Bedros Alahaidoyan Coll. | Sassoun songs

This page presents songs and dance music collected and recorded by musicologist Bedros Alahaidoyan. Beginning in the 1980s, Mr. Alahaidoyan traveled to cities and towns populated by Armenians throughout the Diaspora, in search for Genocide survivors from whom he collected rare songs and anecdotes of their native cities and villages. Editing of this page, as well as music engraving and digitization, provided by Dzovig Markarian, DMA. Translation: Simon Beugekian.

Local Music and Folk Songs

In 1986, Papken Sassouni (1929-2017), a native of Sassoun, met with musicologist Bedros Alahaidoyan, who also happened to be his relative, in Los Angeles. During this meeting, Sassouni gave Alahaidoyan an audio tape, which had been recorded on October 12, 1979, in Talin (Armenia). The contents of this tape are presented here in their entirety. The recording features a small group of natives of Sassoun who gathered in a house and took turns singing the traditional, folk, and patriotic/fedayi songs of their native lands – Sassoun, Talin, and Dalvorig.

Some of the recorded songs feature repeated verses. In other cases, the singers omitted some of the lyrics. Sometimes they also added their own jokes to the songs. At the beginning of the cassette, the name of only one singer is announced and that is Samuel Torosian.

The listeners will notice that in some of the songs, the singers, in order to further entertain their audiences, repeat parts of a song that are not necessarily refrains; or, when they forgot the lyrics, they ingeniously replace them with their own extemporaneous inventions (especially in the fedayi songs). In such cases, we generally chose to provide the standard lyrics that have appeared in published song books. However, in some cases, we transcribed the songs as sung, especially when the substitutions allowed the singers to avoid mentioning specific political parties, and instead use a lexicon that gives the lyrics a more universal Armenian flavor. These changes do not alter or distort the melody of the songs in any way.

These performances once again remind us that the phenomenon that we call a “song,” once born, travels freely and constantly evolves as it encounters new people and their localities.

List of Songs

1- Hay Hay Dine
2- Mshou Sarer Mshoush Er [The Mountains of Moush Are Foggy]
3- Arakel Moushegh
4- Arach Knank Anvakh [Let’s March Forward Undaunted]
5- Mout Panderoum [In Dark Prisons]
6- Tartsyal Paylets [Again It Shone]
7- Sasnou Kavar (Hrayr Tjokhki Hishadagin) [Land of Sassoun]
8- Mayis Amsoun Mech [In the Month of May]
9- Andok Dzovasar [Antioch and Dzovasar]
10- Sosgoumn Ahavor [The Dreadful Terror]
11- Dalvorigi Zavage [The Child of Dalvorig]
12- Lour Me Yegav Hasav [News Came and Reached Us]
13- Menk Angeghdz Zinvor Enk [We Are Faithful Soldiers]
14- Kisher Ge Khalde
15- Donni Donni Donni Yars
16- Mer Ander Mshou Tashd [Our Forsaken Valley of Moush]
17- Merig Merig [Mother, Mother]
18- Sasnou Lerner Parag Dzoukh Hay Noubar
19- Gouyr Ashoughn [The Blind Minstrel]
20- Hayro Hayran E
21- Chaniman Chaniman
22- Ninnar E Hay Ninnar E
23- Hovn Er Yergir Hovn Anoush [The Wind of the Land, the Pleasant Wind]
24- Tsoren Em Tsane Lo [I’ve Sown the Wheat, Lo]
25- Gakave Trav [The Partridge Flew Away]
26- Kna Kna Kalis Em [Go, Go, I’m Coming]
27- Hay Ninna Hay Ninna
28- Vakh Lek Le Le Le
29- Vo Vo Vovn Engav
30- Tsmer Er [It Was Winter]
31- Keghi Polor Our Er Sharouk
32- Our Knatsir Our Egar [Where Did You Go, Where Did you Come?]
33- Kna Kna Kalis Em Le Le Le Le Meyro [Go, Go, I’m Coming Le Le Le Le Meyro]
34- Mer Dan Yedev Pour Me Bndoug [A Handful of Hazelnuts Behind our House]
35- Imal Ener Khatoun Gisour
36- Aghchi Haygo [Haygo the Girl]

1- Hay Hay Dine (Incomplete)

Hay hay dine
Hay hay dine
Hay hay dine
Hay hay dine
...

