Songs

Hó, hó, krávy dó

by Leoš Janáček From Říkadla (1924)

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Text & Translation

Hó, hó, krávy dó
Czech source: Traditional

Hó, hó, krávy dó,
nesó mliko pod vodó,
nesó mliko pul zidlíka.
Kde je naše jalová?
U bozího kostela.
Kostel se borí,
stodola horí.
Skoc panenko do vody,
máš tam zlaté korály.
Nac bych já tam skákala,
sukýnky si máchala,
kde bych si je sušila?
U pastýra v koutku,
na zeleném proutku.

How! Now! There's the cows
Czech translation © Anon.

How! Now! there's the cows!
Each one full of milk so creamy,
And their eyes are vain and dreamy.
One cow has no calf at all,
Hides behind the churchyard wall.
Crash! falls the church spire!
The new barn is on fire!
Girl, jump in the water cold,
You'll find corals made of gold.
No, I won't jump, I'll get hurt,
And I'll wet my fine new skirt.
Then how can I get it dry?
Shepherd on the meadow
He will hand it up for you.

Hó, hó, krávy dó
Czech source: Traditional

How! Now! There's the cows
Czech source: Anon.

Hó, hó, krávy dó,
How! Now! there's the cows!
nesó mliko pod vodó,
Each one full of milk so creamy,
nesó mliko pul zidlíka.
And their eyes are vain and dreamy.
Kde je naše jalová?
One cow has no calf at all,
U bozího kostela.
Hides behind the churchyard wall.
Kostel se borí,
Crash! falls the church spire!
stodola horí.
The new barn is on fire!
Skoc panenko do vody,
Girl, jump in the water cold,
máš tam zlaté korály.
You'll find corals made of gold.
Nac bych já tam skákala,
No, I won't jump, I'll get hurt,
sukýnky si máchala,
And I'll wet my fine new skirt.
kde bych si je sušila?
Then how can I get it dry?
U pastýra v koutku,
Shepherd on the meadow
na zeleném proutku.
He will hand it up for you.

Composer

Leoš Janáček

Leoš Janáček was a Czech composer, musical theorist, folklorist, publicist and teacher. He was inspired by Moravian and other Slavic folk music to create an original, modern musical style.

Poet

Traditional

Traditional

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