Song - Onnik Dinkjian | Diyarbekir/Dikranagerd
On this page, we present folk songs from Diarbekir/Dikranagerd performed by Onnik Dinkjian. We have also included other songs in the Diarbekir dialect or inspired by Diarbekir that appear in Onnik Dinkjian’s repertoire. Our deepest gratitude to Ara Dinkjian for his assistance in preparing this page.
Onnik Dinkjian
Onnik Dinkjian was born in Paris, France in 1929. His parents, Garabed and Zora Milliyan, were born in Dikranagerd/Diyarbakir, Ottoman Empire, and died when Onnik was a young boy. He was adopted by his godparents, Nishan and Oghida Dinkjian, who were also born in Dikranagerd.
As a young man, besides French, Onnik heard and spoke Armenian, but only with the unique and colorful Dikrangerd dialect. Indeed, all of the family’s acquaintances were Dikranagerdtsi, so until arriving in America, Onnik thought all Armenians spoke that way.
He found happiness and comfort in singing, initially in the Armenian Church of Paris. Upon arriving in America in the late 1940s, he began performing at secular functions and quickly became the most-loved singer of the Armenian-American community. To meet the demands of his audience, he released several recordings of Armenian folk and popular music. However, Mr. Dinkjian, an ordained deacon, never lost his great love of Armenian liturgical music, and released an entire CD (“Havadamk”) of emotionally performed sacred hymns of the Armenian Church.
His fame as a great interpreter of Armenian song has brought him to concert halls throughout Europe, The United States, the Middle East, and South America. His CD release “Voice Of Armenians” was recorded at a sold-out concert in the holy city of Jerusalem.
In 2015, commemorating the 100-year anniversary of the Armenian Genocide, Onnik Dinkjian participated in memorial concerts in Diyarbakir/Dikranagerd, Istanbul, Germany, and Washington D.C.
In addition to his singing, Mr. Dinkjian has composed many songs, some of which are sung in his native (Dikranagerd) dialect.
He has passed his love and passion of Armenian music to his son, oud player and composer Ara Dinkjian. Together, they have recorded Onnik’s latest CD release, “Diyarbekiri Hokin” (The Soul of Dikranagerd). Onnik and Ara are the subject of the documentary film “Garod”.
In December, 2019, His Holiness Aram 1, Catholicos of the Holy See of Cilicia, bestowed upon Onnik Dinkjian the Mesrob Mashtots medal for his long-time career in Armenian traditional music.
1- Badmootinire 1 [The Stories 1]
2- Diyarbakiri Hokin [The Soul of Diyarbakir]
3- Amenuh Daran [They took everyone]
4- Hele Hele (Dikranagerd folk song)
5- Havuh Gorav [The Hen is Lost]
6- Badmootinire 2 [The Stories 2]
7- Medley: Yardele/Karnan Dzaghig/Anooshig Aghchig [Yardele/Flower of Spring/Sweet Girl]
8- Diarbakir Peshrevi
9- Oy Januhm [Oh, My Dear]
10- Zooyk Muh Aghavni [A Pair of Doves]
11- Hasaguht Partsuhr (Kale Kale) [You Are Tall (Walk, Walk)]
12- Sheg Mazerov Er [My Love With Red Hair]
13- Vay Babo [Oh Daddy]
14- Pesan Tuhrash Muhn Enink [We’re Going To Shave The Groom]
15- Nanay
16- Siranoosh
17- Tsavirsi [My Pains]
18- Nare
19- Mamis [My Mother]
20- Hangardz [Suddenly
Video: Ara & Onnik Dinkjian Sextet Concert. 2018 Retrieved from the Library of Congress, <www.loc.gov/item/webcast-8568/>.
1- Badmootinire 1 [The Stories 1]
2- Diyarbakiri Hokin [The Soul of Diyarbakir]
Lyrics: Onnik Dinkjian, Music: Yandan Gel (anonymous)
Takhtin vuhra knirenk Badane shad pantsuhr er Chorus: Khoshoor mir tsuhmeruguh Pashi paghnike gertenk Chorus: Uhmuhn desag khagherov Khanchapake khoroo ye Chorus: Surp Sarkise irantsn e Chorus: | I’m sleeping on the roof The wall was very tall The soul of Dikrangerd Our large watermelons We would go to the Pasha Bath The soul of Diyarbakir With all kinds of games Hanchepek is far The soul of Dikranagerd Surp Sarkis is theirs The soul of Diyarbakir |
3- Amenuh Daran [They took everyone]
Dikranagerd folk song
Amenuh daran, yesi chuh daran, keyamo Ellank puhlink pantsuhrtsuhnink, keyamo Uhse baboos uhndzi habir togh charne Inch aghvor e pantsuhr foorni hatsire Irgoon g’eghna yesi khoskov guh garkin Guhnookh g’eghna hala dighis gonirim | They took everyone but me Let’s go, demolish it, make it taller Tell my father not to get jewelry How nice are the bakery district’s breads In the evening, they’re betrothing me In the morning, I’m still in my place. |
4- Hele Hele
Dikranagerd folk song
Zhamoon tore ganire Baghn inche, baghchan inche? Pantsuhr dzar, kaghtsuhr buhdoogh Kuhnoog enk artuhntsootsir Toon ki yesi chuhm n’arnir Aghchig anoonit Anna Ogo uhnzi bak mi door | She was standing by the church door What is a farm, what is a garden? Tall plant, sweet fruit Girl with the name Anna Come give me a kiss |
5- Havuh Gorav [The Hen is Lost]
Music & lyrics: Onnik Dinkjian
Hav mi onenk shad khorodig Guhnookh or mi mir dan temen Yes uhsetsi oghool yoor e Inch eretsir, inch eretsir Digin Nvart, chim desirim Karsoon dari antsav kuhnats Hade daghvatmi muh uhnink Digin Nvart khadat arnim | We had a chicken, very plump One morning near our house I said, my goodness, “where is it?” What did you do, what did you do Mrs. Nvart, I haven’t seen it Forty years came and went Let’s have a party Mrs. Nvart, let me take your pain |
6- Badmootinire 2 [The Stories 2]
7- Medley: Yardele/Karnan Dzaghig/Anooshig Aghchig [Yardele/Flower of Spring/Sweet Girl]
Words: Onnik Dinkjian
Mir mootfoonan boolghoorov Mir kavoorman khuhndzoorov Mir knafan banirov Karnan dzaghig es, yar jan Sosiyin baruh, yar jan Tuhrchoon yes uhllayi Garodov guhsbasem Anooshig aghchig, keghetsig aghchig | Our eggplant meal with bulgur Our lamb roast with apples You are the flower of spring Sosy’s dance If I was a bird I wait with longing Sweet girl, pretty girl |
8- Diarbakir Peshrevi
9- Oy Januhm [Oh, My Dear]
Music & lyrics: Karekin Proodian
Hooseynigi sazeruh Dzarin vuhra nush guhlla, Chorus: Mer dan archev gananch e Tert gartam yeres yeres, Chorus: | The music of Huseynig Almonds grow on trees, roses have thorns Oh my dear It’s green in front of our house I read the newspaper from cover to cover Oh my dear |
10- Zooyk Muh Aghavni [A Pair of Doves]
Music & lyrics: Hovsep Shamlian
Zooyk muh jermag aghavni, Karoon eger sokhaguh Ogo chayin kuhraghuh, | A pair of white doves fly on your chest The spring has arrived, the nightingale Come to the edge of the stream, |
11- Hasaguht Partsuhr (Kale Kale) [You Are Tall (Walk, Walk)]
Music & lyrics: Hovsep Shamlian
Hasaguh partsuhr, hampooyruht kaghtsuhr Chorus: Amen or ardoo, yeresuht juhbdoon Chorus: Honkeruht gamar, achkeruht zartar Chorus: | Her height, her sweet kisses Come on, walk, come on, walk Every morning, your smiling face Come on, walk, come on, walk Your defined eyebrows, your shining eyes |
