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Born in 1944 in the beautiful village of Shenako some 2,000m above sea level, Eldara is a Tush man of many talents and trades.
Eldara spent his childhood in the mountains, visiting the plains for the first time in his teenage years. Later, he was a soloist in Lela Tataraidze’s1 chorus and worked as a cartographer for eastern Georgia during the Soviet Union. He studied medicine, massage and music.
After retiring, Eldara moved back to his family’s home in Shenako, where he spends the entire winter as its only resident. Eldara is wise in the world of homeopathy and cooks well, making use of local plants and herbs. He entertains himself during long winter days by playing the panduri,1 balalaika2 and garmoni.3
During the summers he runs a guesthouse out of his home called ''Old Tusheti,'' which offers rustic accommodation, horseback trips, off-road vehicle tours and even massages!
1Born in 1949 in Zemo Alvani, Lela is Tusheti’s most famous singer. She has made several albums and today leads the K’esane Quartet.
2A 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 instrument here.
3A Russian folk string instrument that made its way into the northeastern highlands of Georgia. It has three strings, a triangular body, and is tuned the same as the classical panduri. Read more about the instrument here.
4A button accordion that originated in Russia and plays an important role in the musical tradition of the Tush in Georgia, as well as in other regions throughout the Caucasus. Read more about the garmoni here.
Song by Eldara Bukvaidze.
Simart’ove
Text & Music: Eldara Bukvaidze
(scroll down for English translation)
Isev sichume, Isev sits’qnare
Isev simart’ove, isev mart’ooba
/Isev am pikrebtan, isev dzvel pikrebtan
Mart’ok’a brdzola da mart’oka ch’idili/
Mart’ok’a darchenils pikrebi makhrchoben
Gulzed mepareba me sevdis sudara
/Aseti qopa kho ikats meqopa
Mits’is shav sudara zed ro mekhureba/
Ikneba mijobda, ikneba mijobda
Am simart’ovidan tavi dameghts’ia
/Tkventvis damitmia mdumare k’edlebi
Samotkhis k’arebits tkventvis damitmia/
Isev sichume, Isev sits’qnare
Isev simart’ove, isev mart’ooba
Translation:
Solitude
Again, the silence and the calm
Again, the solitude and the loneliness
Again, with these old thoughts
The solitary fight and the solitary struggle
I am drowning in isolation and reflection
Shrouds of grief cover my heart
When a layer of black earth will veil me
Such an existence will suffice.
It would be better
To escape this seclusion
I give you these speechless walls
I give you the gates of heaven
Again, the silence and the calm
Again, the solitude and the loneliness
This song, the first half of which was written by Meri Bukuraidze, is about Shenako, Eldara’s village.
Shenakoze
Text: Meri Bekuraidze
(scroll down for English translation)
Shenakos bindi chamots’va
Michumda aremareo
/Mtvarets ar daigvianebs
Amotsurdeba maleo/
T’qemats shriali moik’lo
Churchuls shests’qvet’en nelao
/Ghmerto suqvelas achvene
Es saotsnebo mkhareo/
Mtao mtis shvilta mparvelo
Vervin shegitsvlis mshvenebas
/Davlotsav tushta modgmas da
Nurasdros gadashenebas/
Khat’is k’ars santlebis nteba
Sts’qalobdes khmata simravle
/Dek’anozisa dalotsva
Tkven gagimarjot imravlet/
Bekhvnes suprisa gashlasa
Tushur garmonis zhgherebas
/St’umar masp’indzlis shekhvedras da
Liles tskhenebis ch’enebas/
Mtao mtis shvilta mparvelo
Vervin shegitsvlis mshvenebas
Translation:
Shenako
Text: Meri Bekuraidze
Twlight has come in Shenako
The setting has stilled
The moon will not be late
It will soon rise
The rustling in the forest has concluded
The murmuring is slowly interrupted
God, show to everyone
This dream-like place
Mountain, Protector of the highland children
No one can alter your beauty
Blessings on the Tush people and their kin
That will never relinquish life
A candle lit at the shrine’s door
Is graced by the voices of many
The blessing of the dek’anozi1
''Glory to your prosperity''
There is a feast laid out at Bekhvne2
The sound of the Tushetian garmoni3
The gathering of host and guests
And the galloping of Lile’s horse
Mountain, Protector of the highland children
No one can alter your beauty
1Priest, chosen to be in charge of the shrines and spiritual life of his highland community in the northeastern highlands of Georgia. In contrast, a khevisberi or ''valley elder'' historically referred to as an elected leader, responsible for the political and military life of his community. By the 19th century, as the dekanozi began taking on the responsibilities of the khevisberi, the two titles merged into one. Today this leader is responsible for tending to the local mountain shrines. In Khevi, Mtiuleti and Tusheti he is referred to as a dekanozi, whereas Pshavs and Khevsurs use the term khevisberi.
