Ukranian Music
Folk and Modern Fusion
Ukrainian heritage spans as far back as the 11th century in Kyiv. Their people have endured centuries of oppression by Russia and Poland, only to become a sovereign nation when the Soviet Union collapsed in 1991.
Since my first experience with Eurovision, I have been enraptured with the music that comes out of Ukraine. Such unique music, topics, and instrumentation that is frequently merging folk traditions and modern popular musical styles. The Ukranian music is extraordinary in so many ways. I love the way that they merge modern and old, respecting their roots and simultaneously paying attention to the world around them. They speak very openly about things they disagree with, while honoring their ancestors and the land they inhabit. This is a culture that has endured many tragedies and yet remains culturally intact. I think that is something to respect and admire. The spirit of the people never dies.
I was quite devastated that they have had to endure an unwelcome war that they never started. I deeply desired to visit their country to experience their culture first-hand to see where the inspiration for their fantastic music came from. However, due to the invasion, my family has not had the opportunity to experience this beautiful country and may not be able to for quite some time. I do hope that the losses they suffer cease, but I also respect their desire to protect their families, their culture, and their lands. Poorer countries are often prey for larger powers to violate and manipulate. One could easily make the same argument about women and children. The way we defend and protect the vulnerable speaks volumes about our humanity.
Folk Music
Folk music is the music of the people. It tells their stories, their tragedies, their longings, and their loves. It is who they are. Ukrainians have a rich cultural and artistic history that deeply envelopes their music. Before we begin discussing the music, I will give a quick overview of some of their unique instruments that are commonly found in both their folk and modern music.
Instruments
Trembita
The trembita is a very unique and large wind instrument, noted by the Guinness Book of World Records as the longest musical instrument in the world. This solid wood tube-shaped instrument that originated and can be found in many parts of Western Ukraine, especially in the Carpathian region. This shepherd’s instrument is used to communicate with other shepherds across large mountainous regions and has found itself used in many folk and modern Ukranian songs.
Sopilka
The sopilka is the oldest folk instrument found in the country. Similar to a fife and associated with the lute family, it is used by shepherds and peasants alike. This wooden instrument measures up to 40 cm and has anywhere between six to eight finger holes for playing different pitches. Modern sopilkas may occasionally be found with ten finger holes. It is also commonly found in folk and modern music across Ukraine.
Lira
This Cossack instrument has a long and ancient history that expands beyond Ukraine into Western Europe as early as the 10th century. It gained popularity in the Ukraine in the 1600s. Today, the Ukranian lira, also known as the wheel lira, is similar to a hurdy-gurdy (which was discussed in the Bal Musette article). Utilizing a wooden wheel, it creates a drone that rubs against the strings that span across its body.
Bandura
The Ukranian bandura is often referred to as the Ukranian harp. It has been suggested that the instrument originated from the kobza (see the video below the image for more information). The bandura is larger than the kobza, with a longer neck and more strings. This classical instrument has 16 accompaniment strings and 5 bass strings, although the number of strings can vary. Modern bandura can have between 10-14 bass strings and 40-50 accompaniment strings. Played in a similar fashion to harp playing, the strings are plucked but never pressed against the frets the way they are on other stringed instruments. This popular instrument is taught in many music schools.
You can learn more about these instruments and how they are made on the following UNESCO Heritage Video:
Ukranian Folk Music
A group of people have started creating a website that covers all of the Ukranian folk music from different regions of Ukraine. This whimsical website has beautiful design and really captures the unique cultures found in Ukraine. I encourage you to spend some time listening to the music from each region here:
Musicians
There are many amazing musicians across Ukraine. It was honestly difficult to choose which ones to mention and I still feel like I’ve left out far too many deserving of mention. However, I will cover a cross-section of styles, instrumentation, and backgrounds. Additionally, I will highlight their inspirations, their determination to preserve their heritage and their nation. Additionally, the focal points of their music as they vary across nature, love, war, and politics.
Folknery
Folknery (Ukrainian: Фолькнери) is a Ukraniain folk band that was founded in 2009 by Volodymyr Muliar and Yaryna Kvitka. This traveling (by bicycle) duo has recorded many folk songs pairing them with various additional musical elements to create a unique, yet authentic Ukranian sound. The song below also uses a Lira, which as seen above is similar to the Hurdy-Gurdy found in Bal Musette music from France. You can hear this drone instrument when you listen to how it is carefully layered among the vocals and hand drum percussion in the video below.
The song Karchata is an evocative piece that, as with many Ukranian songs, braids nature, love, and tradition. The lyrics speak of a beautiful rural landscape evoking the imagery of a lush natural world. This is the backdrop for the story of the deep connection between the people and their environment. The narrative speaks of Ivanko, an unexpected character that shatters the peaceful scenery enjoyed by the girls. The girls scatter and Ivanko focuses on Mariyka, taking her with him to a garden. This traditional symbolism of choosing a romantic partner is surrounded by more symbolic scenery with berries, emphasizing abundance and fertility. Ivanko offers Mariyka the berries and tries to convince her to forget her friends, luring her with the sweetness of the berries and the promises of exclusivity. The pairing of love and nature can be seen in a more transient way through the instrumentation and the imagery in the video as we see here. But first, the lyrics (translated).
This is a Ukranian folk song. Karchata is an archaic word for birds.
Lyrics:
There are karchata on the mountains and girls in the valley,Chop, fell trees, wherever you look – greenery, karchata.
Ivanko appeared out of nowhere, Ivanko appeared out of nowhere,
Chop, fell trees, wherever you look – greenery, Ivanko.
He drove away all the girls, and took Mariyka for himself,
Chop, fell trees, wherever you look – greenery, took for himself.
He took her to the garden, picked some berries for her,
Chop, fell trees, wherever you look – greenery, berries.
Eat, Mariyka, berries, forget about the girls,
Chop, fell trees, wherever you look – greenery, about girls.
DakhaBrakha
DakhaBrakha was founded in 2004 by Vladyslav Troitskyi, the theater director of the Kyiv Center of Contemporary Art. This unique world-music focused quartet mixes Ukranian ethnic folk music and world instruments to create very unique sounds not found anywhere else. The name of the group DakhaBrakha is translated to give/take in the old Ukranian language. Celebrated around the world, this highly acclaimed group can be found touring in many countries. They have also been very outspoken against the war in Ukraine. As can be seen by the cover image on all of their videos (and many other Ukranian musicians at this time).
Many songs in Ukraine reflect love and they also reflect the hardships women face at the hands of men. The song "Карпатський реп (Karpatskyi rap)" (Carpathian Rap) is a folk-inspired piece that utilizes traditional Ukranian folk singing known as spivanka (співанка). The song tells of various characters in a small rural village and the mix of love interests, interactions, and admirations that the girl has for the men in her village. As is also common in many Ukranian folk songs, the opinion of her mother is a central focus (some songs also include the opinion of the father, which we will see with another artist, Alina Pash, later in this article). The singer’s musings express her thoughts, actions, affection, and amusement toward the various men. The chorus, however, is a nostalgic and romantic refrain that brings the singer’s love for nature and her familiar surroundings - as we see often with the music by women in Ukraine. Overall, the song reflects the complexities of connection among villagers in the Carpathian region. You can see the direct translation of the lyrics here:
Onuka
Onuka means “granddaughter” in Ukranian. This Ukranian elctro-folk band was founded in 2013 by Yevhen Filatov and Nata Zhzhchenko. They are very open about their thoughts on the environment and have their own Eco stream in conjunction with #nowasteukraine, which can be found here:
Onuka’s music frequently embraces Ukranian folk instruments like the sopilka, the trembita, and the bukhalo (a Ukranian folk bass drum that is worn - as seen in the video below). They also incorporate sounds that are reminiscent of nature. Their music frequently embodies a oneness with the natural surroundings, respect for the land, and traditions. Yet, they also utilize them in such a forward thinking and progressively modern demonstration. They are an incredible group to learn more about if you haven’t heard their music before.
Go_A
Go_A is a Ukranian folktronica band that was founded in 2012.
Anyone who has ever watched Eurovision has noticed how unique Ukraine’s entries ALWAYS are. They stand out from all the rest in their creativity, unique sound, and unusually colorful and bombastic presentation. They aren’t there to be wallflowers. Go_A was no exception when they performed in the 2021 Eurovision song contest with their song “Shum,” which placed 5th in the finals.
Shum translates to “the noise,” and is an ancient dance to summon spring. More specifically, it is directed toward the growth of hemp, which is critical to the clothing and other common daily needs. However, when you watch the video, you also see the suggestion they make on how toxic the chemicals are that their natural world is exposed to. Herbicides, toxins, viruses (COVID), as well as their own tragic history with Chernobyl. Ukrainians really don’t mess around with their arts. They absolutely speak their minds, and they do so with such panache. It is hard to compare them to any other music.
The lyrics are as follows:
Oh, Spring song, Spring song, where have you spent your Winter?
In the garden, sitting on a maple tree, you've been spinning a shirt
There on the edge of a forest, an owl is blowing into the water
I'll sing a song - let her hear it
[Chorus]
Shum, get twined with periwinkle
I'm singing the spring song to you
Sowing, sowing, sowing, sowing hemp plants
Sowing, sowing, sowing, sowing green ones
[Verse 2]
Come Spring, come, don't wait around
We'll go outside to love each other
Oh Spring, our miss, look in our window
We had sung our song and the sun shined on
[Chorus]
Come on, come on, let's twine the Shum
Twinе the Shum, dance it around
Sowing, sowing, sowing, sowing hemp plants
Sowing, sowing, sowing, sowing green onеs
Shum, get twined, get twined!
Shum, get spread with periwinkle
Sowing, sowing, sowing, sowing hemp plants
Sowing, sowing, sowing, sowing green ones[Bridge]
Oh, Spring song, Spring song, where have you spent your Winter?
In the garden, sitting on a maple tree, you've been spinning a shirt
There on the edge of a forest, an owl is blowing into the water
I'll sing a song - let her hear it
[Chorus]
Shum, get twined with periwinkle
I'm singing the spring song to you
Sowing, sowing, sowing, sowing hemp plants
Sowing, sowing, sowing, sowing green ones
Come on, come on, we've made some noise
Made some noise and awoke the Spring
Sowing, sowing, sowing, sowing hemp plants
Sowing, sowing, sowing, sowing green ones
Alina Pash
Alina Pash is a young favorite of mine. I first discovered her when she was singing Bitanga six years ago. In this youthful song, she sings of her annoyance with her father who makes her do chores and doesn’t let her go out with her boyfriend to a party. It’s really quite adorable, and I have to say her music has evolved into so much depth, political outrage, and far more impactful music. She is a force to reckon with and I highly recommend exploring more about her music when you get a chance. I don’t even know where to begin with her because she is a literal poet with a sharp wit and even shaper tongue (in a good way). This was her Eurovision entry in 2022, when Russia first invaded Ukraine. You can see her effort to unify her nation. One of the things I love most about her sensitivity in performance is the inclusion of additional vocal sounds not always found in popular music, including the sounds of birds and other animals, as we can see in this video.
She also made a very interesting video about her life and her music. I really recommend you take the time to explore her world. She’s really inspirational.
Kalush Orchestra
Kalush Orchestra was founded in 2021 and were the winners of the 2022 Eurovision song contest. When I first began writing this article, the video was widely available, but as I found out today, it is no longer available in my country (USA) because it shows the deeper images of the war in Ukraine. I personally recommend you use a VPN in order to watch this footage. You will not regret it. I assume that the blocking of this in the USA is a factor pertaining to manipulation of how Americans are exposed to this war. Since this group won Eurovision in 2022, they are more widely known, and thus this group’s music has been targeted to be blocked (not all of their music, just videos that show the war). I believe that the other musicians I share here aren’t known in the USA as widely, thus their music isn’t blocked for showing war themes. DakhaBrakha is well-known, but they only posted a message on their original videos, rather than showing war footage in their videos.
The lyrics for Stefania:
[Chorus]
Stefania mother, mother Stefania!
The field is blooming, but her hair is getting gray
Sing me the lullaby, mother
I want to hear your dear word
[Verse 1]
She was rocking me as a baby, she gave me a rhythm
And you can't take willpower from me, as I got it from her
I think she knew more than King Solomon
I'll always find my way home, even if all roads are destroyed
She wouldn't wake me, she wouldn't wake me, even if there was a storm outside
Or if thеre was a storm between her and grandma
Shе trusted me over everyone else, she was not deceived, even she was tired, she just kept rocking me
"Lully-lully-lullaby..."