12- Sheg Mazerov Er [My Love With Red Hair]
Music & lyrics: Hovsep Shamlian
Yar m’ooneyi ink shad pari, Chorus: Darinerov uhsbasetsi, Chorus: Mayruh hangardz mitkuh pokhets, Chorus: Garmuhrdoon ayderuh posignerov er | I had a love, she was so nice, Her rosy cheeks with dimples I waited for years, The mother suddenly changed her mind, |
13- Vay Babo [Oh Daddy]
Lyrics: Onnik Dinkjian, Music: Anonymous, To the melody of Ay Cemo Ah Cemile
Shuhptor paghniki or e Guh kuhse nants guh kuhse Achkis esten enten e Kinam goozis hos ganis | Saturday is bath day She rubs and rubs, My eyes roam here and there I know you want to stay |
14- Pesan Tuhrash Muhn Enink [We’re Going To Shave The Groom]
Lyrics: Onnik Dinkjian, Music: Ali Kızıltuğ, To the melody of Ağlayan Gülmedi Mi
Pesan tuhrash muhn enink, Khorodig, morodig, Derderuh khachuh guh puhrne, Khorodig, morodig, Shakar kimi kaghtsuhr is, Khorodig, morodig, | We’re going to shave the groom, Our bride is very beautiful The priest holds the cross You are as sweet as sugar, |
15- Nanay
Music source: Celal Guzelses
Er gerar shakar ishi, Nanay nanay dardirsi shad mi pana (2 X) Er gerar rahati lokhoom, Nanay nanay dardirsi shad mi pana (2 X) Nuhsdire horoo koshan, Nanay nanay dardirsi shad mi pana (2 X) Yes kezi yar muhnenim, Nanay nanay dardirsi shad mi pana (2 X) Nuhsdire tonduhrdoonuh, Nanay nanay dardirsi shad mi pana (2 X) | Why did you eat the candy? Nanay, nanay, don’t bother me Why did you eat the lokhum? Nanay, nanay, don’t bother me He’s sitting in the corner, Nanay, nanay, don’t bother me I’m going to make you my love, Nanay, nanay, don’t bother me He’s sitting in the kitchen, Nanay, nanay, don’t bother me |
16- Siranoosh
Lyrics: Hampartsoom Cherchian, To the melody of Makaram Sarı Bağlar (Source: Selahattin Mazlumoğlü)
Siroon aghchig im suhrdisi soonn es toon, Boyiti lav yerguhntser e, Bargenk sirenk hoodit arnenk vartn anoosh, | Sweet girl, you’re the foundation of my heart You’ve grown tall, give it to me Let’s sleep, let’s love, |
17- Tsavirsi [My Pains]
Lyrics: Onnik Dinkjian, To the melody of Meclisinde Mail Oldun (Source: Celal Guzelses)
Hala ni che, inch khuhsis Jivirsi nants guh gota Doktore hab mi duhvits Shalagtsi nans guh tsava | Never mind how are you, My legs are throbbing The doctor gave me a pill My shoulders ache |
18- Nare
Music: Celal Guzelses
Icha chayi kinare, nare Chorus: Chayuh chooruh chi dani, nare Chorus: Nuhsdire badoo daguh, nare Chorus: | I came down by the river side The stream’s water doesn’t flow He’s seated in the corner |
19- Mamis [My Mother]
Lyrics: Onnik Dinkjian, To the melody of Ağlama Yar Ağlama (Source: Celal Guzelses)
Ges kisher er loosnagov anam, Gamats gamats gookayin anam, Zoran gerker minchev looys anam, Mi lar yavroos mi lar yar anam, | Midnight with the moon, Slowly they would come, Zora would sing until dawn, Don’t cry my dear, |
20- Hangardz [Suddenly]
Lyrics: Onnik Dinkjian, Music: Anonymous, To the melody of Bahçede Güller Açmıs
Hangardz desa jampis vuhra Chorus: Gamats gamats yes modetsa Chorus: Hamozetsi, yegoor uhsi Chorus: | Suddenly, I saw on my path, My friend, my brother, Slowly I approached, My friend, my brother, I persuaded him, I told him come, My friend, my brother, |