THE SINGING REVOLUTION: - Cantus

mu süda Ärka Üles (Awake, my Heart) estonian Folk song, Hiiumaa Province 

turéja Liepa (A Linden tree Had) traditional Lithuanian Folk song 

odu Dancis (mosquito Dance) marģeris Zariņš 

ein Bernelis per Laukelį (A Young man Goes Through the Field) Lithuanian Folk song, arr. Kristina Vasiliauskaitė 

mežezers (The Forest Lake) Jāzeps Vītols 

Vastlalaulud (shrovetide songs, mvt. 1) Veljo tormis 

mūžam Zili (Forever Blue) emīls Dārziņš 

Krīvu Krīvs (The High Priest) Jāzeps Vītols 

Ussr national Anthem Alexander Alexandrov 

Pärismaalase lauluke (An Aboriginal song) Veljo tormis 

nepūsk, vėjeli (Don’t Blow, Wind) Lithuanian Folk song, arr. Zigmus Venckus 

teomehe-laul (serf’s song) Veljo tormis 

Barons (Baron) Uldis stabulnieks 

2 

“the premier men’s vocal ensemble in the United States” 

(Fanfare) 

The Singing RevoluTion: 

SongS of The BalTic awakening 

IntermIssIon 

Bunkurs (Bunker) Anonymous 

Kaksikpühendus (Double Dedication) Veljo tormis 

Čiuto Juozas tallat-Kelpša 

Priedes (Pine trees) Valters Kaminskis 

*Varjele, Jumala, soasta (God Protect Us From War) Veljo tormis 

Pie Baltijas Jūras (By the Baltic sea) Jānis straume 

mu isamaa on minu arm (Land of my Fathers) Gustav ernesaks 

Put vejini (Blow Wind) Latvian Folk song, arr. Andrejs Jurjans 

Laisvé (Freedom) e. masyté, r. Petrauskas 

Atmostas Baltija (The Baltics are Waking Up) Boriss rezniks 

Leelo mart saar 

* This work can be found on a Cantus recording. 

Please turn off all cell phones, watch alarms and pagers before the concert.

Kui magama ma heitsin, 

End Isa sülle peitsin, 

Mind saadan püüdis neelda, 

Kuid Jumal võttis keelda. 

Tõest, Isa, kui ta vahtis, 

Mind kätte saada tahtis, 

Siis sa mind sülle võtsid 

Ja oma käega katsid. 

“Jää rahul’,” hüüdsid sina, 

“Mu laps, sind kaitsen mina! 

Ta ei saa kahju teha, 

Sa saad veel päeva näha.” 

Su sõna tõeks läinud, 

Ma olen päeva näinud, 

Ei häda saand mu ligi, 

Mind varjas sinu vägi. 

See eest ma sind nüüd tänan, 

suurt auu sulle annan, 

Sull’ ohvrin õhkamisi 

Ja pühi palumisi. 

Sa näed mu südamesse 

Ja tead, mu Jumal, ise, 

Et paremat ei ole 

Mul anniks tuua sulle. 

Mu Jumal, nii kui ööse 

Mind hoidis sinu käsi, 

Nii päeva ka mind kanna, 

Mull’ inglid varjuks anna. 

Su heldus jäägu mulle, 

Mu süda templiks sulle: 

Su sõna mind siin toitku, 

Teed taeva poole näitku. 

- Sung in Estonian 

Texts, Translations and Notes 

mU sÜDA ÄrKA ÜLes (AWAKe, mY HeArt) Folk song, Hiiumaa Province 

estonIA 

translation: 

Mu süda, ärka üles Awake, my heart 

Ja kiida Loojat lauldes, And praise the Creator in song 

Kes kõik head meile annab Who provides us with all that is good 

Ja muret ikka kannab. And bears our burdens too. 

When I laid down to sleep, 

I buried my head in Father’s lap, 

satan tried to catch me, 

But God denied him. 

true, while Father was watching, 

satan wanted to catch me, 

But you took me in your care 

And covered satan’s hand. 

“stay calm,” you cried, 

“my child, I will protect you! 

He can’t hurt you, 

You will yet see the light of day.” 

Your word has come true, 

I have seen the new day, 

no harm came near me, 

Your might sheltered me. 

I thank you for this, 

and honor you greatly, 

I offer up to you sighings 

and holy prayers. 