2The meeting place of Shenako
3A button accordion that originated in Russia and plays an important role in the musical tradition of the Tush in Georgia, as well as in other regions throughout the Caucasus. Read more about the garmoni here.
A mourning song, written by Eldar Bukvaidze.
Siam Mogik’vdi Dat’ireba
Text & Music: Eldara Bukvaidze
Siam mogik’vlio, romel mkharesa
/Ikneb dach’ril kharid deda mogik’vdesa/
Visam shevschivlo chem ubedurebai
/Chemsavit ramdenia shvileb dak’arguli/
Omis momgono nuamts gikhareba
/Sik’vdili tu gikharis tavadam mohk’vdia/
Translation:
Where Have You Died (mourning song)
Where have you died? In which land?
Perhaps wounded? Mother wants to die in your place
With whom can I share my misfortune?
How many others are like me, with lost children?
You who invented war, you may not be happy
If death satisfies you, then you yourself should die
Ar Vnaghvlob
(scroll down for English translation)
Me igi miqvars tu gsurt simartle
Ase dzlier da ase satutad
/Tu tkven ts’in tavi ver gavimartle
Ar vnaghvlob radgan ghmertma machuka/
Stsadet egeba gadamaqaro
Tu k’i shesdzelit gparavdet ghmerti
/Mere sjobs mits’a gadamaqarot
Damasamarot vit ertad-erti/
Me igi miqvars da ara vnaghvlob
Vin gamigebs da vin ar gamigebs
/Mjera umiznod ar avlev aghmarts, lamazo
Da bedis makhes aghar damigeb/
Translation:
I Don’t Care
I love her, if you want to know the truth
So strongly and so gently
If I am guilty in front of you,
I don’t care, because God gifted her to me
You try and make me stop loving her
If you succeed, may God bless you
Then cover me up with earth
And bury me alone
I love her and I don’t care
Who understands me or not
I will not ascend aimlessly
And the snare of fate will not bait me
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.
Ar Vitsi Chechenta, Auli Sad Ari
Text: Leila Nakudaidze
Ar vitsi chechenta, auli sad ari
Ar vits arkhot’is – sheneba
Ar vitsi dgheidan, shen chemo lamazo
Ar vitsi dgheidan, rom me she miqvarkhar
Otsnebit shen gedzeb, gedzkhi vazhk’atsi
Gikhmod da sitsotskhlets its’qeba akedan
Shen mt’oveb gultsivad kva-k’atsad ktseuli
Dgheidan chem samqops me vaktsev –
Chechenta aulshi gultsivad davdivar
Shen gedzeb uk’valod mtlad gadareuli
Imedit mivqvebi bilik’ebs ghilghosa
Rom sadghats nislebshi shemkhvdebi mts’qurvali
To hear another version of this love song, visit the page of K'eselo Ensemble.
Ts'qali Arghunis Davlie (Mzekalo)
(scroll down for English translation)
Ts’qali arghunis davlie
Shen daginakhe, mze kalo
Shat’ilis tsikhes tsetskhls mivtsem
Tushet ts’agiqvan, mzekalo
Iebs dalalshi chagik’rav
Tetronze shegsvam, mzekalo
Khitanas k’urat’s shevutkvam
Jvars gadagts’erav, mzekalo
Mdevars shav k’ldestan davkhvdebi
Vazhas aludas dzmebtano
Arkhot’shi ambavs gavat’an
Guls amogiglej, mzekalo
Translation:
I drank from the waters of the Arghuni1
And I saw you, sun woman
I will set fire to your Shat’ili's fortress
Capture and take you to Tusheti
I will weave violets into your braid
I will help you mount a white horse
I promise to sacrifice a buffalo
I will bless you at the shrine
I will take the news to Arkhot’i2
I will tear out your heart, sun woman
1The Argun River flows through Shat'ili and into Chechnya in the north Caucasus.
2An isolated valley in the northeast highland of Khevsureti.
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.
