I’m gearing up for the charity concert which is now eleven days away, on May 21st. It turns out that World Vyshyvanka Day is May 18th. We are now adding some Vyshyvanka events to the concert program. The choir now numbers about fifty singers. A friend in Kiev had the chance to watch some videos we recorded at a rehearsal a couple of weeks ago and commented that he could not detect an American accent among our group — always a high compliment when singing in an unfamiliar language. Then he realized that many of the solo parts were being covered by those refugees who have joined us. But it was still nice to hear.
Our plan is to use the music of Ukraine to instill hope and courage. Using our voices we can change the world and make it a better place.
It certainly has helped me to get through the winter.
Earworms?
Yesterday I found a tune by accident that I needed to add to the program. It’s known as “the Ukrainian Children’s National Anthem” and is very popular. It was written for a children’s Tee Vee show. The lyrics, translated into English are:
Ukraine is you
My name is Motherland, a gentle wing of a stork
My name is Ukraine, and heat of the sun
My name is Embroidered Shirt, i'm a stitch on linen
My name is Blue Sky, i'm a little sunflower under it
Father's words: Ukraine is me
Mother's songs: Ukraine is you
My name is wide Steppe
My name is the taste of Bread
Last school bell
Greyheaded mist above the Dnipro 1
My name is Hope
My name is Love
My name is high-minded Dream
And trust that the God with us
Father's words: Ukraine is me
Mother's songs: Ukraine is you
Father's words: Ukraine is me
Mother's songs: Ukraine is yoy
My name is Lullaby
My name is Freedom
My name is Family
My name is kind Word
Which will save the world
Father's words: Ukraine is me
Mother's songs: Ukraine is you
Ukraine is you
https://lyricstranslate.com
It’s not celebrating the bombs bursting in air. It’s not promsing vengeance on the country’s enemies.
Here it is: