Kakavik

folk song / traditional

Lyrics - Transliteration

(Melody by Komitas, Armenia, 1907, Lyrics by Hovhannes Tumanyan)

Arev patsvets’ tukh amberen,
Gakav terav ganach saren,
Ganach saren sari dzeren,
Parev perav dzaghikneren.

Refrain
Sirunig, sirunig, sirunig,
Nakhshun gakavig. (repeat)

Ko puyn hyusadz dzaghignerov
Shushan, narkiz, nunufarov,
Ko degh letsvadz tsogh u shaghov,
Knes, gelnes yerk u daghov. Refrain

Ko tev papug u khadutig,
Bsdik gtuts, garmir dodig,
Garmir-garmir dodignerov,
Ge shororas judignerov. Refrain

Yerb ge ganknes mamrod karin,
Saghmos gases dzaghignerin,
Sarer dzorer zvart ganes,
Tarti dzoven sird ge hanes. Refrain

English Translation – Partridge

The sun appeared from behind the dark clouds,
and a little partridge flew down,
From the green mountain peak,
With greetings from the flowers.

Refrain
Sweet and pretty, colorful and gentle,
Lovely little partridge.

You weave your nest with flowers,
Lilies, daffodils and daisies,
Fresh and glistening with dew drops,
You sing yourself to sleep and awake with a song.

You have soft and colorful wings,
Charming beak and little red feet,
You hop around with your little red feet,
Minding your young ones.

When you are perched on a mossy stone,
You will sing a psalm to the flowers,
Spreading cheer to hills and valleys,
Giving heart to the sea of sadness.