The Gouravi/Kourava village (present-day Şenoba) of the Moush Valley and local villagers (Source: Hairenik monthly, Vol. VIII, No. 7 (91), May 1930, p. 115).

2- Mshou Sarer Mshoush E [The Mountains of Moush Are Foggy] (Incomplete)

Mshou sarer mshoush e
Ninnar e ninnar e
Aghchig anoun knkoush e

…

The Saint Arakelots (Holy Apostles) Monastery of Moush (Source: ARF Album, Western USA).

3- Arakel, Moushegh

Arakel Moushegh lernerouts ichan
Averag chaghats hoki chan
Yeghav otevan

Te grvek dghek te grvek kach kach
Diroch sourp gamkov hoki chan
Menk yertank arach

Arakel Moushegh Kevork Sassountsin
Yerek gdridjner hoki chan
Nahadagvetsin

Yergink togh shnorhe nrants (al louys dan)
Menk el mishd hishenk hoki chan
Nrants hishadag

Te grvek dghek te grvek kach kach
Diroch sourp gamkov hoki chan
Menk yertank arach

An Armenian fedayee squad (affiliated with the Armenian Revolutionary Federation (ARF/Dashnak Party)). From left to right – Aramayis, Vram, Ousoul Krikor, and Ousoul Khecho (Source: ARF Album, Western USA).

4- Arach Knank Anvakh (Azad Tashdi Vortik) [Let’s March Forward Undaunted]

Arach knank anvakh
Zargenk Hamidin
Prgenk Hay kughatsoun
Prgenk sdrougin
Togh desne Sultane
Anark prnavor
Vor zenkov e patsvoum
Hayin baydzar or.

Mer gyank mer mah
Togh lini azad
Djnshvadz Hayi
Vortik harazad.

The fedayee squad led by Onnig Nevrouz, a member of the ARF/Dashnak Party (Source: ARF Album, Western USA).

5- Mout Panderoum (Karekin Nejtehi Yerk) [In the Dark Prisons]

Mout panderoum danchvadz enger
Sourp danchankit menk madagh
Araz pain dznvadz enger
Ayn Arazin menk madagh
Houra, houra, houra, houra!
Kach Antranigi soure shoghsogha

Soure badyanen hanetsir
Houra arach koratsir
Aravodyan jame chorsin
Bitlis kaghak kravetsir
Houra, houra, houra, houra!
Kach Antranigi soure shoghsogha

Sepasdatsi enger Mourad
Tou grvetsar kachapar
Bakvi jayrod lernerou mech
Toun al engar nahadag
Houra, houra, houra, houra!
Kach Antranigi soure shoghsogha.

An Armenian family from the Dzkhav (present-day Mercimekkale) village of the Moush Valley (Source: Hairenik monthly, Vol. VIII, No. 7 (91), May 1930, p. 117).

6- Tartsyal Paylets Sasno Klkhin [Again it Shone Upon Sassoun]

Tartsyal paylets Sasno klkhin avadoutyan troshag
Getse hayrenik gochelov partsratsoutsin aghaghag

Aha ayndegh Tourkn ou Dadjig sarsapeli desaran
Jamanagn e vrej loudzel gochets tsayne haygagan

Kourken Vahan Hrayr-Tjokhk kach Antranig ghegavar
Davlorigi lerneroume shrchoum ein antatar

Aha ayndegh mahe min e mart meg ankam bid merni
Payts yerani vor ur azki azadoutyan ge zohvi.

