Russian songs for Children

The following is one of my favorite Russian songs for children.  It is said to come from the cossacks, Russian or actually Ukrainian  independent horseman.  These lullabies or songs for children are part story with a moral, part fairy-tale and part song.

I know the word Cossack as different meanings to different people. But this is a children’s song and it means simply brave horseman. Do not read too much into it. Look at the colorful paintings of Cossacks and dolls for kids and you will understand the meaning is like wooden soldier or something.

Russian like other Slavic languages have 100s of diminutives in the language. Like my name is Mark, But it could be anything from Marku, Marekcu, Markey, Markachcu etc. Women in particular know how to make diminutives much better than guys. It is almost like the speak a different language then men.

Cossack lullaby

Russian childrens songs

Russian childrens songs

Казачья Колыбельная Песня

Спи, младенец мой прекрасный,
Баюшки-баю.
Тихо смотрит месяц ясный
В колыбель твою.
Стану сказывать я сказки,
Песенку спою;
Ты ж дремли, закрывши глазки,
Баюшки-баю.

Sleep, my little beautiful one,
Bayushki bayu,
With her quite face the moon, she is looking
upon your bed. (Translators note, Moon in Russian is Luna, therefore it is feminine and is a she. In Slavic languages the translations are often better by leaving gender in, such as referring to the moon as ‘she’ or the clouds as ‘she’).
I will tell you fairy-tales of enchanted places
And sing you  some little songs,
But before I sing to you my darling you must dream, with your little eyes closed,
Bayushki bayu.

Сам узнаешь, будет время,
Бранное житье;
Смело вденешь ногу в стремя
И возьмешь ружье.
Я седельце боевое
Шелком разошью…
Спи, дитя мое родное,
Баюшки-баю.

There will be a time, after you will learn about life,
When with courage you will place your foot into the stirrup
And take your rifle (hmm a little too much for me).
Throw you saddle across your horse
I will sew this saddle from silk.
Sleep now, my dear little child, My little one.
Bayushki bayu.

Богатырь ты будешь с виду
И казак душой.
Провожать тебя я выйду —
Ты махнешь рукой…
Сколько горьких слез украдкой
Я в ту ночь пролью!..
Спи, мой ангел, тихо, сладко,
Баюшки-баю.

You will be as a hero
And a brave Cossack.
Remember, I will ride along with you by your side,
You will just wave your hand
How many secret bitter tears
Will I cry for you that night that you ride away, but now
Sleep, my darling angel, sleep.
Bayushki bayu.

Стану я тоской томиться,
Безутешно ждать;
Стану целый день молиться,
По ночам гадать;
Стану думать, что скучаешь
Ты в чужом краю…
Спи ж, пока забот не знаешь,
Баюшки-баю.

I will cry because I will miss you,
I will wait for you forever for your return,
I will aways pray for you whilst I am waiting,
And in the evening and when night comes, I will wait and dream of where you are,
I will worry about you and fear for your troubles in some distant land.
Sleep now, and do not think of such sadness and sorrows,

Maybe it will never be.
Bayushki bayu.

Дам тебе я на дорогу
Образок святой:
Ты его, моляся богу,
Ставь перед собой;
Да, готовясь в бой опасный,
Помни мать свою…
Спи, младенец мой прекрасный,
Баюшки-баю

I will give you for your travels,
A small icon,
Pray with this resting on your forehead.
Let it be for protection before ride
Please remember your mama.
Sleep, good boy, my beautiful,
Bayushki bayu.

This is a pretty sad song or Russian lullaby. Was it that sad and hard way back then?

More Russian children’s songs

If you want to learn more about Russian children’s songs or you know some Russian songs for children please write me and I can post these.  I am thinking of creating mp3s of some of these songs. I am also considering building a collection of Russian music in general.

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