Dedaze
Text: Shalva Sisauri
Dedi, sapvlavze mosuli
Khisa ver vch’ame khilio
/Ver momagonda sik’ete
Chemtvis gavlili ch’irio/
Mis mk’erdze dadzinebuli
P’irveli shvilishvilio
/Khvets’na khat’tan da ghmerttana
Rom ar momik’vdes shvilio/
Vpikrob de is iqos bechavi
Tu ver ikneba gmirio
/Bunebis nachukari mqavs
Khalkhshi chavude ts’ilio/
Tu ch’ir veravis mogkhadat
Ikneb mogirtot lkhinio
/Ase ts’avida im kveqnad
Me udedobas vt’irio/
Text: Eter Ich'irauli
Tsa Gaitsritsa Sheep’ara Siqvitle Potlebs
Text: Eter Ich’irauli
(scroll down for English translation)
Tsa gaitsritsa sheep’ara siqvitle potlebs
Am ts’elma uk’ve meramdened chamoit’ira
Shemodgomaa da dzghvats gakhda uk’ve p’irkushi
Bunebam titkos tsremlis dzilit chamoik’ida
Ik ra peria tsadamits’a net’av am ts’utshi
Am uchveulo chems mits’aze net’av ra khdeba
Daparpat’eben sul skhvagvarad albat potlebi
Ghmerto ezoshi, chems ezoshi gadamakheda
Chven vitsritsebit, rogorts khdeba dasabamidan
Es gazapkhulits ra khanmok’le shercha gonebas
Rogor ar minda zhami dgeba maints mimts’ukhris
Chveni tskhovrebats rogora hgavs am potoltsvenas
Chem gulshits uk’ve shemodgomis suskhi igrdznoba
Shuakhnis asak’vs didi khnis ts’in gadavabije
Im chem gazapkhuls, im chem zapkhuls,
Im chem otsnebebs
Verts shemodgoma, verts zamtari, ver damavits’qebs
Translation:
The sky is joyless and the leaves have turned yellow
The year has already wept several times
It’s autumn and the sea looks gloomy
It's as if nature is hanging like a sleepy tear
What color is the earth and sky there right now?
Did anything unexpected happen on my ground?
The leaves there fall differently...
Oh God, I wish to look down on my yard!
Who knows how it happened so fast
Only the short springtime stays in our mind
Oh how I wish that evening wouldn't come
Oh how our lives resemble these falling leaves
In my heart is already the frost of autumn
I am not a middle-aged man anymore
But winter and fall cannot force me
To forget my dreams of spring and summer.
A tribute to the Georgian men who have died fighting for their country. It refers to specifically to the Tbilisi Massacre that occurred on April 9th, 1989. Twenty people died and hundreds were injured when the Soviet Army dispersed an Anti-Soviet Demonstration.
Sakartvelos Saamaqo Dzmebo
(scroll down for English translation)
Ikneb deda genat’rebat dzmebo
Ezo-k’arits genat’rebat ikneb
Eh ra ari bedists’era gergot
Tmakhuch’uch’a p’irmtsinare bich’ebs
Tkven k’i gdzinavt moigonebt rames
Ik misuli otsnebebshits mihkrit
Tskhra ap’rili ar gak’mares dzmebo
Agvist’oshits gaghvrevines siskhli
Sakartvelos saamaqo dzmebo
Samudamod chvens gulebshi darchit
Translation:
Georgia's Glorious Brothers
Brothers, perhaps you miss your mother
You miss your home, perhaps
What fate fell upon you that cursed you so?
Curly-haired, ever-smiling boys…
You are reminded of something in your sleep
You fly there in your dreams
April 9th1 was not enough, Brothers
For in August you were bloody, too.
Georgia’s glorious brothers –
You are always in our hearts
1A reference to the Tbilisi Massacre that occurred on April 9th, 1989. Twenty people died and hundreds were injured when the Soviet Army dispersed an Anti-Soviet Demonstration.