On the heights of the Andok Mountains. Members of a family from the village of Ishkhntsor milking goats (Source: Hairenik monthly, Vol. VIII, No. 7 (91), May 1930, p. 114).

7- Sasnou Kavar (Hrayr Tjokhki Hishadagin) [Land of Sassoun]

Sasnou kavar Simou lanchin
Chgar nman Armenagin
Aravodyan arshalouysin
Hashiv chgar Dadjgats zorkin

Dadjgats zorke yerp shad ellar
Vsdah Mourad g’ourakhanar
G’eser dghek touk prnek bar
Yes ge chartem Dadjgats panag

Dadjgats zorke tntatnotov
Hay zinvorner Mosinnerov
Kach Antranig payloun sourov
Chartets Krder hazarnerov.

An ARF/Dashnak Party-affiliated family from the Shenig village (present-day Alaniçi) of the Moush Valley (Source: ARF Archives - Watertown, Massachusetts).

8- Mayis Amsoun Mech [In the Month of May]

Mayis amsoun mech vartern en patsver
Hangardz Souloukhi chors goghme mtnets

Sev ambe korats shanter artsagets
Te ap te dzaghgounk aryamp voghoghvets

Ou ayt shanteroun ahegh zargin dag
Tartsyal meg heros engav nahadag

Ou ayt herose Kevorkn er avagh
Vor mghets aynkan grivner anhaght.

9- Andok Dzovasar [Antioch and Dzovasar]

Andok Dzovasar gepin er ousin
Norits gochetsin tem vad Trkerin
Mi or Krdakharn Hayots kughere
Vahan Pashayin dalis en voghchuyn

Aravod ganoukh yerp vor artnatsan
Chors hazar zorkov basharvadz desan
Voronts tem yeresoun kachere miaynag
Azad hamartsag grvil sgsan

Ayndeghi Tourker vakhtsadz gochetsin
Aman fidayin ghourban tser vodkin
Khnayetsek zmez badiv Kevorkin
Toghek vor abrink nerkev mer hargin

Tourker vakhetsadz i pakhousd dvin
Harur zoh dvin shoud me heratsan
Shoud arek asin pakhek aha hasan
Kevork arnahegh Antranig Pashan.

A scene from the village of Dap. The village was located in the Moutk/Modgan Sub-District (Bitlis Province), part of the Khoup-Prnashen cluster of villages (Source: ARF Archives - Watertown, Massachusetts).

10- Sosgoumn Ahavor [The Dreadful Terror]

Sosgoumn ahavor badets Msho tashd
Grgin harachets char Sultan anhashd

Al inch esadz er baderazmin er
(Dang al heratsan trchil kntagner).

A scene from Dalvorig (Source: ARF Archives - Watertown, Massachusetts).

11- Dalvorigi Zavag [Child of Dalvorig]

Dalvorigi zavag em ghort
Kaghktsou bes chem toulamort
Sari zavag kari vorti
Hin kach Hayots tseghi mnatsort

Dalvorigi zavag em kach
Chem khonarhir vadin arach
Karod lerants em azad ladj
Chem desel voch aror voch madj

Hay aghprdig chan aghprdik
Dalvorigi zavag em kach
Azadoutyan siro hamar
Yegek teb ints harach harach

Togh Hayk abrin hovid our tashd
Van ankoutin hede linin hashd
Yes bid mnam mish annvadj
Tegouz vras (ka …)

Isg inch kashel pani me garod
Kani ounink kntag varot
Azad abrink mernink azad
Sasno vortin em harazad

Hay aghprdik chan aghprdik
Sasouni zavag em kach
Azadoutyan siro hamar
Yegek teb ints harach harach

Yev im khelok choch baberoun
Asdvadz hokin lousavore
Mez g’eser misdh aghkad/azad abrek
Payts viz me dzrek harg el mi vdjarek

Mer Haz azki azadoutyan hamar
Hay aghprdik chan aghprdik
Sasouni zavag em kach
Azadoutyan siro hamar
Yegek teb ints harach harach.