You see my heart 

You know me, my God, 

to do better 

is my gift to you. 

my God, as in the night, 

I was held in your hand, 

so I carry during the day, 

The shadow of the angels. 

may your kindness remain always with me, 

may my heart be a temple to you: 

may your word nourish me, 

and show me the heavenward path. 

“i have 

Seen The 

new day” 

3


tUréJA LIePA (A LInDen tree HAD) traditional Folk song 

LItHUAnIA 

translation: 

Turėja liepa A linden tree had 

Lioj taduvėla, tra la la... 

Devynias šakas nine branches. 

Lylia ratulėli. tra la la... 

Taduvo, taduvo, tra la la... 

Taduvėla taduvo, tra la la... 

Ratulo, ratulo, tra la la... 

Ratulėli ratulo. tra la la... 

Visas devynias, All nine of them 

Vétréla palaužė... were broken by the storm... 

Palik naž vienų Please leave at least one 

Gegiulai inskristi... for a cuckoo to fly into... 

Gegiulai inskristi Fly in, cuckoo 

Gražiai pakukuoti... to cuckoo beautifully... 

Turėja motka mother had 

Devynias dukras... nine daughters... 

Visas devynias All nine of them 

Piršlaliai išpiršo... The matchmakers match... 

Palik naž vienų Please leave at least one 

Aslalai pašluoti... to sweep the dirt floor... 

- Sung in Lithuanian - trans. Shahzore Shah 

4 

oDU DAnCIs (mosqUIto DAnCe) 

marģeris Zariņš 

LAtVIA 

Odi siltā vakarā 

krustadanci sāka, 

nu bij jaudīm jāteic tā: 

- Tiešam, tiem ir māka!- 

Dzinn, dzinn… 

Ābeles jau ziedos bij, 

ceriņi vēl plauka - 

tas bij laiks, 

kad bērni vij 

vaiņagus uz lauka. 

Te kāds 

odu jaunskungs bāls, 

smalkām, garām kājām, 

teica: Cejš man priekšā tāls 

prom uz kādām mājām. 

Miegamices lielakie 

dus tur snaudā maigā. 

Man ir jāmodina tie, 

dzeļot katram vaigā, 

Kamēr vēl ir pavasars, 

nedrīkst snaust pārlieku. - 

Viņam piekrita viss bars, 

sekojot ar prieku. 

Tā šie palaidņi arvien, 

zīdā gaišpelēkā 

tērpti, šķēpus cilā vien, 

dur un dzied un lēkā. 

- Ē. Ādamsona 

- Sung in Latvian 

translation: 

one warm evening mosquitoes 

began a war dance, 

soon people could only say: 

- my, they certainly know how! - 

Dzinn, dzinn… 

Apple trees were already in blossom, 

lilacs were still in bud - 

it was the season, 

when children weave 

garlands out in the fields. 

Then a pale 

young mosquito gentleman 

with delicate, long legs, 

said: I have a long road ahead 

to a certain homestead. 

The greatest sleepy-heads 

lie there sweetly dozing. 

I must wake them up, 

biting each one on the cheek, 

While it is still spring, 

too much sleep is not allowed. - 

The whole swarm agreed with him 

and followed him with glee. 

to this very day these pranksters, 

decked out in pale grey silk, 

always have their lances ready, 

and jab and sing and gambol.


eIn BerneLIs Per LAUKeLį (A YoUnG mAn Goes tHroUGH tHe FIeLD) 

Folk song, arr. Kristina Vasiliauskaitė 

LItHUAnIA 

Ein bernelis per laukelį su šviesiu dalgeliu, 

Oi ja, nusikirtęs dobilėli kiš uz kepurėlės, 

užsikšęs uz kepurės vilioj mane jauną, 

neprivilsi manęs jaunos su tuo dobilėliu, 

tik privilsi mane jauną su meiliais žodeliais. 

- Sung in Lithuanian 

translation: 

A young man walks through the field with light-colored scythe, 

oh yeah, having cut clover he will tuck it in his cap, 

having tucked in his cap, he lures me young, 

Won’t seduce me with that clover, 

only will seduce me young with sweet words. 

- trans. Vance Wolverton 

“a lulling BReeze muRmuRS 

aBove aS if BReaThing peace.” 

mežeZers (tHe Forest LAKe) Jāzeps Vītols 

LAtVIA 

Vinš rīta mirdzā dus tik klusi, 

tik mierīgi kā bērna gars. 

