“Kupalinka” a Belorussian folk song 

Alexander Rybak has performed this song many times, and it was also the song he performed on his first visit to Belarus since he left in the age of 5.  The video of his performance you’ll find below the lyrics. And if you wonder what the song is about,  read the text below the video. 

KUPALINKA

Transliteration by Zhenya Russian

Kupalínka, kupalínka,
Tseomnaya nochka,
Tseomnaya nochka,
A dze zh tvaya dochka?

Maya dochka ŭ sadochku
Ruzhu, ruzhu polítsʹ,
Ruzhu, ruzhu polítsʹ,
Bely ruchkí kolítsʹ.
Ruzhu, ruzhu polítsʹ,
Bely ruchkí kolítsʹ.

Kupalínka, kupalínka,
Tseomnaya nochka,
Tseomnaya nochka,
A dze zh tvaya dochka?
Tseomnaya nochka,
A dze zh tvaya dochka?

The last verse Alexander usually doesn’t sing in his performance of the song

Kvetachkí rvetsʹ, kvetachkí rvetsʹ,
Vyanochkí zvívae,
Vyanochkí zvívae,
Slyozkí pralívae.

English translation

by Ellen Nl

Kupalinka, Kupalinka
It’s dark in the night
It’s dark in the night
Where is your daughter, Kupalinka?

My daughter is in the garden
She weeds the rose
She weeds the rose
And wounds her white hands
She weeds the rose
And wounds her white hands

Kupalinka, Kupalinka
It’s dark in the night
It’s dark in the night
Where is your daughter, Kupalinka?
It’s dark in the night
Where is your daughter, Kupalinka?

The last verse Alexander usually doesn’t sing in his performances of the song.

She picks the flowers
She picks the flowers
And weaves garlands
She weaves garlands and sheds tears.

About Kupalinka

Source: the blog Migalayte

“Kupalinka” is another well-known Belarusian folk song. It tells about a girl who gathers in the garden of roses and turns them into a wreath. Lyrics related with the ancient pagan holiday of Ivan Kupala, which is celebrated every year on July 6. On this day the youth lights a large bonfires on the banks of rivers, lakes, and then jump over the flames. It is a symbol of youth and health. Girls making wreaths and let them float down the river. If the wreath drift away far away, the girl will marry. If the wreath back to shore, the marriage will not be. If the wreath will drown, then the girl gets sick. And at night the people went into the woods to look for “Paparats-kvetka” (flower of fern). People say that a man who finds a flower, would understand the language of birds and animals, will find all the hidden treasures, open all the secrets of the earth. And now every summer young people gather on the banks of rivers and jumping over the fire. And like thousands of years ago, everyone is looking for “Paparats-kvetka.” And sing this beautiful melodious song.