Text: Shalva Sisauri
K’atsi Sul Tsdilobs Gons Mqopi
Text: Shalva Sisauri
(scroll down for English translation)
K’atsi sul tsdilobs gons mqopi
Rom ar ajobon t’olebma
Magram khandiskhan t’quvdeba
Misis sts’rapmali goneba
Khan zogebs schagravs simdidre
Zogs sigharibe ts’valeba
Khan k’idev vinme survili
Gverdze rom ar geqoleba
Amit’om chem ts’il sitsotskhles
Mudam khom ar akvs lkhinoba
Amistvis ar meshinia
Ar mogitsia p’iroba
Chem ch’k’uaze verts me davdivar
Dro me ar memorchileba
Bindi mashinebs daghmartshi
Aghmartshi mchagravs tskhovreba
Ar gvinda pikri imaze
Rats iqo da rats ikneba
Gindats givlili qvela dghe
Is khom arasdros brundeba
Meore qmats’vilobis dro
Midis miva da mihqveba
Mesame didi shetsdoma
Arsad ar gamosts’ordeba
Mjera rom qvela tsotskhalsa
Dro mouva da mok’vdeba
Pikrit nasheni k’oshk’ebi
K’ubos pitsrebshits mohqveba
Ak utkmels satkmels sad it’qvis
Mt’ris bages sit’qva ar stsdeba
Kveqnad mqops pasi imita
Ritits tsotskhlad ar itkmeba
Translation:
A Reasonable Man Always Tries
A reasonable man always tries
To be no worse than his equals
But mistakes are not always avoided
By his quick mind
Some people are defeated by their own wealth
Some are defeated by poverty and struggle
Some – by longing for someone
For not having their presence
That’s why my life
Is not always cheerful
Though I am not scared
Because you have not promised me anything
I don’t always act according to my will
Time does not obey me
Fog scares me when I walk down the mountain
Life bullies me when I walk back up
Let’s not think
About the past or the future
For the days we have spent
Will never come back
The time, our second youth
Is going and following
The third big mistake
Will never be corrected
I believe that every living being
Will die at some point
Castles built in dreams
Will be buried along with the coffin
When will one say words that are not to be said?
Words do not slip from an enemy's lips
The price of a living being is something
That cannot be weighed during one's life
Text by Vazha-Pshavela.
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.
Ghmerto, Nu Mohk’lav P’at’aras
Text: Vazha-Pshavela
(scroll down for English translation)
Ghmerto, nu mohk’lav p’at’aras
Nu aut’ireb mshobelsa
/Nu miabareb shavs mits’as
Am soplis gautsnobelsa/
Nu vnakhav bavshvis k’ubosa
Nu gamkhdi shensa mgmobelsa
/Atsade gadzghes sitsotskhlit
Avis da k’argis nakhvita/
Shaedzlos mamulis datsva
Gamagrebulis mk’lavita
/Tu arts atslidi, sopeli
Radgha achvene tvalita/
Translation:
God, Don’t Kill the Little Ones
God, don’t kill the little ones
Don’t make their parents cry
Don’t leave them to the black earth
For they don’t yet know their village
Don't make me look at a child's coffin
Don’t have me blame you for that
Let him indulge in life
Let him find out what is good and bad
He could save his country
With his strong hands
If you don't allow him to live
Why are you giving him birth?
A tender song about mothers.
Menat’reba Sheni Tbili Suntk’va
(scroll down for English translation)
Menat’reba sheni tbili suntk’va
Gonebidan rogor amogshalo
/Churchulebdi genatsvalos deda
Chemo salotsao/
Siqvaruls nu daamadlebt dedebs
Tbili sit’qva khshirad gaibeded
Sanam deda tsotskhalia
Moeperet dedebs, moeperet dedebs
Gazapkhuli akhalodeba deda
Da tsremlebi minda shegimshralo
/Damesizmre damesizmre khshirad
Deda chemo chemo salotsavo/
Tu bavshvoba genanebat dzlier
Naadrevad shishob ar dapere
Sanam deda tsotskhalia
Moeperet dedebs, moeperet dedebs
Torem mere gviania shvilo
Tsashi misdebs ts’minda sulis mt’redebs
Sanam deda tsotskhalia
Moeperet dedebs, moeperet dedebs
Translation:
I miss your warm breath
How can I erase you from my mind
When you whisper to me
You are my sweet child, my icon
Don't reproach your mother's love
Tell them warm words often
While she is still alive
Always care for your mother
Spring is approaching, dear mother
And I want to dry your tears.
Come to me in my dreams, come often
My mother, my saint
If you miss your childhood
And are afraid of old age
Care for your mother
While she is alive
Or else it is too late, child
The saintly soul follows the doves in the sky
While your mother is still alive
Care for your mother
The lyrics of this song were written by Eter Ich'irauli from Shenako, Tusheti.