A panorama of the land of Daron, as seen from the banks of a river. The precise location is unknown (Source: Hairenik monthly, Vol. VIII, No. 7 (91), May 1930, p. 121).

12- Lour Me Yegav Hasav [News Came and Reached Us]

Lour me yegav hasav Antranig Pashin
Eli lao eli ertank mer yergir
Elav hedzav (zour) tsin ichan grvou tashd
Elek lao elek ertank mer yergir

Sev ots yeger patter mer doun ou degh
Eli lao eli ertank grvi tashd
Sev ots yeger patter mer doun ou degh
Elek lao elek ertank mer yergir.

An Armenian fedayee squad that participated in the 1897 Khanasor Expedition (Source: ARF Album, Western USA).

13- Menk Angeghdz Zinvor Enk [We Are Faithful Soldiers]

Menk angeghdz zinvor enk arants i vidjag
Oukhdel enk dzarayel yergar jamanag
Barsgasdani khorkits yegel er namag
Knoum enk parov g’oushanank darov
Arun sour ou hour baderazmi tashd ge sbaser mezi

Toushmane mez dvets chan fiday anoun
Ayt anvan hamatsayn desav zoroutyun
Menk chenk ouzoum azad gamki prgoutyun
Oukhdel enk grvel, ayt sirov mernel
Hamozvadz enk vor miyayn zenkov ga azki prgoutyun

Pashgala kavaroum ayt baderazmin
Aveli medz sarsap direts Sultanin
Kravenk Pashgalan antsnenk heshd gerbov
Achits Vartane tsakhits Ishkhane
Kravenk Aghpag daradzenk sarsap
Park Hay azkoutyan.

Kevork Chavoush
The abbot of the Saint Arakelots Monastery, Father Hovhannes.

14- Kisher Ge Khalde

(Kisher ge khalde) tours yele
Lousnagn anoush ge tsole
Lousnag ghourban our g’ertas
Yes g’ertam Sasnou saroum
Toun g’ertas Sasnou saroum
Parev danous im yaroum

Khorodig mazeroun nazerov
Khorodig sarero tsorero im yare

Shoud shoud mi kele khorodig
Ge mashi solig khorodig
Ge mnas pobig khorodig
Poush ch’engni dodig khorodig
Kou khatri hamar khorodig
Kisher tours ela khorodig

Lousnag (Bitlisou) gi ke
Ver Mshou saroun gi ke
Ver Sasnou saroun gi ke
Ver oukhdi djampoun gi ke
Khorod kou djampoun gi ke

Khorodig, khorodig
Kou oukhdi khatrin khorodig
Bak me mi das tou lousngin
Bak me chi das tou lousngin
Ge dzrim, ge dzrim, khorodig

G’ertam g’engnim sareroum
G’ertam g’engnim choleroum
G’ertam g’engnim chreroum
G’ertam g’engnim kareroum

…

The spring of the village of Sokhourt (region of Khlat). Mount Nemrut is visible in the background (Source: Hairenik monthly, Vol. VIII, No. 7 (91), May 1930, p. 109).

15- Donni Donni Donni Yars

Donni donni donni yars
Felleydo donni e
Donni donni donni yars
Billeydo donni e

Ichnenk paghchen kaghenk khodig
Felleydo donni e
(Danoug trek msra modig)
Billeydo donni e
Desnank bi yar ne khorodig
Felleydo donni e
(Em yar kzke moun khorodig)
Billeydo donni e

Donni donni donni yars
Felleydo donni e
Donni donni donni yars
Billeydo donni e

Mer dan yedev karsoun garas
Felleydo donni e
Tser dan yedev karsoun garas
Billeydo donni e

Karsoun garsi kinin er has
Felleydo donni e
Ame garsits gdkhe mi das
Billeydo donni e
Te tou chi das tou go denas
Felleydo donni e
Donni donni donni yars

