This time, I thought it'd be interesting to also include the text in both Vlax Romani (the original text of the song) and Balkan Romani (the variety spoken here). I've also decided to include both the original and the "Gypsy Jazz" versions, whichever one prefers. And what better to start with, than the "Romani Anthem" itself:
1. Đelem Đelem [I went, I went]
Original version: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lcyZS2plxvk
Gypsy Jazz version: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZeVL0BSvSFU
Đelem, đelem, lungone dromesa, Maladilem šukare rromensa (original) Maladilem čorore rromensa (Gypsy-Jazz) Đelem, đelem, lungone dromesa, Maladilem baxtale rromensa. Aah, rromale, aah čhavale! Ala voliv lake kale jakha, Kaj si gugle sar duj kale drakha. Aah, rromale, aah čhavale! Ḱindem laḱe lolo dikhlo tursko, Ni volil man, ačhel latar pusto. Ḱindem laḱe lolo dikhlo tursko, Ni manǵel man, ačhel latar pusto. Aah, rromale, aah čhavale! | Geljum, geljum, dugone dromeja, Sretningjum šukare romenca Sretningjum čorole romenca Geljum, geljum, dugone dromeja, Sretningjum bahtale romenca. Aah romale(n), aah čhavale(n)! Ala volinava (mangava) lakere kale jakha, Kaj tane gudle sar duj kale drakha. Aah romale(n), aah čhavale(n)! Ḱingjum lake loli mahrama turski, Na volinela man, ačhela latar pusti. Ḱingjum lake loli mahrama turski, Na mangela man, ačhela latar pusti. Aah romale(n), aah čhavale(n)! | I went, I went, (along) a long road, I met beautiful people (Roma), I met poor people (Roma), I went, I went, (along) a long road, I met happy people. Aah people (Roma), aah children! Aah (how much) I love her black eyes, Which are (as) sweet as two black grapes. Aah people (Roma), aah children! I bought a red turkish kerchief for her, (but) she doesn't love me.. (so it) was left abandoned. I bought a red turkish kerchief for her, since she doesn't love me.. it was left abandoned. Aah people (Roma), aah children! |
I've also decided to give a shot to something Balkan on this thread, and I've recently translated an Arli classic, so I thought about also posting it in here as well. Romani songs are very beautiful and full of soul. Many of them have nice lyrics, about which people don't even have an idea. Here is an old ballad:
2. Bašal mange, gitaro [Play for me, o guitar]
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FNmCeTvK_s4
Bašal mange gitaro, Mo vogi tharo-i tano. To bašalibe te resel dži olate, Te marel o lakere vudareste. Ked ka šunel man tuja sar giljavava, Tega me džanava kad ola anava. Ked ka avel oj, Ked ka šunel i gili, Sa ka phravgjol. Hem mo vilo, O lakere čumjondar, Ka takjol, ked ka rakjol. Mo kamipe mangipastar, Ka dživgjol, Mo vogi ka dživgjol. Bašal mange gitaro, Bašalibe rovavno. O asva so perena ko mutno pajnja, Rakje na dikjon keda isi ćerejnja. Bašal gitaro, me jakhja phravde tane, Dži ked oj avel, mo vogi te iranel. | Play for me, o guitar, My soul is burning. May your song (lit. playing) reach her, May it (the song) knock on her door. When she hears me singing with you, Then I know when I'm bringing her. [I understand this part as "then I'll know when I'll be able to bring her (the girl) with me"] When she comes, When she hears the song, Everything will become open (everything will burst out) And my heart, Will get warm, From her kisses, when the night comes. My desire from love, Will awaken (lit. revive) My soul will awaken. Play for me, o guitar, A weeping song. The tears which fall in the blurry water, Aren't visible at night, when there are stars. Play, o guitar, my eyes are open, Until she comes to return my soul. |