The song refers to the collapse of Georgia's economy in the early 1990s after the fall of the Soviet Union. This marked a dark and difficult time when many left to find work abroad, notably in Greece because of its proximity to Georgia and its Eastern Orthodox background.
Nost’algia
Text: Eteri Ich'irauli
Music: Eldara Bukvaidze
(scroll down for English translation)
Rodesats kveqana moitsva kaosma
Da khalkhma dak’arga momavlis imedi
/Rodesats nateli moitsva bneletma
Da dabneulebi upsk’ruls mivadekit/
Vighatsam am bnelit moitbo khelebi
Ramdeni umts’eo bnelits sheets’ira
/Gvshioda, gvts’quroda, gvtsioda, bneloda
Da kveqnis satave sat’anas ech’ira/
Vakhsenet ghmerti da ts’avedit utskhoets
Davt’ovet samshoblo mt’rebisgan dach’rili
/Davt’ovet vints dzlier gviqvarda am kveqnad
Da es ganshorebats ar iqo advili/
Da ekhla utskhoel eladis mits’aze
T’k’ivilebs vuqureb mokhutss da davardnis
/Vikhut’ebt skhvis bavshvebs chven sitbos gadavtsemt
Im sitbos romelits chvens shvilebs ts’avartvit/
Zetsas mip’qrobili tvalebit vlotsulob
Ghmerto qvelaperi droulad damtavrdes
/Mudmivad darcheba verasdros ver ts’avshli
Ghimilshi damalul tsremlebis nak’valebs/
Translation:
Nostalgia
When the world was overtaken by chaos
And people lost hope for the future
When light was overtaken by darkness
And we confusedly moved towards the abyss
Someone benefited from this gloom
How many helpless people were taken by it?
We were hungry, we were thirsty, we were cold
And there was only obscurity
We retained God and went to foreign countries
We left the homeland wounded by the enemies
Leaving our loved ones behind
This distance was not easy
And now, on the ancient ground of Greece
We soothe the pain of the old and the ill
We embrace the children of others, give them warmth
A warmth that our own children are deprived of
I look at the sky and pray
Oh God, may everything finish in due time
May it constantly remain and never be erased
This mark of tears hidden beneath my smile
A song about Shenako, Eldara's beautiful village in the mountains of Tusheti.
Shenakoze (2)
(scroll down for English translation)
Mtebze chapluli lamaz adgilze
Moschans lamazad chemi sopeli
Qvela sopelisgan gamorcheuli
Lamaz adgilze ashenebuli
Midamo qvelgan dautovia
Gadaatetra lamazi mtebi
Michumda utseb buneba qvelgan
Titkos shets’qvit’a sitsotskhlis dgheni
Sichumes arghvevs mart’od da mart’o
Ch’akhch’akhi lamazi shashvis
Sadghats moismis k’ak’bis k’ak’ani
Rom geubneba sitsotskhle aris
Zamtris sichumes arghvevs mart’ok’a
Titkos chamk’vdara ak qvelaperi
Datovlil kheebs shek’ivleb mqisve
Rom damimt’k’itson sitsotskhle ari
Samarovanze rotsa shevdgebi
Tav-gatsilebs vkhedav archdilebs
Sichumit albat gveubnebian
Tkvenats mogelit chvenive bedi
Zogi daghlili ts’avida kveqnit
Zogi umank’o kali tu vazhi
Sitsotskhlisatvis gaumadzghari
Sitsotskhlitave mots’qurebuli
Gazapkhuls rotsa tovli dadneba
Ch’ik’ch’ik’s mortaven t’qeshi chit’ebi
Akhmiandeba qvelgan buneba
Akhmiandeba chemi sopeli
Translation:
Tucked in the mountains is a stunning place
My village can be seen beautifully
Featured from every hamlet
Built in a sublime place
The area is entirely covered in snow
The handsome peaks have turned white
Suddenly nature is quiet everywhere
As if the spirit of the day has ceased
The silence is broken by
The charming chirp of the thrush
Somewhere is heard the cackle of a partridge
And you come to realize that there is life
Winter’s silence joins the solitude
Almost as if here everything is dead
Snow-covered trees scream again and again
Proving that there is existence
When the snow melts in spring
The birds decorate the woods with their chirp
Nature becomes animated everywhere
My village becomes bright
Text: Lali Mishidze
A song of unrequited love.
