Sari Gelin Explained

Sari Gelin (Azerbaijani: Sarı Gəlin, Azerbaijani: سارؽ گلین; Persian: دامن کشان|Dâman Kešân) or Sari Aghjik (Armenian: Սարի աղջիկ|Sāri Āγčīk) is the name for a number of folk songs popular among the people of Iran, the southern Caucasus (most prominently present-day Azerbaijan and Armenia) and in eastern Anatolia in present-day Turkey. All versions of the song use the same melody and are written in the Bayati makam or mode, but are sung with different lyrics.[1] The consensus about its country of origin is contested.[1]

Sari Gelin is either a blond bride or a girl from the mountains, depending on the respective lyric language. What the versions have in common, is a boy complaining to/about a girl he loves but cannot achieve.[1]

Etymology

In Armenian, the song is known as Sari Aghjik, where the word sari (սարի) means "of the mountain", and the word "aghjik", with an equal syllable number, means "girl".[2] Together they mean "girl/bride from the mountains".

In Azerbaijani and Turkish the song is known as Sari Gelin, sarı as a Turkic adjective means "yellow". The word gelin or gəlin means someone who comes to the family (i.e. a bride). Thus Sarı Gelin can mean "golden/blond/fair-skinned bride."

Versions

All versions of Sari Gelin-Sari Aghjik use the same melody and are written in the literary genre known as Bayati, which is one of the most popular forms of poetry in most of the Middle East. Bayati poetry is known for its reflective and introspective prose. Generally, Bayati poetry consists of lines of seven syllables written in a simple rhythm.[3] However, There are many different lyrical interpretations of Sari Gelin among Armenians, Azerbaijanis, Georgians, Persians, and Turks. The song is a subject of contention and accusations of plagiarism among the countries where it is popular. At the moment, there is no consensus about its country of origin.

Armenian Sari Aghjik

The Sari Aghjik (Mountain Girl) version uses the same melody with the Armenian word for the girl (aghjik աղջիկ) as in the song Vard Siretsi ("I loved a rose").[4] [5] Both Armenian versions, are about the boy complaining that the unkind girl has rejected him.[6] In Armenian Sari Aghjik, the girl has chosen someone else over him. The lyrics translate to:[7] [1]

Վարդ սիրեցի՝ փուշ դառավ,
Դլե յաման, (×3),

Գնաց, ուրիշին առավ ...
Ա՜խ, մերըդ մեռնի,
սարի աղջիկ, օ՜յ, օ՜յ,
Քարի աղջիկ, օյ, օյ,
Քար սիրտ աղջիկ, օյ, օյ,
Չար սիրտ աղջիկ:

Գնաց, ուրիշին առավ,
Դլե յաման, լեյլի յար ջան.

I loved a rose, it turned to thorns,
My heart yaman! (×3)

She left and chose someone else,
Akh

let your mother die!
You mountain girl, oy oy
you stone girl, oy oy,
you stone-hearted girl, oy oy,
you wicked-hearted girl.

She left and chose someone else
My heart yaman

Leyli dear beloved (Persian-Armenian)
Մինուճարիս մեղքացիր,
Դլե յաման, (×3)

Թույն մի ածա թեժ վերքիս ...
Ա՜խ մերըդ մեռնի,
սարի աղջիկ, օ՜յ, օ՜յ ...
Քարի աղջիկ, օյ, օյ,
Քար սիրտ աղջիկ, օյ, օյ,
Չար սիրտ աղջիկ:

Թույն մի ածա թեժ վերքիս ...
Դլե յաման, լեյլի յար ջան.

Take pity on my only child
My heart yaman! (×3)

Don't pour poison into (salt on) my wound.
Akh

let your mother die!
You mountain girl, oy oy
you stone girl, oy oy,
you stone-hearted girl, oy oy,
you wicked-hearted girl.

Don't pour poison into my wound
My heart yaman

Leyli dear beloved.
Եղնիկ եմ՝ նետը կրծքիս,
Դըլե յաման, (×3)

Տիրել ես խելք ու մտքիս ...
Ա՜խ մերըդ մեռնի, սարի աղջիկ, օ՜յ, օ՜յ ...
Քարի աղջիկ, օյ, օյ,
Քար սիրտ աղջիկ, օյ, օյ,
Չար սիրտ աղջիկ:

Տիրել ես խելք ու մտքիս ...
Դլե յաման, լեյլի յար ջան.