Ka dvesma viņu skūpstijusi, 

vēl krastā nejūt zieds, ne zars, 

tik spāres žibinās un trīc; 

zilzeltains stiebriņš – karmīnzīds. 

Un saulīte kur mazgājas, 

tur zirneklīši airējas. 

Vēl puķītes, kas krastā zied, 

tās dzird, ko niedrājs snaudā dzied. 

Pār visu žūžo vēsmiņas, 

kā mieru, mieru dvesdamas. 

- A. Drosste-Hülshoff 


translation: 

In the morning light it calmly slumbers, 

as serene as the soul of a child. 

The kiss of the breath of wind 

is not yet felt by blossom or branch, 

only the dragonflies flutter and quiver; 

a blue-golden stem – crimson silk. 

And where the sun bathes, 

there spiders dabble. 

The flowers that blossom on the bank 

still hear what the reeds sing as they drowse. 

A lulling breeze murmurs above 

as if breathing peace. 

5

Ei vastel toassa istu, 

vastel vahib vaini’ulla, 

kükitab küla vahella, 

külmakinda’ad käessa, 

külmakirjad kinnastessa, 

ootab liu laskijaida, 

kelgu peale istu jaida. 


VAstLALAULUD (sHroVetIDe sonGs, mVt. 1) Veljo tormis 

estonIA 

translation: 

I. Vistel-vastel 

I. Vistel-vastel 

Täna on meil visteli, 

today is shrove monday, 

homme on meil vasteli, 

tomorrow is shrove tuesday, 

tunahomme tuhkapäeva. the day after Ash Wednesday, 

Vistel-vastel vennikene, Vistel-Vastel my little lad, 

Pistel-pastel poisekene. 

Pistel-Pastel my little fellow. 

Vastel laulab vaini’ulla: 

Linad saavad liulaskijalle, 

kelgu peale istujalle, 

ebemed eesvedajalle, 

takud taga, taga, taga, tõukajalle. 

Kes ei tule liugu laskma, 

Sel lined liguje jäägu, 

Seina äärde seenetagu, 

Aia alla hallitagu. 

- traditional 


6 

shrovetide does not sit indoors, 

it looks out over the meadow, 

squats between the village houses, 

wearing mittens of frost, 

frost patterns on the mittens, 

waiting for sliders 

and those sitting on their sleds. 

shrovetide sings upon the meadow: 

Flax is given to the sliders, 

to those sitting on their sleds, 

fluffy down to those up front and pulling, 

tow to those pushing at the back. 

And to those who do not come sledding, 

may their flax stay soggy, 

and grow moldy by the wall, 

fungus grow against the fence. 

mūžAm ZILI (ForeVer BLUe) emīls Dārziņš 

LAtVIA 

translation: 

Mūžam zili ir Latvijas kalni, 

Forever blue are Latvia’s hills, 

mūžam nav miera zem Latvijas bērziem, forever there’s no peace beneath Latvia’s birches, 

mūžam raud kokle pār Latvijas kalniem. forever the kokle weeps over Latvia’s hills. 

Sasisti senču upuru trauki, 

miglā tīti dzimtenes lauki, 

zem sila sirmajiem zariem 

miera nav sentēvu gariem. 

Mūžam baltās Daugavas krāces 

vel caur klintīm sendienu stāstu, 

mūžam nerimst Daugavas krāces, 

mūžam nerimst varonu gars. 

- Kārlis Skalbe 


“loST in miST 

aRe The fieldS of 

ouR homeland” 

Broken are our forefather’s sacrificial vessels, 

lost in mist are the fields of our homeland, 

in the forest under the ancient branches 

there is no peace for the shades of our forefathers. 

Through Daugava’s foaming-white rapids, 

flows the story of ancient times, 

forever foaming are Daugava’s rapids, 

forever undaunted—our heroic spirit.

KrīVU KrīVs (tHe HIGH PrIest) Jāzeps Vītols 

LAtVIA 

translation: 

Latvju zemē, veļu laikā, 

In the land of the Latvian people, during the fall 

klusums svēts kad valda dabā, when a hallowed silence reigns in nature, 

sirmie ozoli tad stāsta, 

the ancient oaks recount 

sirmu teiku tautai glabā. an ancient tale they have nurtured for the people. 

Latvju gari brīvi strādā - 

ranta, skalda, nes un kārtā, - 

svētie koki, rau, kā veļas, 

ceļas diženajā sārtā. 

