"Несе Галя воду" – A Timeless Ukrainian Folk Song

Sep 30

"Несе Галя воду" ("Nese Galya Vodu") is a cherished Ukrainian folk song that beautifully captures themes of love, longing, and rural life. The song tells the story of Galya, a young girl carrying water, while Ivan, enamored by her beauty, follows her like a winding periwinkle, a symbol of devotion in Ukrainian culture

«Несе Галя воду»

Несе Галя воду, коромисло гнеться.

За нею Іванко, як барвінок в'ється.

Галю, ж, моя, Галю, дай води напиться.

Ти ж така хороша, дай хоч подивиться.

Вода у ставочку, піди, та й напийся.

Я ж буду в садочку, прийди подивися.

Прийшов у садочок, зозуля кувала.

А ти ж мене, Галю, та й не шанувала.

Стелися, барвінку, буду поливати.

Вернися, Іванку, буду шанувати.

Скільки не стелився, ти не поливала.

Скільки не вертався, ти не шанувала.

Несе Галя воду, коромисло гнеться.

За нею Іванко, як барвінок в'ється.

"Galya Carries Water"

Galya carries water, and the yoke bends.
Ivan follows her, winding like a periwinkle.
Ivan follows her, winding like a periwinkle.

"Galya, my dear Galya, give me some water to drink.
You're so lovely, let me at least look at you.
You're so lovely, let me at least look at you."

"The water is in the pond, go and drink from it.
I'll be in the garden, come and see me.
I'll be in the garden, come and see me."

He came to the garden, the cuckoo was singing.
But you, Galya, did not honor me.
But you, Galya, did not honor me.

"Periwinkle, grow, and I'll water you.
Come back, Ivan, and I'll cherish you.
Come back, Ivan, and I'll cherish you."

"As much as you grew, you didn't water me.
As much as I returned, you didn't cherish me.
As much as I returned, you didn't cherish me."

As much as I returned, you didn't cherish me.
As much as I returned, you didn't cherish me.

Galya carries water, and the yoke bends.
Ivan follows her, winding like a periwinkle.
Ivan follows her, winding like a periwinkle.

Masha Ellsworth

"Несе Галя воду" – A Timeless Ukrainian Folk Song