokheuri Iavnana
(scroll down for English translation)
Iavnane vardov nane
Iavnani neo
/Iam gashala vardebi
Iavnani neo/
Natli mtsemlis mamidasa
Iavnani neo
/Dzirs gavupen khalichasa
Iavnani neo/
Davugoreb okros k’oshk’sa
Iavnani neo
/Zed movupen ia-vardsa
Iavnani neo/
Iavnane vardov nane
Iavnani neo
/Iats shen khar,
vardits shen khar
Iavnani neo/
Translation:
Iavnana From Khevi
Iavnane my rose nane
Iavnani neo
The violet has bloomed
Iavnani neo
The godmother’s aunt
Iavnani neo
I will make a carpet on the floor
Iavnani neo
I will build her a gold tower
Iavnani neo
I will decorate it with violets and roses
Iavnani neo
Iavnana, my rose, nana
Iavnani neo
You are a violet
You are a rose
Iavnani neo
Gaprindi
Text: Shalva Arabuli
(scroll down for English translation)
Mivdivart gaghmidan gvighimis endzelai
Mivdivart daghest’nis utsnobi bilik’it
/Shen k’rtebi me k’i sul skhva dzala medzleva
Da albat sul male gadavalt p’irikit/
Mivdivart gvkhvdebian dek’a da kviani
Ar minda gzis bolom ertmanets gagvqaros
/Dghes rotsa shentan var mtebi mqav tavdebad
Merts’mune samotkhed mekhat’vis samqaro/
Da mere rodesats chavalt gzis bolomde
Shens euls gakhedav mag tvalta tsialit
/Me leksad gajakheb didi khnis molodins
da ts’aval khevsurets tskhvagvari t’rpialit/
Gaprindi am gulshi chamots’va avdari
Gaprindi am gulshi daghamda dabindda
/Gaprindi vitsi rom gzebi gakvs savali
Gaprindi da sheni gaprenats ar minda/
Translation:
Fly Away
We're going to the other shore
Where the snowdrops are smiling
We're going on an unknown Dagestani trail
You are startled but I've been given a greater strength
Soon, perhaps, we will pass over the border
We're traveling a rocky, rhododendron-covered path
I don't want the end of this road to separate us
But today you are with me and the mountains bear witness
The whole world seems a paradise to me
Later, when we reach the end of the road
Your sparkling eyes will look on your lone love
I'll recite all the beautiful poetry you have been waiting for
And with the strength of my love, I’ll go to Khevsureti
As you fly away, bad weather comes to this heart
As you fly away, night and darkness falls
Fly away, I know you have a long road ahead
Fly away, though how I wish you wouldn't fly away.
Didebai Ensemble sings two versions of this famous Georgian song. This version is the lesser-known variant.
Mokhevis Kalo Tinao
Mokhevis kalo tinao
Chemtan ts’amodi shinao
Sheni sts’orebi datkhovdnen
Shen ras uzikhar shinao
Vai didi mokhevis kalo
Ra lamazi rame kharo
Net’avi sheni alersi
Vin ginda rom gaakharo
Mokhevis kalo tinao
Chemtan ts’amodi shinao
Translation:
Tina, Woman From Khevi
Tina, woman from Khevi
Come inside my house
At your age all the others are married
So what are you sitting at home for?
You great Mokhevian woman!
You are so beautiful
I want your caresses
Who do you want to make happy?
Woman from Khevi, Tina
Come inside my house
Didebai Ensemble sings two versions of this famous Georgian song.
Mokhevis Kalo Tinao
Mokhevis kalo tinao
Chemtan ts’amodi shinao
Sheni sts’orebi datkhovdnen
Shen ras uzikhar shinao
Vai didi mokhevis kalo
Ra lamazi rame kharo
Net’avi sheni alersi
Vin ginda rom gaakharo
Mokhevis kalo tinao
Chemtan ts’amodi shinao
Translation:
Tina, Woman From Khevi
Tina, woman from Khevi
Come inside my house
At your age, all the others are married
So what are you sitting at home for?
You great Mokhevian woman!
You are so beautiful
I want your caresses
Who do you want to make happy?