Krīvu Krīvs jau diezgan mācīj’s, 

diezgan svētīj’s, slavēj’s, rājis, - 

grib uz mājām, grib pie dieviem, 

ko tas mūžam sludinājis. 

Tam par slave nemirstīgu 

tautas bērni diženaju 

taisa sārtu - ziedotājam, 

lai nes pēdīgaju ziedu. 

Lai neviena sveša mēle 

tautai nepārmestu lēti, 

ka tas, liekuls, sludinājis 

to, ko pats nav ticēj’s svēti, 

kāpj pats sārtā pirmais vectēvs, 

svētī latvjus, prieka jūsmām 

kas uz sārtu svēti raugās, 

sanākuši drūzmu drūzmām. 

Tautas bērni, garā stipri, 

paceļ sirdis augstās dziesmās, 

kamēr sārta galā vectēvs 

nozūd tīrās, svētās liesmās. 

Krīvu Krīvs jau diezgan mācīj’s, 

diezgan svētīj’s, slavēj’s, rājis, - 

grib uz mājām, grib pie dieviem, 

ko tas mūžam sludinājis. 

Nozūd, izceļas no jauna, 

klusums svēts kad valda dabā, 

sirmie ozoli tad stāsta, 

sirmu teiku tautai glabā. 

- Fricis Brīvzemnieks 


Latvian spirits work freely - 

hew, chop, carry and pile - 

look, how the sacred trees roll by 

and the stately pyre is raised. 

The high priest has taught long enough, 

has blessed, praised and scolded enough - 

he wants to be home, wants to be with the gods 

that he has preached about all his life. 

In honor of his timeless good name 

his people are building 

a stately pyre - to bring the priest 

their last offering. 

so that no alien voice 

may easily reproach his people 

that he was a hypocrite and preached 

what he himself did not solemnly believe, 

our ancient father takes his place in the pyre, 

blessing the Latvian people and elating 

the crowds that throng 

to gaze solemnly at the pyre. 

The Latvian people, strong in spirit, 

raise their voices in uplifting songs 

while within the pyre their ancient father 

disappears in pure and sacred flames. 

The high priest has taught long enough, 

has blessed, praised and scolded enough - 

he wants to be home, wants to be with the gods 

that he has preached about all his life. 

He disappears and starts a new life 

when a hallowed silence reigns in nature, 

when the ancient oaks recount 

the ancient tale they have nurtured for the people. 


“The laTvian 

people RaiSe 

TheiR voiceS 

in uplifTing 

SongS while 

TheiR ancienT 

faTheR 

diSappeaRS 

in SacRed 

flameS.” 

7

“loRd, 

ThRow 

down 

Some 

hoiSTing 

RopeS” 

8 


Ussr nAtIonAL AntHem Alexander Alexandrov 

United forever in friendship and labor, 

The comrades of Lenin will ever endure. 

The Great soviet Union will live through the ages, 

The dreams of a people, their fortress secure. 

Slav’sya Otechestvo, nashe svobodnoye, 

Druzhby narodov nadyozhny oplot, 

Partiya Lenina, sila narodnaya, 

Nas k torzhestvu kommunizma vedyot! 

- Sung in English and Russian 

PÄrIsmAALAse LAULUKe (An ABorIGInAL sonG) Veljo tormis 

estonIA 

translation: 

Tabu, tabu... taboo, taboo... 

- Sung in Polynesian 

nePūsK, VėJeLI (Don’t BLoW, WInD) Folk song, arr. Zigmus Venckus 

LItHUAnIA 

Nepūsk vėjeli per Nemunėli, aš eisiu pas tėvelį. 

Pučia vėjelis, muša vilneles, išdrasko pakraštelius, 

Suluš tiltelis, numirs tėvelis, aš liksu našlaitėlė. 

translation: 

Don’t blow, wind, through nemunelis, I will go to father. 

Blowing winds make waves, rips edges, 

The bridge with crush, father will die, I will become an orphan. 

teomeHe-LAUL (serF’s sonG) Veljo tormis 

estonIA 

Muudel on sängid ja muudel mängid, 

mul ei sängi, mul ei mängi, 

mure minul on ja teomehe hool, 

ei neist pääse kuskile poole. 

Kui mina vaeseke väsind olen, 

kus ma selle koorma panen? 

Mure panen musta parre pääl’, 

hoole heidan õrre pääle. 

Hommikul, tilluke, jälle teole, 

väeti, härra välja pääle, 

mure tuleb parrelt põue taas, 

hool see jookseb õue kaasa. 