I am a deer with an arrow in my chest
My heart yaman! (×3)

You have possessed my thoughts and my mind.
Akh, may your mother die


You mountain girl, oy oy
you stone girl, oy oy,
you stone-hearted girl, oy oy,
you wicked-hearted girl.

You have possessed my thoughts and my mind.
My heart yaman! Leyli dear beloved

The phrase "Don't pour poison into (salt on) my wound" is an idiom that means "don't make my troubles worse".

Azerbaijani Sarı Gəlin

In Azerbaijan, Sarı Gəlin (Blond Maiden) is a legend that symbolizes the love between a Muslim Azerbaijani and a Christian Armenian girl who are kept apart.[8] [9]

Saçın ucun hörməzlər,
gülü sulu dərməzlər,
Sarı Gəlin.
You don't braid the end of your hair,
you don't pick a dewy flower.
yellow (blond, fair) bride
bu sevda nə sevdadır,
səni mənə verməzlər;
neynim aman, aman, (×2)
Sarı Gəlin.
What a love is this love!
they will not give you to me.
what can I do? aman
(secure me! / help/ please!) aman(×2)
yellow bride
bu dərənin uzunu,
çoban qaytar quzunu,
Sarı Gəlin.
The tallest of this valley,
shepherd, return the lamb,
yellow bride.
nə ola bir gün görəm,
nazlı yarın üzünü;
neynim aman, aman, (×2)
Sarı Gəlin.
I wish that one day I could see
the face of my playful love
what can I do? aman! aman
(×2)
yellow bride.
Gün ola mən bir görəydim
Nazlı yarımın üzünü
Neynim aman, aman (×2)
Sarı gəlin
Could there be a day I would see (correct translation?)
the face of my playful love
what can I do? aman! aman
(×2)
yellow bride.

The Azerbaijani version of the song was processed[10] and pitched by Azerbaijani composer Asaf Zeynally (1909–1932).[11]

The text of the song in the Azerbaijani language was published in 1982 in Baku under the edition of Hamid Arasly.[12] In 2001 the Azerbaijani text of the song was published by Rafik Babayev.[13]

Azerbaijani long version

DayIrMan sings a longer Azerbaijani version, which translates to:[14] [15] [16]

Don't braid the end of your hair,Don't pluck the flower while it's young, yellow bride.Don't braid the end of your hair,Don't pluck the flower while it's young, yellow bride.

You were born for love with me; / We were born to love each other;You are the only one; on earth, in life, in the sky.You are my sunshine, my fire.I fell in love with you on a moonlit nightThe sun, a man and yellow bride;The only star, land and your breath,I love life, life is you.My eyes that see you are full of eagerness,You came into my dream like a ray, yellow bride.

What kind of love is this? They won't let me marry you.What should I do, what should I do, yellow bride?What kind of love is this? They won't give you to me.

It's me, looking for you among the stars.Answer me, don't break my heart!I will breathe with your warm breath,I will remember you all my life,Enough

dry your tears, don't cry!Don't keep the fire in your heart too long,Your destined happiness is written on your forehead.Pure love within one night.But this is only a dream and you are in my dream,You are my yellow bride among my wishes.

What kind of love is this? They won't let us marry.What should I do, what should I do, yellow bride?What kind of love is this? They won't give you to me.

It's us, only us and the sky,You came to me in this utter night.The light woke me up,And we got separated among the stars.Oh, God, hear my crying,I felt this sharp pain in my heart,Love is a game and I was winning,I couldn't imagine such an end.But you wanted death,You achieved your goal in the end, yellow bride.

What kind of love is this? They won't let me marry you.What should I do, what should I do, yellow bride?You are my yellow bride,You are my yellow bride.

Along this valley,Give the lamb back to me, shepherd ...You are my yellow bride ...

Turkish Sarı Gelin

Erzurum çarşı Pazar,
leylim aman! aman
(×2)
sarı gelin.