Woman from Khevi, Tina
Come inside my house
This song is from the soundtrack of the film ''Uk’an Nask’meli Jvarosnebi.'' The music director for the film was Shalva Azmaiparashvili.
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
A joke song from Khevi.
Mokheuri Shairi
(scroll down for English translation)
Kalav egeti tetri khar
Rogorts saqdarshi k’irio
/Mamagondebi teoze
Ts’amovjdebi da vts’irio/
Tetri var tetrsa mindorsa
Tetrsa gavishli k’aravsa
/Me shengan dats’unebuli da
Qeims ar mivtsem salamsa/
Kalau sheni rai mamts’ons
Banaze gadmadgonao
/Ts’auqvanelsa gadagdeb
Movides shemodgomao/
Akedana da shenamde
Vardi gaskhia qelamde
/Net’ia k’i damidzakhebde da
Sul prenit moval shenamde/
Translation:
A Joke Song from Khevi
(boy)
Woman, you are as white
As the limestone of the church
When I am reminded of you often
I will need to sit down and cry
(girl)
I am white in the white field
I will set up a white tent
You have rejected me
You do not even say hello
(boy)
Woman, what do I like about you?
I am on the roof
Come autumn
I will capture you rather than take you as a wife
(girl)
From here to where you are
There are roses up to your neck
I wish you would just call me
And I will fly to you
This poem was set to song by Eter Maisuradze, one of the directors of Didebai Ensemble.
This text about the raven might be a reference to Vazha-Pshavela's essay Commemoration of the Dead and the Rites. Donald Rayfield in The Literature of Georgia: A History says the essay ''describes bullocks and sheep awaiting slaughter while men sing a mosagonari [a mourning song] 'I beg you ravens' in which the dead hero ironically commits his body to the carrion-eaters.'' The raven symbolizes a forewarning of devastation and death.
Bralia Shavo Qorano
Music: Eter Maisuradze
Bralia shavo qorano
Chemis leshita zdzghebode
Chakhvide ch’alas ibano
Maghla mukhebze sjdebode
Uts’iok’ebde dabla bars
Maghla mtas emukrebode
Memre ikneba t’ialo
Topis nishanze zsgebode
Translation:
It is Your fault, Black raven
It is your fault, black raven
That you ate my decaying flesh
Went down to the grove to bathe
And then sat high up in the oak trees
You caused trouble down in the fields
You threatened the high mountains
But then, raven
You are frightened by gunshots
A love song.
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.
This unrequited love song is based on a poem by Galak't’ion T’abidze, a much-loved Georgian poet of the 20th century.
Georgia’s State Ensemble Erisioni recorded this song.
Kalma Damts’qevla Lamazma
Text: Galak't'ion T'abidze
(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: Galak't'ion T’abidze
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
This poem was written by Shot’a Nishnianidze and arranged by Khvicha Arabuli, who performs it on this recording. Khvicha is a member of Didebai Ensemble and is from Juta Village, a Khevsur village in Khevi.
The song tells of three hundred men from the highlands of Pshavi, Khevsureti and Mtiuleti along the Aragvi River, who gathered together in 1795 and fought in the Battle of Krtsanisi against the invading Qajar Army. They pledged to fight until their death, and only a few returned home. Many famous Georgian authors have paid tribute to the men in their writings. In 2008 they were canonized as martyrs by the Georgian Orthodox Church.
To hear other versions of this song, visit the pages of Neli Bugechashvili and Babuli Jangirashvili.
Samasi Aragveli
Text: Shota Nishnianidze
Music: Khvicha Arabuli
(scroll down for English translation)
Hei sait midis mdumare lashkari
Siskhli abjarshi mjdari
/Aragvis t’ot’ivit damshrali
Pekh-kalamnianta jari/
Bat’oni ar hqavdat ertgulebs mepeta
Da lashkars medroshed vin udzghvis tavshi
/Samasmi arian da samas legendas
Natlis angelozi miudzghvis tsashi/
Mamulo egebis saplavshits pkhizloben
Larsharis, lomisis, gudanis qmebi
/Sheguebulni maradisobas
Rogorts karkashebs khmlebi/
Hei sait midis mdumare lashkari
Siskhli abjarshi
/Aragvis t’ot’ivit damshrali
Pekh-kalamnianta jari/
Translation:
Where is the silent army going?
