Most of the songs on Machari 2010 are in Georgian, with the exception of Gepshvat Ghvini, Skan Oropa, Meisishi Vardi, and Arami do Sharika which are in Megrelian, a language spoken in Georgia but not written. Where we have no translations for these yet we offer brief descriptions of the content.
We thank our Georgian friends, with special admiration for the enthusiasm of Archil Gogava, Lali Tlashadze and Darejan Turkiya. Other sources are liner notes to CDs produced in Georgia and song collections published by the International Centre of Georgian Folk Song in Tbilisi.
- Most of the meaningless text (there is lots in Georgian folk song) has been omitted.
- Where vowels are hyphenated, each has syllable value, e.g. do-u-are has four syllables.
- There is no better guide to Georgian pronunciation than a native speaker. All we can offer is a system with letter combinations that represent the 33 Georgian characters with the 26 in our own alphabet.
- Besides the five vowels in the alphabet, Georgian lyrics may sport a schwa, which creates an extra syllable and appears as “ ^ “ in our lyrics.
- Several of the sounds are not part of an English speaker’s repertoire. The apostrophes with / k’ / p’ / t’ / ts’ / ch’ / indicate airless equivalents of / k / p / t / ts / ch /. Put in other words, a feather won’t stir when you make these sounds at it.
- The following need clarification:
- / zh / as in beige
- / u / as in cool
- / gh / is very close to a French “ r “
- / kh / as in the Scottish loch or German Bach
- / q / is a glottalised, “airless” version of / kh /
vis gak bage perad shindi, indi mindi
tvali shavi indi mindi, indi mindi
gadmokhevi gadmoprindi, gadmoprindi
gaminatle tvalta bindi, tvalta bindi
shens siqvaruls ar shevshindi, ar shevshindi
uk’vdavebis ts’qarod mindi, ts’qarod mindi
tvali shavi indi mindi, indi mindi
gadmokhevi gadmoprindi, gadmoprindi
gaminatle tvalta bindi, tvalta bindi
shens siqvaruls ar shevshindi, ar shevshindi
uk’vdavebis ts’qarod mindi, ts’qarod mindi
Who has cherry coloured lips? I want them.
Black eyes. I want them.
Fly away.
Be a light to my darkened eyes.
I won’t shy from your love.
I want you for the wellspring of my life.
Black eyes. I want them.
Fly away.
Be a light to my darkened eyes.
I won’t shy from your love.
I want you for the wellspring of my life.
orida, gepshwat ghwini kha-i-arati-a-o
orida, artyants kudwakhwamati-a-o
orida, mapa gegutis^ re do lip’art-i-a ma-i-aglak’is^ da-i-o
orida, shuma ch’k’umwa gawadet do
e-ukunat^ t’a-i-abak’is^ o
oluri k’ula wo
worada oluri k’ulare
amkhanagepi gichkudani nana, ghwini shumare
mit^ ghwinsu washentsuni nana, telo ghurare
geshwi-a geshwi-a
akhali do jweshi-a
uchardi-a uchak’och,
washundida musha mort
uchak’ochi khark’ale
geshashwido geshaghuts’ido asho momichak’ale
orida, artyants kudwakhwamati-a-o
orida, mapa gegutis^ re do lip’art-i-a ma-i-aglak’is^ da-i-o
orida, shuma ch’k’umwa gawadet do
e-ukunat^ t’a-i-abak’is^ o
oluri k’ula wo
worada oluri k’ulare
amkhanagepi gichkudani nana, ghwini shumare
mit^ ghwinsu washentsuni nana, telo ghurare
geshwi-a geshwi-a
akhali do jweshi-a
uchardi-a uchak’och,
washundida musha mort
uchak’ochi khark’ale
geshashwido geshaghuts’ido asho momichak’ale
Let us drink wine from the drinking horn. Happiness to you. Lord Lipartia went to Geguti church and to Maghlaki. I have finished eating and drinking so put away the small table. Friends, you must know that it is time for drinking. He who does not drink is alive but dead. Let us drink, to the new toast and the old one. You were dark and you remained dark. If you are not drinking, why did you come here? Raise your glass and toast with a noise. Drink up and then pass the toast to me.
