Black Raven

Russian folk music: Black Raven

This is a very traditional Russian folk song - I found a beautiful clip of it on Youtube by a group I haven't known before, Hi-Fi. This is one of the songs that reflect the past and present of Russia so well so it is not surprising that the clip uses the theme of World War 2. It is sad and beautiful. It is may be one of the most referenced and frequently sang Russian folk songs.

One of the facts: This song influenced Russian language, it is one of the reasons why black NKVD cars of Stalinist era were nick-named "black ravens".

My very poor translation:

Black raven,
why are you circling
Above my head?

In vain you are waiting
for your pray,
I am not yours.

Please pass a word
To my dear
beloved.

Tell her that
I am already married,
I have married someone else.

I was married by a bullet
Under a broom** bush,
A Sharp sabre was my matchmaker
And a dun horse was my father-in-law.

Black raven
Black raven
Why are you circling
above my head?

In vain you are waiting
for your pray,
I am not yours.

Note: ** - broom bush is a direct translation of Rassian "rakita" but I am not sure if this is a correct word!!

I know - this is a very sad song but it is so much in my genetic memory that is always with me, I love it. It makes me cry. Many Russian folk singers sing this song but I realliy liked the lead vocal and the interesting anti-war, WW2-themed clip by Hi-Fi.

Black raven

( To compare, this song is sang by one of the famous Russian folk singers, Jeanna Bichevskaya )

Hmm, I am getting to obsessed with all things wolf and raven..