Blood in armor
Clad in bast shoes2
Dry like the branches of the Aragvi River3
They did not serve a lord
But were devoted to the king
And who leads the army with the flag?
They are three hundred, the three hundred legends
Are led by angels in the sky
Homeland, they are awakened in their graves
The children of Lashari, Lomisi, Gudani’s serfs4
They are used to eternity
Like swords in a sheath
Where is the silent army going?
Blood in armor
Clad in bast shoes
Dry like the branches of the Aragvi River
1The three hundred men from the highlands along the Aragvi River, that gathered together in 1795 and fought the Battle of Krtsanisi against the invading Qajar Army. They pledged to fight until their death, and only a few returned home. Many famous Georgian authors have paid tribute to the men in their writing. In 2008 they were canonized as martyrs in the Georgian Orthodox Church.
2Traditional shoes made of tree bark
3The major river of the eastern Georgian highlands of Khevsureti, Pshavi and Mtiuleti. The 112 kilometer long Aragvi was dammed in Zhinvali in 1986, forming the Zhinvali Reservoir which provides power to much of Georgia. The river eventually flows into the Mt'k'vari at Mtskheta.
4Lasharis Jvari in Pshavi, Lomisi in Mtiuleti, and Gudani in Khevsureti are the principal sanctuaries to Saint George within those highland regions.
There is no English translation available for this song. If you are able to provide one, please include it in an email to aurelia@tsutisopeli.com and we will udpate 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 aurelia@tsutisopeli.com and we will udpate the page.
Samjer Shamove Kudos Dzirs
Text and Music: Archil Geladze
Samjer shamove kudos dzirs
Mukhli mamdevda mglisao
/Megona sats’qal ch’abuk’sa
Sit’qvas avigheb p’irsa
Sit’qvas avigheb p’irsa/
Chems ts’in gacherda kalai
Uars ambobda dzlivsa
/Kalais uaris tkmaze
Peri gadmivlis mk’vdrisa
Peri gadmivlis mk’vdrisa/
Daits’vi chemi dats’vistvis
Nurts eghirsebi bedsa
/Shenzedamts at’irdebian
Sheni sts’orebi dghesa
Sheni sts’orebi dghes/
/Chemi guli okheria
Uk’etess shaiqorebsa
Uk’etess shaiqorebsa/
Poetry by Manana Geladze and music by Eter Maisuradze, one of the directors of Didebai Ensemble.
Sats’utro
Text: Manana Geladze
Music: Eter Maisuradze
(scroll down for English translation)
Libo datkhrilo sats’utro
Ts’ukhilit ts’akhved sad tavo
Ak tu k’i ts’elshi gamt’ekhe
Ik rogor gavimartao
Makhsovda visi goris var
Tsuda mt’erobats vtsadeo
Mamulo sheni suntkva var
Zvarak’ad ganmitsadeo
Mamqope chemo gamcheno
Mamuls pitsvertskhlad natali
Net’ar iqvenit kartvelno
upals uqvaran martalni
Translation:
Life
Oh, Life
Where have you gone, so troubled?
If you have bent my back here
How can I correct it there?
I remember which hill I belong to
I tried to do the enemy wrong
I breathe for you, fatherland!
I sacrifice myself for you.
Let me live, creator
I am the homeland’s blood brother and light
Mercy on you, Georgians
The Lord loves those who are true
The Ghudushauri family was a large and wealthy clan from Khevi with lordly prerogatives in the valleys surrounding the village of Sno. The Patriarch of Georgia His Holiness and Beatitude Ilia II, also from Sno, is an ancestor of the Ghudushauri family.
There is no English translation available for this song. If you are able to provide one, please include it in an email to aurelia@tsutisopeli.com and we will update the page.
