B-BOOGIE by David Nez

 



("Pripjev" introductory song, to get audience's attention)

Listen to a wonder never heard before!
Have you ever seen a goose in saddle?
Have you ever seen a shoed duck?
Have you ever seen a rabbit in pants?
I do not wonder at a shoed duck,
Nor do I wonder at a goose in saddle;
But I do wonder at a rabbit in pants.
When he makes water, who undoes his pants?

(Main song)

Listen to a wonder never heard before!
How a flock of doves flew
Over a white castle of Kajtaz.
Lady Kajtaz saw them.
"Dear grandmother, those are Hamin's wedding guests.
They will not invite me to be matron of honor.
I would give gifts to them all.
A shining talisman to the father-in-law.
May it suit him to his satisfaction!
To the mother-in-law a silk blouse.
May it bring disease to her bones!
To the groom's sister a pair of boots.
May she fall and break her neck in them!
To Hama an embroidered handkerchief.
As many as there are leaves in the embroidery,
So many wounds may he receive!"

 

Translated by Albert B. Lord, in Bela Bartok and Albert B. Lord, Serbo-Croatian Folk Songs (New York: Columbia University Press, 1951), 307.