Oi Jumal, oi Jumal, jumaluke, 

viska alla vinnaköied, 

et ma üles taeva teomeheks saaks 

Maarja loole, Looja maale. 

- Folklore 


translation: 

Be glorified, our fatherland, united and free! 

Bulwark of people, in brotherhood strong! 

Party of Lenin, the strength of the people, 

It leads us to the triumph of Communism. 

translation: 

others have beds and others have games 

I have neither a bed nor a game, 

trouble I have and a bondman’s care, 

no escape from them. 

When I, poor me, get tired, 

where shall I lay this burden? 

trouble I set on the black beam, 

care I cast on the perch. 

In the morning, bond again for me, the tiny, 

the wee me, onto my master’s field again. 

trouble comes back into my bosom, 

care runs along into the yard. 

oh Lord, dear Lord, 

throw down some hoisting ropes 

so I could enter the heavenly bond, 

make hay for maria in the Creator’s realm.

BArons (BAron) Uldis stabulnieks 

LAtIVA 

translation: 

Te marmora pieminekļi stāv Here a marble monument stands 

Un mēness krizantēmas staro, And moonlight flowers shine. 

Bet stūrītī bez visa kā 

But in a corner without any adornment 

Guļ Lielos kapos jocīgs Barons. A funny Baron lies in the Great Cemetery. 

Ar čuguna ķēdēm jozies viss, 

turpat netālu bagāts sulāns. 

Bet Barons muižas nodzēris 

Ir savas zemes bērzu sulās. 

Kur eņģelis ar roku met, 

Tur Dieva mierā licies bīskaps. 

Pie kapa marmora kāpnes ved, 

Lai Pastardienā vieglāk izkāpt. 

Bet Baronam nav it nekā, 

Jo šeit guļ tikai viņa miesas 

Un tām vairs nebūs jāstaigā 

Pat ne pie Pastardienas tiesas. 

Viņš mūsu priekšā vienmēr viss 

Kā tautasdziesmu ritmi sēri – 

Vislatviskākais latvietis 

Ar tādu uzvārdu kā pēriens. 

Var Baronu vai kņazu saukt, 

Bet ja tev sirdī tavas dainas, 

Tad dzīvei tevi nesabraukt, 

Un it nekas tur neizmainās. 

- Ojārs Vācietis 


everything is wrapped with cast iron chains, 

A rich soldier nearby. 

But the Baron has drank away his manors 

With the birch sap juice of his own homeland. 

Where the angel waves his hand 

A Bishop has found eternal peace. 

marble steps lead to the grave 

so to be easier to climb out on Judgement Day. 

But the Baron has nothing at all, 

For ‘tis only his body that lies here. 

And it will not have to walk, 

even on Judgement Day. 

He is always there before us completely 

Like the sad rhythms of the folk songs. 

The most Latvian of Latvians 

With a surname like a thrashing. 

You may call one Baron or Prince 

But if you have your folk songs in your heart, 

Life will not trample you down 

And nothing changes whatsoever. 


“if you have youR folk SongS in youR heaRT, 

life will noT TRample you down” 

- IntermIssIon - 

9


“i’d like To Sing 

a Song.” 

10 

BUnKUrs (BUnKer) Anonymous 

LAtVIA 

translation: 

Tur mežā mazā bunkurītī, There, in the forest, in a small bunker 

Ko tumšas egles gādīgi sedz, Generously hidden by dark spruce trees 

Tur logā tikai īsu brīdi Through the window, only for a short moment 

Sauli debesu zilumā redz. one can see the sun in the blue sky. 

No rīta tos modina strazdi, 

Kad migla vēl purvājus tin; 

Tos nebiedē čekistu slazdi, 

Jo slepenas takas tie zin. 

Tēvi un dēli tur mīt, 

Par Latviju cīnas un krīt, 

Un mežā mazā bunkurītī, 

Laiks stundu pa stundiņai rit. 


KAKsIKPÜHenDUs (DoUBLe DeDICAtIon) Veljo tormis 

estonIA 

1. Ühte laulu tahaks laulda 

Ühte laulu tahaks laulda, ühte ainukest: 

mis kui vägev merelaine kerkiks südamest, 

mis kui vägev merelaine veereks üle maa, 

Kohaks läbi rahva hingest, keelata ei saa. 

kohaks läbi rahva hingest, tõuseks meeste meel. 

Välguksid ju vaimumõõgad suurtetöödeteel. 