Shiola Ghudushaurze
Tushebma utkhres tushebsa
/Gadvidet khevis mtazeda/
Ik rom shiolas akeben
/Imas mivudget k’arzeda/
Vintsa shiolas ats’itebs
/Kali urchilot jarzeda/
K’arze mivudgen shiolas
/Shiol gamodi gareta/
Nela ts’amadga shiola
/Chachkans ikhuravs tavzeda/
Akhlos maits’it mijnurno
/Me ver gamoval sharzeda/
Bevrs vazhas utamashnia
/Shiolas mok’le khmalzeda/
This poem, ''Who Shall We Praise And Glorify,'' was written by the famous Georgian poet Davit Guramishvili (1705-1792), and set to music by Pikria Khaik’ashvili, one of the directors of Didebai Ensemble.
Below is a synopsis of Guramishvili’s incredible life story, which led him to write often about the homeland. This excerpt is taken from page 23 of Venera Urushadze's ''Anthology of Georgian Poetry.''
''David Guramishvili, a well-known Georgian poet, was born in 1705, in an obscure village near Tbilisi. Owing to constant invasions of Turks and Persians, he was forced to leave his native village and seek refuge in the hills. There he was captured by a robber band of Lazghins and carried off into Daghestan. He was later able to escape from captivity, and found his way to Russia. In Moscow he joined the suite of Vakhtang VI, King of Kartli, who had emigrated to Russia. After Vakhtang’s death, in the year 1738, he settled in Ukraine, in the small town of Mirgorod and enlisted in the Georgian Hussars regiment. He saw service in numerous campaigns in Europe. During the Seven Years’ War, in 1758, he was taken prisoner by the Prussians and was imprisoned in the citadel of Magdeburg. He was released in 1762, after which he returned to Ukraine, to his new estate, and devoted his attention to agriculture and literature. In 1792 he died a lonely old man, in a foreign land.''
Vakot Vadidot Vinao
Text: Davit Guramishvili
Music: Pikria Khaik’ashvili
(scroll down for English translation)
Vakot vadidot vinao
Ghmerti maghlta shinao
/Vintsa sheamk’o kveqana
Ghame dghed ganachinao/
Mzit, khmelit khit tur balakhit
Mta-bortsvi aghmochinao
/Qoveli mits’isagani
Mashingan gamachinao/
Vakot vadidot vinao
Ghmerti maghlta shinao
/Vintsa sheamk’o kveqana
Ghame dghed ganachinao/
Translation:
Who Shall We Praise and Glorify
Who shall we praise and glorify
God on high
Who adorned the world with beauty
Who separated night from day
From the sun down to the earth
Covered with trees and grass
From the tall mountains down to the hills
He created all that we see around us
Who shall we praise and glorify
God on high
Who adorned the world with beauty
Who separated night from day
A love song.
To hear other versions of this song, visit the pages of Mandili Ensemble and Liza Karchaidze.
Amagham Chemtan Ara Khar
(scroll down for English translation)
Amagham chemtan ara khar
Chem tvals ts’in mkholod kedia
Vegharts k’aravshi shevsulvar
Vegharts ts’in gadmikhednia
Dzalad shemartul ts’arbivit
Mtebi ts’in gadameghoba
Me k’i akedan shenamde
Erti gaprenats meqopa
Kedze mgelivit gadmoval
Khev-khev chavqvevi mdinares
Rom mtvaris shukze shegasts’ro
Tvalebi laghad mdzinares
Shen chemo ghamis varsk’vlavo
Kalo shav-ts’amts’amiano
Bindis mosvlemde gpitsade
Erti mosvla davagviano
Vai tu a khar giqvarvar
Da agharts rame t’arebi
K’vlav me da chemi nabadi
Keds ikit gadvik’argebi
Translation:
Tonight You Are Not With Me
Tonight you are not with me
There are only ridges in front of me
I can’t enter my tent
Nor can I see the view ahead
Like the shape of an angry eyebrow
The mountains above cut me off
To get from where I am to you
One flight would suffice
I will climb over the ridge like a wolf
From valley to valley, over the rivers
So that by the moonlight I would arrive
To your freely sleeping eyes
You are my night’s star
Black eyelashed woman
I swear that before twilight
I will come
If it is to be you that loves me
I can’t bear anything else
I, in my shepherd cloak
Will vanish over the ridge
This text about the raven might be a reference to Vazha-Pshavela's essay Commemoration of the Dead and the Rites. Donald Rayfield in The Literature of Georgia: A History says the essay ''describes bullocks and sheep awaiting slaughter while men sing a mosagonari [a mourning song] 'I beg you ravens' in which the dead hero ironically commits his body to the carrion-eaters.'' The raven symbolizes a forewarning of devastation and death.