mre-i-evalo zhami
Many years
dideba maghalta shina ghmertsa
kveqanasazeda mshvidoba
da k’atsta shoris satno-eba
Glory to God in the highest
kveqanasazeda mshvidoba
da k’atsta shoris satno-eba
Glory to God in the highest
Peace on earth
And goodwill to men
And goodwill to men
sul vinakhe prtkhilad tavi, ma-ints shemkhvda es ambavi
nu rvis gik’virt chemzed avi, bedi rom mkoni-a shavi
mshvidobit chemo natsnobno, mtskhovrebno guri-isa
tavadno azna-urebo, shvilebo glekhobisa
rvlavtsa vardebo mardebo, mshvenebit mzgavsno mzisa
miquret bedma ra miqo, gavchndi turme ra dghisa
vints ga-igebs am chems ambavs, qvela damitsqebs gmobasa
it’qvi-an is ubeduri, chemobda vazhk’atsobasa
aba mat rom movek’ali, damrcheboda ra sakheli
i-araghi ristvis mkonda, an simarde an ra kheli
davikni-e damparveli, gadvirchine amit tavi
mets viqavi da isinits, da gatavda es ambavi
nu rvis gik’virt chemzed avi, bedi rom mkoni-a shavi
mshvidobit chemo natsnobno, mtskhovrebno guri-isa
tavadno azna-urebo, shvilebo glekhobisa
rvlavtsa vardebo mardebo, mshvenebit mzgavsno mzisa
miquret bedma ra miqo, gavchndi turme ra dghisa
vints ga-igebs am chems ambavs, qvela damitsqebs gmobasa
it’qvi-an is ubeduri, chemobda vazhk’atsobasa
aba mat rom movek’ali, damrcheboda ra sakheli
i-araghi ristvis mkonda, an simarde an ra kheli
davikni-e damparveli, gadvirchine amit tavi
mets viqavi da isinits, da gatavda es ambavi
I always looked after myself carefully but this happened regardless. Don't be surprised if evil happens. How black my fate was.
Goodbye my acquaintances, you living in Guria, lords, landowners, children of peasants. Roses, fast people beautiful as the sun, look at me, what fate did to me. Born I was but on what a bad day.
Whoever hears my story will start to criticize me. They will say: what an unfortunate, he thought himself a valiant man.
So if they had killed me what kind of reputation would I have? Why did I have a weapon, why was I now quick, now dexterous?
I held up my shield and I saved myself with it. I survived and they too, and so this story ends.
deli vodeli-asa
skan^ oropa ma bch’uns tesh^ obed vach’ve sak’vetsis^ na
chkimi guri tesh muk’ob^ much’o chkhomi art’k’tsis^ na
ubeduri chkimi dud va-i mu re moskhununi [moskhunapu] na
ghura dghasha ip’ts’valen^ peri sakme domich’qapu na
skan^ oropa ma bch’uns tesh^ obed vach’ve sak’vetsis^ na
chkimi guri tesh muk’ob^ much’o chkhomi art’k’tsis^ na
ubeduri chkimi dud va-i mu re moskhununi [moskhunapu] na
ghura dghasha ip’ts’valen^ peri sakme domich’qapu na
Your love burns me, flint would not light tinder so. My heart dangles like a fish on a rod. Woe is me, what has happened? I have undertaken a task that will make me suffer until death.
avtandil gadinadira, haralo arkhi-araloida
kedi maghali t’qi-ani, haralo arkhi-araloida
verts khari mokla verts puri, haralo arkhi-araloida
vertsa iremi rki-ani, haralo arkhi-araloida
avtandil gadinadira, haralo arkhi-araloida
kedi maghali t’qi-ani, haralo arkhi-araloida
verts khari mokla verts puri, haralo arkhi-araloida
vertsa iremi rki-ani, haralo arkhi-araloida
avtandil gadinadira, haralo arkhi-araloida
Avtandil went hunting / on a high, forested ridge / he killed neither buck nor doe / nor antlered deer / Avtandil went hunting
There is no meaningful text to this antiphonal wedding song.