Felleydo donni e
Donni donni donni yars
Billeydo donni e

Mer dan yedev pour me bndoug
Felleydo donni e
Tser dan yedev pour me bndoug
Billeydo donni e
Derder yegav morouk gndoug
Felleydo donni e
Harsner toghen khmor gndoug
Billeydo donni e
Pakhan mdan vosge sndoug
Felleydo donni e
Mdan sndoug geran bndoug
Billeydo donni e

Donni donni donni yars
Felleydo donni e
Donni donni donni yars
Billeydo donni e.

16- Mer Ander Mshou Tashd [Our Forsaken Valley of Moush]

Mer ander Mshou tashd touran ou khorod
Our agh ou chour g’esen shad anoush hod e

Mer ander Mshou tashd hink helour kegh e
Ed Mshou khas g’esem khorod gou kegh e

Alashgerd Manazgerd inch anoush degh er
Shnchig me ge shncher im verkin tegh er

Tsoren im tsane lo eler e barge
Bzdig im sire lo chem khimshi targi

Rehan im tsane lo shad anoush hodt
Aghchig me sirel im bzdig ou khorod

Aghchig me sirel im bzdig ou khorod
G’ertam ghariboutyun ge mnam garod

Shabig me garel e our dosheghn yeghel e
Yar kou anoush bakig im srdin tegh e

Vay le le vay le le vay le gorani
Chan le le chan le le chan le gorani.

17- Merig Merig [Mother, Mother]

Merig merig merig merig merig merig
Merig merig anoush merig kaghtsrig merig

Takvorn egav arevelken arevelken
Groung yegav Vana dzoven Vana dzoven

Harsig perin Meghrakeden Meghrakeden
Merig merig merig merig anoush merig

Shemglig shemglig tou (mi jaja yes im jajalou)
Ham jajalou ham el dalou
Ham el dalou ha mi lalou

Merig merig merig merig kaghtsrig merig
Lousoun g’elnis malnes takhtig

Vor chgori aghchke hedkin
Merig merig merig merig merig merig
Merig merig anoush merig kaghtsrig merig.

An area lying between Sassoun and Moush (Source: Hairenik monthly, Vol. VIII, No. 9 (93), July 1930, p. 149).

18- Sasnou Lerner Parag Dzoukh Hay Noubar

Sasnou lerner parag dzoukh hay Noubar
Ounker gamar achker touch chan Noubar
(Gabes toushin togheboukh) hay Noubar
(Khortere g’enen akhounoukh) chan Noubar

Hay Noubar Noubar Noubar hay Noubar
Sasnou sarer kar our bar chan Noubar

Sasnou keghen (el gouha tsayn) Noubar
Enger en kegh ge loghen chan Noubar
Eler en ap ge toghen chan Noubar
(Gdzneran goud ge shoghen) hay Noubar

Hay Noubar Noubar Noubar hay Noubar
Sasnou sarer kar our bar chan Noubar

Noubar knats khiarnots hay Noubar
Kaghets khiar letsouts dzots chan Noubar
(Gdrav our vizernots) ay Noubar
Eghav endzi khard ou khots chan Noubar

Hay Noubar Noubar Noubar hay Noubar
Sasnou sarer kar our bar chan Noubar.

A scene from the fields of the Akhb/Aghp village of Sassoun (Source: ARF Archives - Watertown, Massachusetts).

19- Gouyr Ashoughn [The Blind Minstrel]

Gouyr ashoughn ou (mer ergabe) khoul kamin
Yerk en yerkoum vishd en badmoum ahskharhin

Ayskan charik te moranan mer vortik
Voghch ashkharhe Hayin garta nakhadink

Souli kamin tiyagneri vrayov
Lizi verker our havaki harach mer

Hamperoutyan tasher arank lerneren
Verchi vercho khousoum enk menk (andloren)

Ayskan charik te moranan mer vortik
Voghch ashkharhe Hayin garta nakhadink.