Shav K’ldesa Shavi Qorani
(scroll down for English translation)
Shav k’ldesa shavi qorani
Hai qorani
/Chava da chaekaneba/
Chava da leshit gadzgheba
Hai gadzgheba
/Amasvla daezareba/
Rai ginda chemgan qorano
Hai qorano
/Ras damt’rialeb tavzeda/
Shens jibrze egre gavkhdebi
Hai gavkhdebi
/Khorts ver mip’ovnit dzvalzeda/
Ertai var ertkhel movk’vdebi
Hai movk’vdebi
/Ertkhel vat’ireb dedasa/
Ertkhel sjobia sik’vdili
Hai sik’vdili
/Sul mudam daghonebasa/
Translation:
Black Raven on the Black Cliff
The black raven on the black cliff
Flies down
It flies down and eats decaying flesh
It will be too lazy to fly back up
What do you want from me, raven?
Why do you fly around my head?
To counter you, I will become thin
You will not be able to find the flesh on my bones
I am alone and will die
And my mother will cry only once
It is better to die once
Then to be forever melancholic
Jvaris Ts’inasa was a ritual song traditionally performed at weddings throughout the eastern Georgian highlands as well as in Rach’a and Javakheti. This variant is from Khevi.
To hear other variations of this song from other regions, visit the pages of Lashari Ensemble, Tsiura Beriashvili and Maqvala Ts'ik'lauri.
Jvaris Ts’inasa (Mokheuri)
Jvaris ts’inasa
Shen krist’e ghmerto
Dasts’ere jvari
Akhal qoilta
Akhal shaqrilta
Jvaris ts’inasa
Translation:
In Front of the Cross (from Khevi)
In front of the cross
Jesus Christ
Marry these new flowers1
The new bride-groom
In front of the cross
1New couples in Georgia are referred to as flowers.
This round dance song is an invocation to the angel called Natlis Mtsemeli, who Georgians assimilate to Saint John the Baptist: Natlis Mtsemeli has two meanings, ''The Baptist'' or the more literal translation, '''The Giver of Light.'' The cult to Natlis Mtsemeli was strong in the northeastern highlands of Georgia, particularly in Khevi, Mtiuleti and Khevsureti where he was mostly referred to as K'viria.
K'viria was believed to be the most powerful khat'i1 by the people of Khevi, Mtiuleti and Khevsureti. They believed he adminstered the justice of God within their societies, and mostly was responsible for the birth and protection of the first-born son, the heir of the clan.
1In the northeastern highlands of Georgia, Khat'i, which literally means ''icon" or ''sign,'' is one of the many words used to describe the pre-Chrisitian divinities that are still worshipped by locals in the forms of syncretic religion - a result of pagan beliefs restructured within the concepts of Christian Orthodoxy. Other names for the khat'is are ''angeloz'' (angels), ''khvtishvili'' (children of God), ''saghmto'' (divinity), and ''jvari'' (the Cross). Khat'is are subordinate to God, and the community considers itself vassals to the dieties. They are venerated for their protection, but are also feared for their power to possess and punish. Sacrificial rites are performed to them at their sanctuaries, and they are often personified through folk tales and songs.
Read below for more detailed information on the origin of the name K'viria, an excerpt translted from the French from page 334 of George Charachidze's ''Le système religieux de la Géorgie païenne,'' Collection [Re]Découverte, 2001.
''The name of K'viria needs to be linked to the Christian Saint K'viriak'e, which is Saint Cyriacus. One of the most popular Georgian calendars already in use in the 14th century was using the following names for months: 'June' = Ioanobis-tve, 'July' = K'virik'obis-tve, 'August' = Mariamobis-tve, 'November' = Giorgobis-tve. [...] It seems reasonable to admit that Saint Cyriacus, very popular in Georgia, has given his name to the pagan God, and the deformation from K'viriak'e into K'viria is normal. The Georgian name for Sunday, 'K'virak'e' that we find under this form in the chronics of the Atabag in the 15th century has become, in modern Georgian, 'K'vira'. It is probable that the name of the Saint has followed the same evolution.''