Shen Otakhis Sark’meli
Text: Lali Mishidze
(scroll down for English translation)
Ver get’qvi tumtsa jer k’idev
Ramdeni damrcha satkmeli
Usit’qod momcherebia
Sheni otakhis sark’meli
Guldagul mesaubrebi
Vindzlo p’asukhi maghirso
Ghmerto amdeni lodini
Guli naghvelit aivso
Ikneba shemekhmianos
Ts’amlad daedos iarebs
Ekh am tskhovrebis borbali
Turme ra ughvtod t’rialebs
Avivli ukhmod mitsilebs
Chavivli ukhmod mitskeris
Rad ar surs amiqvavilos
Chemi damch’k’nari pikrebi
Sheni otakhis sark’meli
Sheni t’akht’I da k’eria
Qvelasgan mit’ovebuli
Vin itsis rogor melian
Translation:
The Window of Your Room
I can’t tell you, at least yet
Though I still have so much to say
The window of your room stares at me
Without saying anything
Your heart talks with mine
Would you give me an answer?
God, After waiting for so long
I am filled with sorrow
I wish you could reach out to me
And heal my wounds
Oh, the wheel of life
Turns mercilessly
I walk up, she gets rid of me speechlessly
I walk down, she looks at me without a word
Why doesn't she want to make
My withered thoughts blossom?
The window of your room
Your bed and your fireplace
Abandoned by everyone
Is there a place for me there?
A joke song.
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.
P’irveloba, Shairi
Suntkva mich’irs midzneldeba
Chveni bedis shemkhedvares
Tavisupleba gvindoda
Daveriet chven ertmanets
Gadavemt’eret ertmanets
Tan davits’qet skhvis gineba
Bevri amit movimduret
Aghar shegvrcha motmineba
Vin ts’agvk’ida chven ertmanets
Is ar aris chveni kveqnis
Akhla is skhva sheubneba
Modit meve shegarigebt
Demok’rat’ia zogistvis
Gashlili p’ur-marilia
K’argad meorgo qvelapers
T’ant rogorts akhal-ukhia
Kartvelt qoveltvis gvich’irda
Erturtisa gverdze dogma
Qvelas unda p’irveloba
Khalkhis tavze gadajdoma
Ertad dgoma rom shegvedzlos
Vin ras gvizams vertsa mt’eri
K’argad unda davupkrdet
Rom ar gavkhdet/ davrchet bolos sht’eri
Tush love song.
Ts’qlebi Ts’lebs Gaiq’oleben
(scroll down for English translation)
Ts’qlebi ts’lebs gaiq’oleben
Chveni tushetis mtebzeda
K’vlav imghereben kalebi
Sevdian tushur khmazeda
K’vlav chava tushis kalts’uli
Ank’ara ts’qaros ts’qalzeda
K’vlav sheirkheva nats’navi
Chamosholt’ili t’anzeda
Net’av tu mogagondeba
Sheni sitsotskhlis khanzeda
Net’av tu gagakhsendeba
Rat’om get’rpodi razeda
Translation:
The years are flowing down the waters
Of our Tushetian mountains
Women will keep singing
Songs with sad voices
A Tushetian maiden will keep
Descending to the pure spring
Her braid will keep
Waving against her slender body
If you are to remember anthing
During the course of your life
I hope that what you will remember
Is the reason why I loved you so much.
The Tushetian melody Gagnisa Gorisa, played on the balalaika.1
To hear another version of this melody played on the garmoni,2 visit the page of Elik'o Torghvaidze.
1A Russian folk string instrument that made its way into the northeastern highlands of Georgia. It has three strings, a triangular body, and is tuned the same as the classical panduri. Read more about the instrument here.
2A button accordion that originated in Russia and plays an important role in the musical tradition of the Tush in Georgia, as well as in other regions throughout the Caucasus. Read more about the garmoni here.
Instrumental.
Song by Eldara Bukvaidze.