20- Hayro Heyran E

Hayro heyran e
Hayro heyran e
Hayro heyran e
(Chvez meyvan e)

Hayros nsder e
Hodi moudken chan
Achke ktser e trgtsou gngan

Hayro heyran e
Hayro heyran e
Hayro heyran e
Chvez meyvan e

Katsi Stambol
Peri para bol

… Choukhdm sol
Yes ou im yare haknenk (dore dor)

Hayro heyran e
Hayro heyran e
Hayro heyran e
Chvez meyvan e.

21- Chaniman Chaniman

Chaniman chaniman
Doun em shinel kedi peran
Chaniman chaniman
Vren ktsel ergou keran

Chaniman chaniman
Megn er khokhi megn er dziran
Chaniman chaniman
Khokhen godrav mnats dziran

Chaniman chaniman
Tonirn entsav tsayn chtali
Chaniman chaniman
Gate baghav chperetsi

Chaniman chaniman
Dghen yelav ch’oreretsi
Chaniman chaniman

ZIm yar doun cher nsda latsi.

Dalvorig. Under the Fer-Fer Rock (Source: Hairenik monthly, Vol. VIII, No. 9 (93), July 1930, p. 141).

22- Ninnar E Hay Ninnar E

Vartevri Yergoushaptin
Hay ninnar e Hay ninnar e Hay ninnar e
(Sebid Verboud gi kergin)
Hay ninnar e Hay ninnar e (Hay ninnar e)

Grvan ergou deker gin
Hay ninnar e Hay ninnar e Hay ninnar e
(Vertsins prtsvots gerendin)
Hay ninnar e Hay ninnar e

Katsin hep tsorou pain
Hay ninnar e Hay ninnar e Hay ninnar e
Kaghetsin gat epetsin
Hay ninnar e Hay ninnar e

(Gemig) ch’eghav gretsin
Hay ninnar e Hay ninnar e Hay ninnar e
(Selig) ch’eghav gretsin
Hay ninnar e Hay ninnar e

Yaroch trnov entsoutsin
Hay ninnar e Hay ninnar e Hay ninnar e
Yar knoug er chim tstsin
Hay ninnar e Hay ninnar e.

Women and children from the villages of the Moush Valley (Source: Hairenik monthly, Vol. VIII, No. 7 (91), May 1930, p. 119).

23- Hovn Er Yergir Hovn Anoush [The Wind of the Land, the Pleasant Wind]

Hovn er yergir hovn anoush
Hovn anoush anoush anoush
Yar khorodig bakn anoush

Ellank ver Mshou saroun
Mshou sarer mshoush er
Mshou sarer mshoush er chan
Aghchig anoun knkoush er

Ellank ver Mshou saroum
Desank ktrner gise pats
Katsink ouzink teze hats
(Ander shners mi khadzadz)

Meze inch khadzner bi der
Meze kirg ou dzedz bi der

Hovn er yergink hovn anoush chan
Yar khorodig bakn anoush
Hovn er yergink hovn anoush chan
Yar khorodig bakn anoush.

Dalvorig. Underneath the Satan’s Bridge (Source: Hairenik monthly, Vol. VIII, No. 9 (93), July 1930, p. 145).

24- Tsorenn Em Tsane Lo [I’ve Sown the Wheat, Lo]

Tsoren em tsane lo
Eler e barge
Bzdig em sire lo
Chem khmshi targi

Tsoren em tsane lo
Et veri saroun
Asdvadz mer anidze
(Zstarvan karoun)

Yes ou tou meg (shabgi
Togh bad nshkhoun er)
G’ertam ghariboutyan
(Sebib le tou mir)

Mer ander Mshou tashd
(Tour aner) khorod
Vor hogh ou chour g’eser
Hiventin tegh er

Tsoren em tsane lo
Et verin saroum
Asdvadz (mer anidzer
Zstarban karoun).