Natlis Mtsemlis Dideba
(scroll down for English translation)
Hai dideba da natlis mtsemelsa
Dideba da k’vire khtishvilsa
Dideba da dideba qvela ts’mindasa
Movedit shens moedanzeda
Santlita da gast’ekhelita
Gagvaqole sheni ts’qaloba
Dideba da natlis mtsemelsa
Dideba da dideba qvela ts’mindasa
Hai hai kalebo da didi dideba
Translation:
Glory to the Baptist
Glory to the Baptist, the giver of light
Glory to K’viria’s Cross1
Glory to the Virgin Mary
We have come to your place of prayer
With candles and a ritual cakes
Grant us your mercy
Glory to the Baptist, the giver of light
Glory to the Virgin Mary
Women, great glory
1Read ''Song About'' for more detailed information on K'viria.
This song is based on a poem written by Vazha-Pshavela1 in 1886.
1Luka Razikashvili (1861-1916) was one of Georgia’s most famous poets and writers. He wrote under the pen name Vazha-Pshavela, which literally means the ''son from Pshavi.'' He was born and raised in the village of Chargali where a museum for him, opened in 1961, exists today.
Qazbegze
Text: Vazha-Pshavela
(scroll down for English translation)
Es gazapkhulits movida
Age chamoshra mtania
/Aghelvebula aragvi
Pshav-Khevsuretis ts’qalia/
Ants’vanebula midamo
Mtebze gashlila tskhvaria
/Suqvela damshvenebula
Maghla mta dabla baria/
Zeimobs deda buneba
K’ek’lutsad monartavia
/Pandurze mgheris mokheve
Mzes gausts’ora tvalia/
Sitsotskhle sikharulia
Ia da vardi hqvavian
/Modi da nakhet qazbegi
Ra t’urpa sanakhavia/
Translation:
Qazbegi1
This spring has come
The mountains' snow has melted
The Aragvi2 is agitated
Like all waters of Pshavi and Khevsureti
The environment is green
Sheep are scattered over the mountains
Everything has become ravishing -
The high mountains and the low plains
Nature is celebrating
Flirtatious
The people of Khevi3 sing and play the panduri4
With the sun in their eyes
Life is a joy
Violets and roses are blooming
Come and see Qazbegi
It is so beautiful to see!
1Qazbegi is the former name of St'epants'minda, the town in Khevi that Didebai Ensemble is from. The village sits beneath the 5,033-meter-high Mount Qazbeg, the third highest mountain Georgia.
2The major river of the eastern Georgian highlands of Khevsureti, Pshavi and Mtiuleti. The 112 kilometer long Aragvi was dammed in Zhinvali in 1986, forming the Zhinvali Reservoir which provides power to much of Georgia. The river eventually flows into the Mt'k'vari at Mtskheta.
3A highland in northeast Georgia where Mount Qazbeg and the town of St'epants'minda are located. Read more about Khevi here.
4A three-stringed, fretted lute common in all regions of northeastern Georgia. The instrument is most frequently used to accompany ballad singing. Read more about the panduri here.
An unrequited love song.
Aragvis Ch’alebi
(scroll down for English translation)
Ambobdi aragvis ch’alebi
Skhva ch’alebs araprit ar gavso
/Mravali mdinare minakhavs
Skhva eshkhi dahk’ravso aragvso/
At’ekhil ch’alebshi davrbodi
Siamem qelamde agvavso
Qvavilebs giqridi nats’navshi
Chiodi qvavili ar makvso
Ghimilit shagkhede tvalebshi
Gak’otse tu ara ar makhsovs
Me minda simghera geduri
Rom sik’vdils tvalebshi vuquro
/Vitsi rom amaod genduri
Guls rogor momtsemdi ugulod/
Translation:
The Groves of the Aragvi1
You were saying that the groves of the Aragvi
Are not like any other
You said, I have seen so many rivers
But the Aragvi has a different charm
I was running in the groves
Filled with pride
I was weaving flowers into your braid
You were complaining- ''I don’t have a flower''
I looked at you with a smile in my eyes
I don’t remember if I kissed you then or not
I want a swan song
That looks death in the eyes
I know that I am futilely angry with you
How can you give me your heart so heartlessly?