İçinde bir kız gezer,
ay! nenen ölsün,
sarı gelin aman

(×3)
suna yarim.
In the bazaar of Erzurum,
my Leyli, aman! (secure me
/ help! / please) aman! (×2)
yellow (or blond) bride.

A girl is walking around,
oh, may your grandma die


my yellow bride, aman! (×3)
my tall beautiful dear.
Elinde divit kalem,
leylim aman! aman
(×2)
sarı gelin.

Dertlere derman yazar,
/ Katlime ferman yazar,
ay! nenen ölsün,
Sarı gelin aman

(×3)
suna yarim.
With the paper/ink and pen in her hand
my Leyli, aman! aman
(×2)
yellow bride.

She writes the prescription for my pains,
/ She writes the sentence to my assassination,
oh, may your grandma die!
my yellow bride aman, (×3)
my tall beautiful dear.

Erzurum'da bir kuş var
leylim aman! aman
(×2)
sarı gelin.

Kanadında gümüş var,
ay! nenen ölsün,
sarı gelin aman

(×3)
suna yarim.
There's a bird (girl) in Erzurum
my Leyli, aman! aman
(×2)
yellow bride.

It (She) has silver in its wings,
oh, may your grandma die!
my yellow bride, aman

(×3)
my tall beautiful dear.
Palandöken güzel dağ,
leylim aman! aman
(×2)
sarı gelin.

Altı mor sümbüllü bağ
ay nenen ölsün
sarı gelin aman! (×3)
suna yarim.

Palandoken is a beautiful mountain,
my Leyli, aman! aman
(×2)
yellow bride.

Underneath has garden with purple hyacinth,
oh, may your grandma die!
my yellow bride aman

(×3)
my tall beautiful dear.
Vermem seni ellere,
leylim aman! aman
(×2)
sarı gelin.

Niceki bu halimse,
ay! nenen ölsün,
sarı gelin aman

(×3)
suna yarim.
I don't give you to others,
my Leyli, aman! aman
(×3)
yellow bride.

Till I am well (alive),
oh, may your grandma die!
my yellow bride, aman

(×2)
My tall beautiful dear.

Kurdish Ser Le Ser Ranî

There are versions of this song in Sorani,[17] the Kurdish language that is predominantly spoken in Iran and Iraqi Kurdistan. One of these versions was performed by Mohammad Mamle, a well-known Kurdish singer.

Yar bo min bê wefa bû
Ser leser rranî, taku beyanî
Bûn be mîwanî nazenînim
My boyfriend was not faithful for me
He put his head on her thigh until the morning
She was my lover's (new) guest
Dostî namîhrebanî
Ser leser rranî, taku beyanî
Bûn be mîwanî nazenînim
He is not a merciful lover
He put his head on her thigh until the morning
She was my lover's (new) guest
Zorim hewll legel da
Ser leser rranî, taku beyanî
Bûn be mîwanî nazenînim
I've tried so hard with him
He put his head on her thigh until the morning
She was my lover's (new) guest
Bê xeber bûm nemzanî
Ser leser rranî, taku beyanî
Bûn be mîwanî nazenînim
I didn't know about it
He put his head on her thigh until the morning
She was my lover's (new) guest

Persian Dāman Kešān

The Persian version is entitled Dāman Kešān (Persian: دامن کشان|rtl=yes) or Sāqi e Mey Xārān (Persian: ساقی می خواران|rtl=yes).

