Izgrjala e mesechinka – New Balkan Rhythm workshop

Izgrjala e mesechinka is a traditional song from Bulgaria in 9/8 rhythm. This beautiful Bulgarian song is telling a story of a young girl Irina (Irinchica in diminutive) that is picking the flowers during moonlight to enchant her loved one.

There are more lyrics to the song then we present here and they describe how she puts the flowers in her bosom and chants to make her loved one her own. This describes a Slavic magic ritual, that is used to ensure love and fidelity and, ultimately, marriage with the loved one.

The marriages in Balkans, by tradition, were agreed. This means no girl has a way to choose to marry to a man she loves. So, girls would try to connect to the forces of nature to try to change their fate. Parents would make agreements with well-of grooms to be, which made young woman a sort of merchandise to be traded upon. It seems only magic could help young women to choose their loved ones!

Name Irina comes from Greek and means peace.

Have you ever heard a performance of Le Mystere des Voix Bulgares? Here is one on KEXP.

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Original song
Izgrjala e mesechinka

Izgryala e mesechinka
Izgryala e mesechinka
Alyana, galyana, portokalyana
Blaga dushka, medena, sherekyana

Chi ogryala v gradinchica
Chi ogryala v gradinchica
Alyana, galyana, portokalyana
Blaga dushka, medena, sherekyana

V gradinchica Irincica
V gradinchica Irincica
Alyana, galyana, portokalyana
Blaga dushka, medena, sherekyana

Da si bere pstra kitka
Da si bere pstra kitka
Alyana, galyana, portokalyana
Blaga dushka, medena, sherekyana

Translation
The moonlight is shining

The moonlight is shining
The moonlight is shining
Red, yellow, orange
Young dear, honey, sugar

It is shining in the garden
It is shining in the garden
Red, yellow, orange
Young dear, honey, sugar

In the garden is Irinchica
In the garden is Irinchica
Red, yellow, orange
Young dear, honey, sugar

Picking a colorful bouquet
Picking a colorful bouquet
Red, yellow, orange
Young dear, honey, sugar

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