1The major river of the eastern Georgian highlands of Khevsureti, Pshavi and Mtiuleti. The 112 kilometer long Aragvi was dammed in Zhinvali in 1986, forming the Zhinvali Reservoir which provides power to much of Georgia. The river eventually flows into the Mt'k'vari at Mtskheta.
There is no English translation available for this song. If you are able to provide one, please include it in an email to aurelia@tsutisopeli.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 aurelia@tsutisopeli.com and we will update the page.
Tendebi Nurts Gatendebi
Tendebi nurts gatendebi
Dido ghameo stvlisao
Amokhval nurtsa ts’amokhval
Tsisk’aro tenebisao
Amaghldi khadas mtvareo
Tsikhet ak’rikhar chrdilebi
Khadas ver mogtsemt mepeo
Mtskhetas ar shagetsilebi
Erti sitsa makvs satkmeli
Sat’surto samartalisa
Rat’om ar itsis garcheva
Mamatsisa da mkhdalisa
A love song sung between a man and a woman.
Amodi Mtashi Kalau Shavtvalav
Music: Nino Topadze
(scroll down for English translation)
Amodi mtashi kalau shavtvalav
Ushenod kalav, ghrublebit dardoben
Ertad gavuqvet tskhovrebis gza-savals
Kalau shavtvalav
Jobia davrchet mzestan da tsastana
Amodi chemtana
Elva khar vazha, ghrublebshi nakukhi
Movardnil grigals ar sheushindebi
Vitsi galaghebs shen chemi ghimili
Pikrebshi shena khar
Am ch’reli otsnebit, mets gealersebi
Vazhau elva khar
Kalau es guli shenia itsode
Ar menaneba me shentvis sitsotskhle
Gzas supras gagishli
Varsk’vlavni shen ggvanan
Gamqopebs mzestana
Ichkare kalo, nu damts’vi survilit
Amodi chemtana
/Agria ghmertma gvamqopos ertada
Lamazo chven sul erturti gvets’ada
Sitsotskhles shentan visurveb khelakhla
Chems gulshi shena khar
Shensavit kveqnad veravis ver vnakhav
Sitsotskhle shena khar/
Translation:
Come Up To The Mountains, Black-Eyed Woman
(boy) Come up to the mountains, black-eyed woman
Without you, even the clouds are sorrowful
Let’s follow life’s path together
Black-eyed woman
It’s better to stay with the sun and the sky
Come up with me
(boy) You are lightning, boy, thunder in the clouds
Not afraid of a storm
I know that my smile makes you happy
You are in my thoughts
In this colorful dream, I’ll caress you
Boy, you are lightning
(girl) Woman, know that this heart is yours
I won’t regret giving my life to you
I will spread out a feast for you on the road
You are like the stars dividing the sun
Hurry up woman, do not burn my desire
Come up with me
(boy) May God grant us a life together
Beautiful one, we’ve always liked one another
I will wish to spend my life with you
You are my heart
I will never meet another like you in this world
You are my life
This shepherd's love song was sung by Kolkheti Ensemble.
There is no English translation available for this song. If you are able to provide one, please include it in an email to aurelia@tsutisopeli.com and we will update the page.
Zogi Igeti Kalia / Mts’qemsis Ghighini
Zogi igeti kalia da
Dzalit maikhdens tavsao
K’okht’ad gaivlis khalkhshia
Maigheriebs qelsao
Mtidan ro kmari mouva da
Dzalit aqvarebs tavsao
Me sheni gamk’virvebia
Rogor manebeb tavsao
Gverds tavad magigordebi da
Shamagekhvevi qelsao
Am chemi mok’le ch’k’uita
Ghames jobia dghesao
There are no lyrics or translations available for this song. If you are able to provide more information, please include it in an email to aurelia@tsutisopeli.com and we will update the page.
To listen to another version of this song, visit the page of Liza Karchaidze.
There are no lyrics or translations available for this song. If you are able to provide more information, please include it in an email to aurelia@tsutisopeli.com and we will update the page.