Välguksid ju vaimumõõgad kodutaeva all, 

kumaksid öös kuldsemini tähed üleval. 

Ühte laulu tahaks laulda, ühte ainukest: 

mis kui vägev merelaine kerkiks südamest. 

- Gustav Suits 


2. Tähed 

Palju tähti akna taga - ma ei maga, ma ei maga. 

Kui veel hoidsin nukku süles, naersin teie poole üles. 

Vaatlesin teid ammu enne kõike õnnetust ja õnne. 

Vaatlen nüdki - imest ilma - imestelles teile silma. 

Vaatlen nüdki . Äratate härduskihki - 

Nagu... nagu nutaks keegi pihku. 

Oh... Oh neid tähti akna taga! 

Ma ei maga, ei ma maga. 

In the morning the starlings (songbirds) awaken them 

When the mist still covers the bogs; 

They’re not afraid of the Cheka’s traps, 

Because they know secret paths. 

Fathers and sons live there, 

The fight and die for Latvia, 

And in the forest, in the little bunker, 

time passes, hour by hour. 

- trans. Guntis Šmidchens 

translation: 

1. I’d Like to sing a song 

I’d like to sing a song, just this one: 

like a huge wave of sea from the heart, 

that would roll over land like a huge wave of sea, 

That would sough through the spirit of people, with no denial. 

that would sough through the spirit of people, arousing men’s minds. 

The swords of spirit would flash on the way of great deeds. 

The swords of spirit would flash in home skies, 

the stars above would shine brighter at night. 

I’d like to sing a song, just this one: 

like a huge wave of sea from the heart, 

translation: 

2. stars 

many stars behind the window - I’m not sleeping, I’m not sleeping. 

When I was still holding a doll in my lap I used to laugh up to you. 

I watched you long before all the miseries and happiness. 

I watch you now - the wonderful world - admiringly into your eyes 

I watch you now. tender heartedness woken by you - 

As if...as if somebody was crying secretly. 

oh...oh, those stars behind the window! 

I’m not sleeping, I’m not sleeping.

ČIUto Juozas tallat-Kelpša 

LItHUAnIA 

(Daunoj lylio čiuto...) 

Eisim broliai mes laukeliu 

Atta užia smarkus lietus 

Bekim broliai po užuolu 

Mum užuolas ne tevelis 

Jo šakeles ne rankeles 

Jo lapeliai ne žodeliai 

- Juozas Tallat-Kelpša 


translation: 

(tra la la...) 

Come brothers to the field 

There is bluster strong rain 

Flee brothers under the oak 

The oak is not our father 

His lops are not hands 

His leaves are not words. 

- trans. Vytautas Miskinis 

Un tikai sīksto sakņu steigras 

ne vētra izkustas, ne trūkst. 

Tas grib vel dziļāk smilti iegrauzt, 

lai stumbriem speka nepietrūkst. 

Tāpat kā lepno priežu audze 

stāv vienmēr lepni cilvēks īsts. 

Ar sirdi dzimtā zemē audzis, 

viņš nešķiras no zemes sīs. 

Ja vajadzēs, no priedēm vairīs 

viņš katru svešu vetru nost. 

Ne jūru šo, ne dzimto krastu, 

nekad nevienam neatdos. 

- Kārlis Skalbe 



“neiTheR ThiS Sea, 

noR The ShoReS of hiS homeland, 

will he eveR SuRRendeR To anyone.” 

PrIeDes (PIne trees) Valters Kaminskis 

LAtVIA 

translation: 

Salst jūra marta nakšu salā, The sea ices over on frosty march nights, 

un puteņi vēl sniegu mēž 

and snow is still swept along by storms, 

kad staltās piredes kāpu galā while the lofty pines at the top of the dunes 

jau loka pavasara vējš. 

are already swaying in the spring wind. 

And only their tenacious root fibres 

neither budge in the storm, nor break, 

They wish to gnaw into the sand even deeper, 

so that the tree will not want for strength. 

Just like the proud pine trees, 

always proudly stands a real man. 

With his heart rooted in his homeland, 

he will not part from this land. 

If need be, from the pine trees 

he will ward off every alien storm. 

neither this sea, nor the shores of his homeland, 

will he ever surrender to anyone. 