،دامن کشان
،ساقی می خواران
،از کنار یاران
،مست و گیسو افشان
.می گریزد
Dragging her skirt,
The cup-bearer of wine drinkers,
past her suitors/friends,
inebriated and with flowing hair,
flees.
،در جام می
،از شرنگ دوری
،وز غم مهجوری
،چون شرابی جوشان
.می بریزد
In the goblet of wine,
from the sorrow of separation,
and from the grief of parting,
like boiling wine,
she pours.
دارم قلبی لرزان ز غمش؛
.دیده شد نگران
،ساقی می خواران
،از کنار یاران
،مست و گیسو افشان
.می گریزد
I have a heart trembling because of her sorrow;
my eyes have become distressed.
The cup-bearer of wine drinkers,
past her suitors/friends,
inebriated and with flowing hair,
flees.
دارم چشمی گریان ز رهش؛
.روز و شب بشمارم تا بیاید
I have an eye crying before her way;
I count days and nights until she comes.
آزرده دل
،از جفای یاری
،بی وفا دلداری
،ماه افسونکاری
.شب نخفتم
Heartbroken
from the anguish of a sweetheart,
a disloyal beloved,
a charming moonlike beauty,
I didn't sleep at night.
با یادش تا
،دامن از کف دادم
،شد جهان از یادم
.راز عشقش در دل تا نهفتم
With her memory,
as I lost control,
I forgot the world,
while I hid the secret of her love in my heart.
ز چشمانش ریزد به دلم
.شور عشق و امید
،دامن از کف دادم
،شد جهان از یادم
.راز عشقش در دل تا نهفتم
From her eyes she pours into my heart
the sensation of love and hope.
I lost control,
I forgot the world,
while I hid the secret of her love in my heart.
دارم چشمی گریان ز رهش؛
.روز و شب بشمارم تا بیاید
I have an eye crying before her way;
I count day and night until she comes.

Greek Απ΄ τον Έρωτα στον Αχέροντα (Ap ton Erota ston Akheronta)

The composer of the music is anonymous. The Greek lyrics were written by Christos C. Papadopoulos.[18]

Parallels

While the Persian version is completely different, there are notable similarities between Armenian, Azerbaijani and Turkish version:

If the statements are taken as complementary rather than just similar, the Muslim Turk (language of both Azerbaijan and Turkey) boy has fallen in love with a Christian Armenian/Kipchak blond maiden from the mountains and valleys, probably close to Palandöken; But they are kept apart, and the unkind girl is taken away, causing the boy to lament and curse frequently.