mikelam da gabri-elam k’alo gagvikhvavri-ela
k’alo gagvikhvavri-ela
ts’minda grigol mobrdzandeba, chvens k’aloze dabrdzandeba
chvens k’aloze dabrdzandeba
khvavs dat’iebs, ts’abrdzandeba, daiseve mobrdzandeba
daiseve mobrdzandeba
k’alo gagvikhvavri-ela
ts’minda grigol mobrdzandeba, chvens k’aloze dabrdzandeba
chvens k’aloze dabrdzandeba
khvavs dat’iebs, ts’abrdzandeba, daiseve mobrdzandeba
daiseve mobrdzandeba
Michael and Gabriel have increased the bounty of our threshing floor.
Saint Gregory will enter, will sit down on our threshing floor,
He will leave the bounty behind when he goes.
Saint Gregory will enter, will sit down on our threshing floor,
He will leave the bounty behind when he goes.
skhva ra minda tskhovrebashi
minat'ri-a sami rame da
silamaze tamarisa da
shotas nich'i mts'adi-a me da
erti vinme t'ari-elis
msgavsi sat'rpo mqavdes sadme da
davasrule nat'vra chemi da
amit guli davi-ame da
minat'ri-a sami rame da
silamaze tamarisa da
shotas nich'i mts'adi-a me da
erti vinme t'ari-elis
msgavsi sat'rpo mqavdes sadme da
davasrule nat'vra chemi da
amit guli davi-ame da
What more do I want from life? I've wished for three things: the beauty of Tamar, I wish for Shota's talent.
[If I had] someone like Tariel for a lover anywhere, this would fulfill my wish, with this my heart would be satisfied.
zogi igeti kali-a da magrad ma-ikhvevs tavsa-o
k’okhtad ga-ivlis khalkhshi-a (m)a-igheri-ebs tavsa-o
tviton rom kmari mo-uva da dzalit aqvarebs tavsa-o
me sheni gamk’virvebi-a rogor manebeb tavsa-o
mets tviton mogigordebi da chemo gekhvevi ts’elsa-o
am chemi mokle ch’k’u-ita ghame jobi-a dghesa-o
k’okhtad ga-ivlis khalkhshi-a (m)a-igheri-ebs tavsa-o
tviton rom kmari mo-uva da dzalit aqvarebs tavsa-o
me sheni gamk’virvebi-a rogor manebeb tavsa-o
mets tviton mogigordebi da chemo gekhvevi ts’elsa-o
am chemi mokle ch’k’u-ita ghame jobi-a dghesa-o
There are certain women who dictate their will, elegantly walking among the people, holding their heads high.
When their husbands arrive they [the women] make them love them: “I wonder that you leave me alone sometimes.”
[He replies]: “I will roll to you, put my arm around your waist. According to my somewhat crazy brain night is better than day.”
shen gigalobt, shen gak’urtkhevt upalo
shen gmadlobt upalo
da gevedrebit, ghmerto chveno
shen gmadlobt upalo
da gevedrebit, ghmerto chveno
We sing to You, we bless You, O Lord. We thank you, O Lord
and we appeal to You, our God.
