GOLEM – Chervona Ruta (Червона рута)

NYC klezmer-rock band Golem performs Ukrainian song “Chervona Ruta.” “Chervona Ruta” (Червона рута) is a popular Ukrainian song written by Volodymyr Ivasyuk in 1968.

Chervona ruta (Monarda) (Ukrainian: Червона рута) may refer to a mythological or actual species of flowering plants in the rue genus of the citrus family, Rutaceae, or the rhododendron genus of the heath family, Ericaceae.

“Chervona” is translated from Ukrainian as red. The ruta flower has yellow blooms, but according to legend, on the eve of Ivan Kupala Day, the flower turns red for a very short time on the eve of the summer solstice (celebrated on June 23 or sometimes July 7).

The flower brings fortune to the person who finds it. In various versions of the tale, the fern flower brings luck, wealth, or the ability to understand animal speech. However, the flower is closely guarded by evil spirits and anyone who finds the flower will have access to earthly riches, which have never benefited anyone, so the decision to pick the flower or leave it alone is left up to the individual.

“Chervona Ruta” is a popular Ukrainian song written by Volodymyr Ivasyuk in 1968 and performed by many singers and groups. It was popularised by Ukrainian groups like Smerichka and singer Sofia Rotaru who later formed the Chervona Ruta ensemble.

The song’s initial popularity was followed by a 1971 Ukrainian musical film Chervona Ruta written by Miroslav Skochilyas and directed by Roman Oleksiv, starring Sofia Rotaru and Vasyl Zinkevych alongside other popular Soviet Ukrainian ensembles.

The Chervona Ruta Festival is a biennial music festival in Ukraine, which started in 1989.

LYRICS:

Ти признайся мені Звідки в тебе ті чари Я без тебе всі дні У полоні печалі Може, десь у лісах Ти чар-зілля шукала Сонце-руту знайшла І мене зчарувала? Червону руту Не шукай вечорами Ти у мене єдина Тільки ти, повір! Бо твоя врода То є чистая вода То є бистрая вода З синіх гір Бачу я тебе в снах У дібровах зелених По забутих стежках Ти приходиш до мене І не треба нести Мені квітку надії Бо давно уже ти Увійшла в мої мрії Червону руту Не шукай вечорами Ти у мене єдина Тільки ти, повір! Бо твоя врода То є чистая вода То є бистрая вода З синіх гір Червону руту Не шукай вечорами Ти у мене єдина Тільки ти, повір! Бо твоя врода То є чистая вода То є бистрая вода З синіх гір То є бистрая вода З синіх гір То є бистрая вода З синіх гір

You confess to me Where did you get those charms from? I am without you all days Captivated by sadness Maybe somewhere in the woods You were looking for a charm potion The sun found Ruta And you charmed me? Red rue Do not search in the evenings You are my only one Only you, believe me! Because you are beautiful That is pure water That is fast water From the blue mountains I see you in my dreams In the forests of green On forgotten paths you come to me And you don’t have to carry it I have a flower of hope Because you have been for a long time Entered my dreams Red rue Do not search in the evenings You are my only one Only you, believe me! Because you are beautiful That is pure water That is fast water From the blue mountains Red rue Do not search in the evenings You are my only one Only you, believe me! Because you are beautiful That is pure water That is fast water From the blue mountains That is fast water From the blue mountains That is fast water From the blue mountains