[Chorus]
Stefania mother, mother Stefania!
The field is blooming, but her hair is getting gray
Sing me the lullaby, mother
I want to hear your dear word
[Verse 2]
I'm not a kid anymore, but she will always treat me like one
I'm not a kid anymore, but she keeps worrying about me, anytime I'm out
Mother, you're still young, oh mom
If I don't appreciate your kindness, I'm moving towards a dead-end
But my love for you has no end
"Lully-lully-lullaby..."
[Chorus]
Stefania mother, mother Stefania!
The field is blooming, but her hair is getting gray
Sing me the lullaby, mother
I want to hear your dear word
Stefania mother, mother Stefania!
The field is blooming, but her hair is getting gray
Sing me the lullaby, mother
I want to hear your dear word
The Eurovision version:
Kazka
Kazka is an electro-folk and pop band that formed in 2017. The first song I ever heard from them was Cry, which talks about the sadness women experience in relationships. Her songs now speak of the sadness of losing their men to Russia’s war with Ukraine. This video leads with the song “Cry” as she sings in an empty room to the sirens of war.
Historical Influence
Many may not realize it, but the Carol of the Bells, a song often sung during Christmas time, originated out of the Ukraine. Enjoy this inspirational video demonstrating this song during the hardships of war and the fighting spirit of the people who are enduring the fight to protect their lands and their people. These videos also show bomb damage from the war they are still enduring today.
“Art is a weapon.”
The soldiers have also taken to producing music about the war as we will see in the video below by KOZAK SIROMAHA feat. 93 ОМБР "Холодний Яр" - Заживем.
Lyrics:
When the rain for the souls will heal, heal, heal, heal, heal.
When the wound along the Dnieper will heal, Ukraine will heal, heal, heal.
Well, while we are fighting for peace,
Forced cruelty is flying in different directions in the sky.
A foreign Falcon sees where it is flying and for the first time sees the fire,
They were walking there, small children were baked.
Because of this,
With the fire,
No matter how difficult it will be for us.
Sometimes we go,
We will swim to our native shore,
If we are not fooled, legal,
If it were not cloudy,
We will run together,
All only forward,
When the sky is behind.
We will also give it,
We will heal, we will heal, we will heal,
The wound along the Dnieper will heal,
Ukraine will heal, heal, heal.
We will put out the rain,
We will heal, we will heal, we will heal,
The Kolerana along the the Dnieper will heal,
Ukraine will heal, heal, heal.
I will look up at the mountain above us in the sky,
A crack, mice hid in holes, and in a moment in the perishchylo,
And the enemies everywhere want to take us in their claws,
That's not the point,
We are not alone here
We are closer
We are preparing good news for everyone
Yes, we are alive
Dinis not two hundred.
We know about two walls.
Such is the rule in the news they say.
That broken from the truth lately.
Many have already been injured.
And brought fire from Kholodny.
I will wash away all traces of the arrival’s abundant downpour.
Maybe flowers will bloom the wind will disperse all the clouds.
And a cheerful spring will come for me.
When soon the back too will rain,
Will heal, heal, heal, heal, heal,
Polished along the Dnieper will heal,
Heal Ukraine will heal, heal.
Oh turn off the rain we will feel,
We will heal, heal, heal.
Polished along the Dnieper will heal,
Heal Ukraine will heal, heal.
There have been many efforts by musicians across Ukraine to fight for their country and represent their culture as loudly and proudly as they can as they face the assault from Russia. One such effort can be found in the video below of the song “Oi u luzi chervona kalyna”. The song they are singing is translated to “Oh, the Red Viburnum in the Meadow,” a Ukranian march which was originally written in 1875 by Volodymyr Antonovych and Mykhailo Drahomanov to honor the Sich Riflemen of World War I. The red viburnum is a deciduous shrub that is a national symbol of Ukraine and is found on the Presidential flag. As we can see, nature has and always will be close to the hearts of the Ukranian people. So, giving away their land, their precious nature, is extremely important to them as a people.
One common theme that I notice is that they are very focused on their families, their loved ones, their natural environment, and justice. In other words, they are focused on everything that matters in life. I see no crime here.
References
https://amazing-ukraine.com/en/15-ukrainian-songs-that-every-ukrainian-should-know/