25- Gakave Trav [The Partridge Flew Away]

Gakave trav arders mnats varelou
Siradzis daran palegis toghin krgelou

Aghchi anount asa
Gakave trav arders mnats varelou
Linem mayrigit pesa
Siradzis daran …

A group of pilgrims outside the Arakelots (Holy Apostles) Monastery of Moush (Source: ARF Archives - Watertown, Massachusetts).

26- Kna Kna Kalis Em [Go, Go, I’m Coming]

Kna kna kalis em
(Lent ou kou) ganach derev
Sirds letsve lalis em
Per bachem zachit verev
Gamats kshek selere
Lent ou kou ganach derev
Gdrav shourtous telere
Per bachem zachit verev
Aghber tsent hanetsir
Lent ou kou ganache derev
Bari meche tsanetsir
Per bachem zachit verev
…

27- Hay Ninna Hay Ninna

Hay ninna Hay ninna Hay ninna Hay ninna Hay ninna
Yar Hay ninna Hay ninna
Hay ninna Hay ninna Hay ninna Hay ninna Hay ninna
Yar Hay ninna Hay ninna

Hampartsman Yergoushaptin
Grvan yergou dekergin
(Vertsrin zposkh ou kerendin
Engan et tsorou apin)
Mandrig mandrig khorvetsin
Mandrig mandrig khorvetsin

Hay ninna Hay ninna Hay ninna Hay ninna Hay ninna
Yar Hay ninna Hay ninna

Shoun shan vorti (kolesso
Yeren gi kas mer trnov
Ertam esem sev aghpor)
I ke zerge khncherov
Hanets ko garmir aroun
Tapets ko mech soleroun

Hay ninna Hay ninna Hay ninna Hay ninna Hay ninna
Yar Hay ninna Hay ninna.

28- Vakh Lek Le Le Le

Vakh lek le le le
Mayram le vay vay

Yar (sinemer sinemer
Havar havar sinemer)

Kmke kmke kmke
Kmke chano ayram
…

A hut in the village of Semal (present-day Üçevler) in the Moush Valley (Source: Hairenik monthly, Vol. VIII, No. 9 (93), July 1930, p. 153).

29- Vo Vo Vovn Engav

Yerevan em kalou
Vo vo vovn engav
Siregan em djarelou
Siroun gakav nashkhoun gakav
Tserkes brdzav chourn engav

Kna kna kalis em
Vo vo vovn engav
Sirds letsve lalis em
Siroun gakav nashkhoun gakav
Tserkes brdzav chourn engav

Gamats kshek selere
Vo vo vovn engav
Gabem (chour gouz) telere
Siroun gakav nashkhoun gakav
Tserkes berdzav chourn ingav

Aghchi anount asa
Vo vo vovn engav
Linem mayrigit pesa
Siroun gakav nashkhoun vgakav
Tserkes berdzav chourn ingav

Ktale yughits yelav
Vo vo vovn engav
Siradzs kughits yelav
Siroun gakav nashkhoun gakav
Tserkes berdzav chourn ingav.

Sassoun, as seen from the Moush Valley (Source: Hairenik monthly, Vol. VIII, No. 9 (93), July 1930, p. 153).

30- Tsmer Er

Tsmer er
(Goze i ke) karoun
Ele gte mer ganach sareroum
(Kaghek shachig ou beyboun
Zrgek verem siroun shoreroun)
Ertek desnek im yaroum
Im yar yaroum.

31- Keghi Polor Our Er Sharouk

Keghi polor (our er sharouk)
Akh him yaron hars e darou
Maro Maro Maro Maro
Maro Maro (ter dabrago)

Maron barger er toshmin patsver er
Maro toshmnin (bagh ou bagh cher) Maro

Maro Maro Maro Maro
Maro Maro trtod yaro

(Che vor che chim ouni)
Yes krisdonya toun mahmedagan
Che vor che chim ouni
Che vor che chim ouni
Toun mahmedagan yes krisdonya
Che vor che chim ouni.