Rotsa Mart’ok’a Vzivar
By: Eldara Bukvaidze
(scroll down for English translation)
Rotsa mart’ok’a vzivar
Pikri mit’atsebs titkos
/Shens bed-ighbalze k’argo
Shens momavalze vpikrob/
Ghame nateli vdgebi
Dilis mzes vkhedav garet
/Mashin shens sakhels chumad
Chaviduduneb mts’ared/
Tu momavalze vpikrob
Tu momavalsa vts’oni
/Uimedod var titkos
Dametankhmebi mgoni/
Rotsa mart’ok’a vzivar
Chems guls dardebi ertis
/Rat’om khar vpikrob mashin
Miuts’vdomeli chemtvis/
Translation:
When I Sit Alone
When I sit alone
It's as if I'm seized by a thought
I am thinking about your future
Your fate and your fortune, my love
At dawn, I wake up
I see the morning sun outside
Then quietly I bitterly
Mumble your name
If I think of the future
If I gage what it will bring
It is as if I am hopeless
I think you will agree
When I sit alone
My lonely heart grieves
Why do you exist then
If you are inaccessible to me
A motif played on the panduri.1
1A three-stringed fretted lute common in all regions of northeast Georgia. The instrument is most frequently used to accompany ballad singing. Read more about it here.
(Instrumental)
Text: Samson Shaadze
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.
Amdeni Barshi Tskhovrebam
Text: Samson Shaadze
Amdeni barshi tskhovrebam
Me guli gadamilia
/Unda vest’umro samshoblos
Salami mivtse dzmuria/
P’at’ar-p’at’ara soplebi
Aka-ik daksaksulia
/Qvelgana tsikhe burjebi
Mam-p’ap’is sakhsovaria/
Imat utsavan samshoblo
Tavebi sheuts’iria
/Siskhlit urts’qvia mta-k’ldeni
Umagrebi mtebia/
Ts’asulan dzveli tushebi
Gamkralan aghar arian
/Romel vazhk’atssats shekhedav
Qvela ts’ver mop’arsulia/
Qvela abezghebs ertmanets
Qvela ert-urtis mt’eria
/Sadgha dzvelia salami
Amaod dak’argulia/
Text by Meri Ch'ich'uridze.
A song about the village of Shenako, Tusheti.
Shenakoze (3)
(scroll down for English translation)
Tsivi niavi dahberavs
Bajghorze pich’vi shrialebs
Ts’asneshi tskhenis ch’ikhvini
Boslebshi tselis griali
Chirtisk’ar mogrovdebian
P’uris mtskhobela kalebi
Garmons uk’raven mgherian
Bunebit sitbot mtvralebi
Mok’itkhva shenakoelebs
Simartlis mtkmelebs mshidoba
Gekhvevit gk’otsnit suqvelas
Ra tkventan qopna mindoda
Votsnebob vitom tkventan var
Tvals tsremli damek’ideba
Ertk’vad mshvidobit gvenakhos
Mtis salotsavebs dideba
Translation:
Shenako
Text: Meri Ch'ich'uridze
A cold breeze blows
At Bajghorze1, the pines rustle
At Ts’asne1, the horses neigh
In the fields, the scythes thunder
The women are harvesting
The bread-baking women
They are playing the garmoni2, singing
Drunk on the warmth of nature
Give my regards to the people of Shenako
Truth narrates peace
Please, kiss everyone
Oh, how much I want to be with you!
I dream as though I am with you
Tears hang from my eyes
May we be shown peace by the glory
Of our mountain place of prayer
1Bajghori and Ts'asne are places in the village of Shenako.
2A button accordion that originated in Russia and plays an important role in the musical tradition of the Tush in Georgia, as well as in other regions throughout the Caucasus. Read more about the garmoni here.
A love song written by Eldara.
Ivnisis Ghame
Text & Music: Eldara Bukvaidze
(scroll down for English translation)
Khuti ekvsi da shvidi
Ivnisis ghame dadga
/Ra damavits’qebs im ts’utebs
Dzlivs gamibrts’qinda/
Sizmrad megona tavi
Sitbos skhivebi mts’vavda
/Chemtvis mzets iqo mtvare
Vints rom me gverdit mqavda/
Qoveltvis vkhedav me shen nak’valevs
Sadats gind viqo dghea tu ghame
/Qvelapers vitmen siqvarulistvis
Tu k’i ram vitsi me shenzed rame/
Tvalebs davkhuch’av, isev davkhuch’av
Oghond gigulo chems siakhloves
/Rit avit’ano chemi ar iqo
Am pikrit mudam var simart’oves/
Translation:
Night of June
Five, six then seven
Night of June has begun
I’ll never forget those moments
I was nearly shining
I thought I was in a dream
Warm rays burned me
The one who I had by my side
Was for me both the sun and the moon
I always see your footprints
Whever you want I'll be, night or day
I'll bear everything for love
Anything that has to do with you
I will close my eyes over and over
Merely come closer to me
I couldn't bear for you not to be mine
With this thought, I am forever lonely