11

12 


VArJeLe, JUmALA, soAstA (GoD ProteCt Us From WAr) Veljo tormis 

estonIA 

translation: 

Varjele, vakainen Luoja, shelter us, Almighty God, 

Kaiste, kaunoinen Jumala protect us, fair God 

kaviosta vainovarsain, 

from the feud-foal’s hoofs, 

sorkista sotahevosten, 

from the cloven feet of the war horse, 

rauan valkian varasta, 

from the cutting iron, 

terän tuiman tutkaimesta, from the blunt point of a sword, 

tykin suuren suun e’estä, 

from the mouth of a gun, 

rautakirnujen kiasta, 

from long rifles, 

suurilta sotakeoilta, 

from wide battlefields, 

uron tappotanterilta, 

from grounds of manslaughter, 

varjele vahingon teiltä, 

shelter us from roads of harm, 

kaiste kaikista pahoista! 

protect us from all evil! 

Varjele, vakainen Luoja, shelter us, Almighty God, 

Kaiste, kaunoinen Jumala! protect us, fair God! 

- Kanteletar II: 323, 326 

- Sung in Finnish 

- trans. Kaja Kappel 

“may They 

neveR lack 

STRengTh 

To woRk 

TowaRdS 

lighT and 

fReedom” 

PIe BALtIJAs JūrAs (BY tHe BALtIC seA) Jānis straume 

LAtVIA 

Pie Baltijas jūras, kur ziemelis šņāc 

un daba vēl stingra un cieta; 

kur bangas pret klintīm šķeldamās krāc, 

tur latviešu dzimtenes vieta. 

Tur vīri, kas klintīm līdzīgi griež 

pret aukām bez izbailēm krūtis 

un nešaubās arī, kad jāizcieš 

daudz’ cīniņi sīvi un grūti. 

Dod, Debesu tētīt, tiem spēkus aizvien 

par gaismu un brīvību strādāt, 

lai negurst un nerimst pat nebaltu dien’ 

par dzimteni pūlēties, gādāt! 

Tad Latvija mūžam zaļos un zels 

par spīti aukām un briesmām, 

un dēli tai diženu slavu cels 

ar darbiem un varenām dziesmām. 

- Jānis Straume 


translation: 

By the Baltic sea, where the north wind howls 

and nature is still harsh and hard, 

where breakers crash on the rocks with a roar, 

there Latvians have their homeland. 

There live men who, like the rocks, turn 

their chests fearlessly against the gales 

and do not waver if they have to sustain 

many a fierce and difficult battle. 

Dear God, may they never lack strength 

to work towards light and freedom, 

even in hardship may they not weary and cease 

in their efforts to provide for their homeland! 

Then Latvia will forever flourish and bloom 

in spite of gales and dangers, 

and our sons will bring her fame and glory 

with their toil and their mighty songs.

Mu isamaa on minu arm, 

ei teda jäta ma, 

ja peaksin sada surma ma 

seepärast surema. 

Kas laimab võõra kadedus 

sa siiski elad südames, 

mu isamaa. 


ja tahan puhata, 

su rüppe heidan unele 

mu püha Eestimaa. 

Su linnud und mul laulavad, 

mu põrmust lilled õitsetad, 

mu isamaa. 

- Lydia Koidula 



mU IsAmAA on mInU Arm (LAnD oF mY FAtHers) Gustav ernesaks 

estonIA 

translation: 


Land of my fathers, land that I love, 

kell’ südant annud ma, 

I’ve given my heart to her, 

sull’ laulan ma, mu ülem õnn, I sing to you, my supreme happiness, 

mu õitsev Eestimaa. 

my flourishing estonia. 

Su valu südames mul keeb, 

Your pain boils in my heart, 

su õnn ja rõõm mind rõõmsaks teeb, Your happiness and joy make me happy too, 

mu isamaa. 

Land of my fathers. 


I can’t abandon her. 

For her a hundred times 

I shall give my life. 

envy makes strangers slander you 

You are still alive in my heart, 

Land of my fathers! 


I want to have a rest. 

I will lie down in your lap for eternal sleep 

my holy estonia. 

Your birds are singing me to sleep, 

Flowers are blooming from me, 

Land of my fathers. 

PUt VeJInI (BLoW WInD) Folk song, arr. Andrejs Jurjans 

LAtVIA 

Put, vejiņi, dzen laivinų 

Aizdzen mani Kurzemē 

Kurzemniece man solija 

Sav’ meitiņu malējiņ. 

Solīt sola, bet nedeva, 

Teic man’ lielu dzērājiņ’. 