Moush, the Saint Garabed Monastery. Acrobats, musicians, and spectators (Source: Hairenik monthly, Vol. VIII, No. 7 (91), May 1930, p. 122).

32- Our Knatsir Our Egar [Where Did You Go, Where Did You Come?]

Our knatsir our egar
Vay sarin vay karin vay siraharin
Toun im srdin tour egar
Talini zingome darav ko yarin

Knalout kalout mernem vay merig merig
Yaralou chanit mernem
Talini zingome darav ko yarin

Yar chan ari yes (parem) vay merig merig
Khatrit g’asem es khaghe
Talini zingome darav ko yarin.

33- Kna Kna Kalis Em Le Le Le Le Meyro [Go, Go, I’m Coming Le Le Le Le Meyro]

Kna Kna Kalis Em Le Le Le Le Meyro
Sirds letsve lalis em gvrer yem de seyro

Aghper selert hanetsir le le le le meyro
Bari meche tsanetsir gvrer em de seyro

Yar chan ari is bare le le le le meyro
Khatrit g’asem es khaghe gvrer em de seyro

Ktale yughi mechn e le le le le meyro
Siradzs kughi mechn e gvrer yem de seyro

Eli yegav ashoune le le le le meyro
Aghchigneri pashkhoume gvrer yem de seyro

Garmir khoche msatsou le le le le meyro
Mer Kakign er pesatsou gvrer yem de seyro

Sbidag khoche msatsou le le le le meyro
Areknazn er harsnatsou gvrer yem de seyro.

An Armenian fedayee squad. Standing, left to right: Sahag Hagopian, Setrag Khaloyants, Captain Pokhig, and Shadakhtsi Yevnan (Yevnan of Shadakh). Seated, left to right: Khourshout, Arshag, Hagop Arslanian, Sarkis Bedrosian, and Movses Avedisian (Source: ARF Album, Western USA).

34- Mer Dan Yedev Pour me Bndoug [A Handful of Hazelnuts Behind Our House]

Mer dan yedev pour me bndoug helleydon donni e
Arav zbndoug medav sndoug helleydon donni e
Donni donni donni donnni helleydon donni e

Mer dan yedev pour me bndoug helleydon donni e
Mer dan yedev aroun hanadz helleydon donni e

Aroun hanoug chour me gi ker helleydon donni e
Em yar g’ane bar me gi ker helleydon donni e
Donni donni donni donni helleydon donni e

Mdav sndoug geras bndoug helleydon donni e
Derder yegav morouk gndoug helleydon donni e
Vertsrets morkour mdav sndoug helleydon donni e
Mdan sndoug geras bndoug helleydon donni e
Donni donni donni donni helleydon donni e.

A panorama of the village of Geligouzan (present-day Cevizlidere). In the background, in the distance, is the summit of Mount Andok (Source: Hairenik monthly, Vol. VIII, No. 7 (91), May 1930, p. 112).

35- Imal Ener Khatoun Gisour

Imal ener imal ener imal ener khatoun gisour
Yar bzdig er shvarer em khatoun gisour

Khatoun gisour khatoun gisour khatoun gisour khatoun gisour
Khrad me dour kou dzour dghin khatoun gisour
Ch’erte bargi komshi msour khatoun gisour

Lever lever lever lever
(Tapan geradz em …)

36- Aghchi Haygo [Haygo the Girl]

Aghchi Haygo doshet mi pana
(Mala doysh al tadem) el chem timana
Yes kezi siretsi mort khoskove
Mort mi eser taper mnar vosgore

Kaylvadzkt gakavi (yerishet khazi)
G’ertam panag ge kam ge danem kezi
Aghchi Haygo Haygo doshet mi pana
(Mala doysh al tadem) el chem timana.