razhams iordanes natels
ighebd shen upalo mashin samebisa
taqvanis tsema gamochnda
rametu mamisa khma gets'ameboda da
saqvarelad dzed^ sakhel^gdva shen
da suli ts'minda sakhita t'redisata da
amt'k'itseb da sit'qvis amis
utstomelobasa
romeligan tskhaden krist'e ghmerto
da sopeli gananatle-e dideba shenda
ighebd shen upalo mashin samebisa
taqvanis tsema gamochnda
rametu mamisa khma gets'ameboda da
saqvarelad dzed^ sakhel^gdva shen
da suli ts'minda sakhita t'redisata da
amt'k'itseb da sit'qvis amis
utstomelobasa
romeligan tskhaden krist'e ghmerto
da sopeli gananatle-e dideba shenda
When you, oh Lord, were baptized in the [river] Jordan, you appeared as the love of the Trinity. You heard the voice of the Father say: You are the chosen Son. The Holy Ghost appeared as a dove and it proved the words and without a doubt whence you came. And you brought enlightenment to the world.
kalgulo tsremlit savse khar,
savse khar da ha-i tu da savse khar-o,
e-i-e, haralo, hai-haris haralo
haralo, shig girevi-a gisheri-o---
shig girevi-a gisheri,
gisheri da ha-i tu da gisheri-o,
savse khar da ha-i tu da savse khar-o,
e-i-e, haralo, hai-haris haralo
haralo, shig girevi-a gisheri-o---
shig girevi-a gisheri,
gisheri da ha-i tu da gisheri-o,
O woman's heart you are full of tears. Jet black is mixed within.
meisishi vardi ma vamichku
muzhams dich’qa p’iruas^ nana
ate sk’ani siskvamek^
gvalo vemgodinuas^ nana
marchka ts’qars^ k’almakhis^
ughu chkari mik’ortina nana
meisish^ vardi gop’irels^
ughu skvami inojina nana
ma tinare makharens^
mochq’ud meums maqareps^ nana
amserishi moch’qudus^
mush sis^kvame kochkuduns^ nana
muzhams dich’qa p’iruas^ nana
ate sk’ani siskvamek^
gvalo vemgodinuas^ nana
marchka ts’qars^ k’almakhis^
ughu chkari mik’ortina nana
meisish^ vardi gop’irels^
ughu skvami inojina nana
ma tinare makharens^
mochq’ud meums maqareps^ nana
amserishi moch’qudus^
mush sis^kvame kochkuduns^ nana
O rose of May, when will you bloom? You are so beautiful.
Trout like swimming in fast water. They swim well in fast water and the May rose in flower, is pleasant to look at.
I am pleased that the groom’s men are bringing the bride. Her beauty will please everyone.
mish re, osur, te ghejepi, gerish gat'qabarali
vit k'ambeshis vakimine atesz ma zarali
visho, qazaq, si ghureli, dikhash inadvalari
doudzakhi joghorems, sharika do arami, harami do sharika
harika do arika, solo harami do sharika
arika do arika (x4) arami do sharika
avre sole minort/ do vara sole munozak'u
uana arto gautebu, k'op'eshia, khaburzaki
vagut'ua, si ghureli, didi /ope zarali
malas gamutkhozine sharika do arami, harami do sharika
osur, ozes uk'akhale, tek/ noghve mitaly
gokhartskili tskheni egeb tek/ keglap'ut'alu
aisha mushen va/tak'eti, dikhash inadvalari
do-udzakhi joghoreps, sharika da arami
ak'a k'et'i komuchas skani mi-ogamali, harami do sharika
akhavai, chkimi-sheni, gvalo vorek dinapili
echdoviti sajen kore ghober ek'ortinapili
didu, mu layt'i uch'k'omuna, vara much'om t'arami
malas gamutkhozine sharika do arami
skan dudi k'ilamirg/n tina dikhash inadvalari
skantsal chich/e qazaqsha re tolep ts'imaghalari, harami do sharika
harams emer ouch'opu, sharika gech'ishapeli re
chkin zarali gapili re, tskhvinsha gilarghvapili re
aba, ants'i gout'e, radgan zaral gapili re
ghejish mach'opal joghorepi birgulshe tskvapili re
ghejepi ch'qvadili re, joghorepish ts'k'apili re, harami do sharika