Cultural impact

In Armenia

In Azerbaijan

In Iran

In Turkey

International

See also

Notes and References

  1. Ottman history, Episode 35: Sari Galin between Azerbaijan, and Turkey by Chris Gratien from Georgetown University Podcast and Pdf
  2. Web site: Why "Sari Aghjik" is an Armenian song . 30 April 2015 . sari-aghjik.com.
  3. http://karabakhfoundation.com/06/sari-gelin/ karabakh foundation Sarı Gelin blog
  4. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uKq6IboPzNU Video
  5. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6GSkob2-suM Video
  6. Web site: Sari Gelin - Who Does it Really Belong To? . Caspian Report.
  7. http://oxumaq.wordpress.com/2007/01/16/sari-gəlin/ Armenian lyrics
  8. Ottman history, Episode 35: Sari Galin between Azerbaijan, and Turkey by Chris Gratien from Georgetown University Podcast and Pdf
  9. Web site: What is the origin of Sari Gelin? . Tert.
  10. [Uzeyir Hajibeyov|Гаджибеков У. А.]
  11. Эльшана Агасиева. Социально-философская сущность азербайджанского музыкального фольклора как средство, сохраняющее особенности характера азербайджанцев // Мир культуры. — Баку: Азербайджанский государственный университет культуры и искусств, 2010. — В. ХХ. — С. 51.
  12. Azərbaycan klassik ədəbiyyatı kitabxanası. I cild. Bakı, 1982. 512 pp. Page 500.
  13. "Min bir mahnı" kitabı. II nəşr. El-Alliaance, Bakı, 2001. 511 pp. Page 270.
  14. http://www.aboutus.org/DayIrMan.com DayIrMan
  15. http://azeri.org/Azerbaijani/az_latin/latin_music/dayirman/dayirman.html "Leyla va Deyirman"
  16. http://azeri.org/Azerbaijani/az_latin/latin_music/dayirman/dayirman_english/yellow_bride.html Translation
  17. Web site: Ser le ser ranî - سه‌ر له‌ سه‌ر ڕانی. 14 January 2017.
  18. Web site: stixoi.info:Απ΄ τον Έρωτα στον Αχέροντα. 4 February 2017.
  19. Sarı Gelin video in Azerbaijani with narration of the story
  20. Web site: Pavel Lisitsian was a superb interpreter of Armenian (folk) songs and one of the most popular singers of the Sovjet Union..
  21. Web site: Pavel Lisitsian Sings Armenian Songs With Maro Ajemian At The Piano.
  22. http://life.mediamall.am/?id=59133 Անդրեի «Սարի աղջիկ» տեսահոլովակը արդեն պատրաստ է
  23. http://www.times.am/?p=35819&l=am Սարի աղջիկը հայկական երգ է ռազմական օպերացիան իրականավեց. Անդրե
  24. https://armenpress.am/arm/news/777577 Էմմին ներկայացրել է «Սարի աղջիկ» երգի իր տեսահոլովակը
  25. Web site: BACKSTAGE. Ինչպես են ընթանում "Սարի աղջիկ" հեռուստասերիալի նկարահանումները (ֆոտո/վիդեո). News.am. 25 September 2020. 25 December 2020. hy.
  26. https://web.archive.org/web/20151011014354/http://www.nytimes.com/movies/movie/232913/Sari-Gelin/overview Sari Galin (1999)
  27. http://www.artistdirect.com/nad/store/movies/synopsis/0,,2230158,00.html Mark Deming, Rovi
  28. https://www.amazon.com/Music-Azerbaijan-Sari-Gelin-Ensemble/dp/B00187PNA6 Amazon.com: Music from Azerbaijan - Sari Gelin Ensemble
  29. Sari Galin (band)Tower Records. Music from Azerbaijan
  30. http://azertag.az/en/xeber/Latvian_Eurovision_2012_representative_to_produce_clip_Sari_Gelin_folk_song-226215 Latvian Eurovision-2012 representative to produce clip "Sari Gelin" folk song
  31. http://www.eurovisionaz.com/the-news/414-sarigelin Anmary performed "Sari Gelin" (Video)
  32. http://www.news.az/articles/culture/85245 Toto Cutugno sings Sari Gelin in Azerbaijani language in Baku
  33. http://www.1news.az/bomond/bomaz/20141124124458290.html Лара Фабиан исполнила в Баку песню «Sarı gəlin»
  34. Web site: Сами Юсуф спел песню "Сары гелин" . 20 December 2014 . 22 December 2014 . https://web.archive.org/web/20141222201354/http://izvestiya.az/nov/10851 . dead .
  35. http://echo.az/article.php?aid=71608 Сами Юсуф исполнил азербайджанскую народную песню "Сары гялин"
  36. http://www.azadliq.org/content/article/26604452.html Sami Yusuf's version of the song
  37. http://echo.az/article.php?aid=75654 Оксана Расулова в образе Sarı gəlin
  38. Web site: Jurek. Thom. Endless Vision. 26 September 2016.
  39. Salutes this year's GRAMMY Independent Label Nominees. Billboard. 6 Jan 2007. 119. 63. 26 September 2016.
  40. Web site: Endless Vision. World Village Records. 14 September 2014. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20141216072520/http://www.worldvillagemusic.com/albums?id=64. 16 December 2014. dmy-all.
  41. Web site: Endless Vision. Hermes Records. 26 September 2016.
  42. https://itunes.apple.com/fr/album/kardes-turkuler/id598302681 iTunes: Kardeş Türküler - Kardeş Türküler album
  43. Baydar, Yavuz. "'Sari Gelin' DVD should have no place in schools" . Today's Zaman. 20 February 2009. Accessed 5 July 2009 Excerpt: "referring to an old Armenian song "Sarı Gyalin", later adopted into Turkish".
  44. http://www.hraparak.am/hodvac.php?h_id=306 Ղարսից մինչև Կանն by Հրապարակ.am retrieved 2009-05-12
  45. Sanar Yurdatapan, 'Turkey: censorship past and present', Shoot the Singer!: Music Censorship Today. Edited by Marie Korpe. (Zed Books: New York, 1994), p. 190.
  46. http://www.todayszaman.com/tz-web/detaylar.do?load=detay&link=167465 Armenian question documentary causes more controversy
  47. Erdem, Suna. "Father sues Turkish Education Ministry over Armenian 'genocide' DVD". The Times.
  48. https://itunes.apple.com/ca/album/centre-bonus-track-version/id913268339 iTunes: Sami Yusuf - The Centre