Songs

Polajka, 'Honeysuckle'

by Leoš Janáček From Moravian Folk Poetry in Song (1908)

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Text & Translation

Polajka, 'Honeysuckle'
source: Traditional

Polajko, polajko,
dávno zme sa znały,
Ked’ zme sohajovi
społu čarovały.

Nečarovała sem,
ani má mamička,
než mu čarovały
mé černé očička.

Čarovały jemu
Moje černé oči,
Ked’ jich viděł ve dně,
Museł přijít v noci.

Čarovała jemu
Ma biłá hubička,
Ked’ mu ščebetała,
Jako laštovička.

Honeysuckle
English translation © Mimi Doulton

Honeysuckle, we have known each other a long time,
Together we charmed my young man.

I didn‘t enchant him, nor did my mother,
Until my black eyes enchanted him.

They enchanted him – my black eyes –
When he saw them he was sure to return at night.

He was enchanted by my white mouth
When it was whispering like a swallow.

Polajka, 'Honeysuckle'
source: Traditional

Honeysuckle
English source: Mimi Doulton

Polajko, polajko,
Honeysuckle, we have known each other a long time,
dávno zme sa znały,
Together we charmed my young man.
Ked’ zme sohajovi
społu čarovały.

Nečarovała sem,
I didn‘t enchant him, nor did my mother,
ani má mamička,
Until my black eyes enchanted him.
než mu čarovały
mé černé očička.

Čarovały jemu
They enchanted him – my black eyes –
Moje černé oči,
When he saw them he was sure to return at night.
Ked’ jich viděł ve dně,
Museł přijít v noci.

Čarovała jemu
He was enchanted by my white mouth
Ma biłá hubička,
When it was whispering like a swallow.
Ked’ mu ščebetała,
Jako laštovička.

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

Performances

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