arami do sharika, arika do arika (x2)
arika do arika, arami do sharika (x2)
skani goluapiro arami do, skani goluapiro sharika, ho
vit k'ambeshis vakimine atesz ma zarali
visho, qazaq, si ghureli, dikhash inadvalari
doudzakhi joghorems, sharika do arami, harami do sharika
harika do arika, solo harami do sharika
arika do arika (x4) arami do sharika
avre sole minort/ do vara sole munozak'u
uana arto gautebu, k'op'eshia, khaburzaki
vagut'ua, si ghureli, didi /ope zarali
malas gamutkhozine sharika do arami, harami do sharika
osur, ozes uk'akhale, tek/ noghve mitaly
gokhartskili tskheni egeb tek/ keglap'ut'alu
aisha mushen va/tak'eti, dikhash inadvalari
do-udzakhi joghoreps, sharika da arami
ak'a k'et'i komuchas skani mi-ogamali, harami do sharika
akhavai, chkimi-sheni, gvalo vorek dinapili
echdoviti sajen kore ghober ek'ortinapili
didu, mu layt'i uch'k'omuna, vara much'om t'arami
malas gamutkhozine sharika do arami
skan dudi k'ilamirg/n tina dikhash inadvalari
skantsal chich/e qazaqsha re tolep ts'imaghalari, harami do sharika
harams emer ouch'opu, sharika gech'ishapeli re
chkin zarali gapili re, tskhvinsha gilarghvapili re
aba, ants'i gout'e, radgan zaral gapili re
ghejish mach'opal joghorepi birgulshe tskvapili re
ghejepi ch'qvadili re, joghorepish ts'k'apili re, harami do sharika
arami do sharika, arika do arika (x2)
arika do arika, arami do sharika (x2)
skani goluapiro arami do, skani goluapiro sharika, ho
There is a loud noise in the yard. The dogs--Aram and Sharika--are running after two intruding pigs. The owner encourages the dogs and his wife scolds him saying that the pigs would never have got in and caused so much damage if he had repaired the fence. Meanwhile, Aram has trapped one of the pigs and Sharika, the other. The damage is done and the pigs are set free. As for the dogs, they deserve praise.
ach'areli viqav gana he
khulo-eli sule-imana, batumshi chamo-ubla kundi
k'artop'ilis vqiddi gana
he he-i-e he
demesi-en jibgirebi gamakhsenda baba-i qana
gavkarida gamovkari do-u-are gan^dagana
nana nanina nina, nana nina nina ho
ho ho nanina nina, nana nina nina ho
ho ho nanina nina, nana nina nina ho
nanina nina nina ho, nanina nina nina ho he
nali-aze me ver aval he
k'ibe uch'udebela-o me akidan arsit^ ts'aval
shen^ze chukhut'ebela-o
he he-i-e he
ver gavatbe sheni guli ra qopilkhar amistana
me rom shensk'en gamovrbivar shen^ garbikhar gan^dagana
khulo-eli sule-imana, batumshi chamo-ubla kundi
k'artop'ilis vqiddi gana
he he-i-e he
demesi-en jibgirebi gamakhsenda baba-i qana
gavkarida gamovkari do-u-are gan^dagana
nana nanina nina, nana nina nina ho
ho ho nanina nina, nana nina nina ho
ho ho nanina nina, nana nina nina ho
nanina nina nina ho, nanina nina nina ho he
nali-aze me ver aval he
k'ibe uch'udebela-o me akidan arsit^ ts'aval
shen^ze chukhut'ebela-o
he he-i-e he
ver gavatbe sheni guli ra qopilkhar amistana
me rom shensk'en gamovrbivar shen^ garbikhar gan^dagana
I was an Acharelian but from Khulo (district), Suleiman (name). I went down to Batumi,
I was selling potatoes. Hooligans descended on me. I remember my father's cornfield.
I swung this way and that, and danced the gandagana.
I can't go up to the granary without a ladder. I won't go from here to anywhere without hugging you. I've not been able to warm your heart. I didn't know you were like this. When I run to you, you run the other way.