Kuru krogu es iz dzēru, 

Kam noskrēju kūmeliņ? 

Pats par savu naudu dzēru, 

Pats skrēj savu kūmeliņ. 

- Folk Song 


translation: 

Blow wind, drive my boat, 

Drive me to Kurzeme. 

A woman from Kurzeme promised me 

Her daughter as a bride. 

she promised, but did not fulfill the promise, 

Calling me a drunkard. 

Where is the tavern where I drank too much, 

Whose horse did I run down? 

I drink for my own money 

And ride my own horse. 

13

14 


LAIsVé (FreeDom) e. masyté, r. Petrauskas 

LItHUAnIA 

translation: 

Aš jau nepakeliu minčių apie tave! 

I can’t take these thoughts about you anymore 

Kaip obelis, apsunkusi nuo vaisių, 

Like an apple tree heavy with fruits, 

Užlaužiu tragiškai nusvirusias rankas, I twist my tragically dropped hands, 

O tu sakai: “Stovėk, kaip stovi laisvė!” And you say: “stand like Freedom stands!” 

Tai uždaryk mane, Tėvyne, savyje, 

Kaip giesmę gerklėje mirtis uždaro, 

Taip, kaip uždaro vakarą naktis, 

O tu man atsakai: “Aštavo laisvė!” 

O nesibaigianti kelionė į tave! 

Jau kaip akmuo šalikelėj suklupęs 

Aš pilku vakaru lyg samanom dengiuos, 

O tu sakai: “Eik taip, kaip eina laisvė!” 

- Justinas Marcinkevičius 


Photo credit: Associated Press/Robert Tonsing 

so lock me, motherland, inside you, 

Like death closes the anthem in my throat, 

Like night closes evening, 

And you answer to me: “I am your freedom!” 

oh, the endless journey into you! 

Just like a rock prostrated near the roadside, 

I cover myself with grey evening like moss, 

And you say: “Walk like Freedom walks!” 

Older residents of Tallinn, the capital of the Baltic Republic of Estonia, join hands on August 24, 1989, in a giant human 

chain that stretched from their capital to the Lithuanian capital of Vilnius in a symbol of Baltic solidarity.

Kui tornides juba lööb kella hääl, 

Merd haarab vadaduspüüd. 

Et saatust ja elu kaitseda, 

kolm õde virguvad nüüd. 

Ärgake Baltimaad! 


Trīs māsas jūras malā stāv, 

Tās nespēks un nogurums māc. 

Tur bradāta zeme un dvēseles, 

Trīs tautu gods un prāts. 

Bet torņos jau likteņa zvani skan, 

Un jūra bogoties sāk. 

Trīs māsas no miega modušas, 

Par sevi pastāvēt nāk. 

Atmostas Baltija! 


- All words by Boriss Rezniks 


AtmostAs BALtIJA (tHe BALtICs Are WAKInG UP) Boriss rezniks 

LItHUAnIA, LAtVIA, estonIA 

translation: 

Prie jūros miega sesės trys 

Three sisters sleep by the sea 

Jas slegia pančiai, neviltis 

They are plagued by shackles and despair 

Klajoja lyg elgeta pajūriu 

Wandering like a beggar along the seashore 

Dvasia tautu garbės 

Honoring the spirit of the nations 

Bunda Jau Baltija! 

The Baltics are waking up! 


When the clock strikes, the voices of the sisters 

Attempt to seize the freedom of the sea. 

Their fate and life, 

The sisters of virguvad now face. 


Three sisters standing at the edge of the sea, 

These feelings of fatigue and tiredness. 

There paddle the earth and the soul, 

Three people of honor and intellect. 

But the towers are already sounding bells of fate, 

And the sea bangoties begins. 

Three sisters from sleep arise, 

Poised to come into existence. 


“The BalTicS aRe waking up!” 

LeeLo traditional, arr. mart saar 

estonIAn 

translation: 

(Leelo...) 

(tra la la...) 

Mis need ohjad meida hoidsid, How the reins did hold us, 

Mis need köied meida köitsid, How the ropes did bind us, 

Mis need ohjad meida hoidsid, How these did hold us, 

sidemed, mis hoisid meida, These ties, how they did hold us, 

Ihkasime ikkest lahti, 

We craved to become free from oppression, 

orjusest ju pästa vabaks! to become free from slavery. 

15

THE SINGING REVOLUTION: - Cantus

You also want an ePaper? Increase the reach of your titles

Delete template?

Save as template?