Negdje u daljine - Lead vocal Mary Sherhart
A heart in a land far away from home longs for the warm embrace of her sweetheart as she senses her youth slipping away. "Distance has separated many hearts. Is your heart still faithful or does love die in silent oblivion over time?"
Purvi grjah - Lead vocal Mary Sherhart
Thinking her affections were not reciprocated, she breaks it off with her sweetheart. "My first sin was that my soul yearned and my heart thirsted for true love. My first sin was loving you beyond reason, but I understood too late that you loved me, too. Come back to me, my dear. I will meet you with kisses and wash away my first sin with tears."
Hanuma - Lead vocal Michael Lawson
"Do you remember, Hanuma, when we were young? When we loved one another? Oh, beautiful Hanuma, I have loved you for years. Today is your sixteenth birthday. Everything in your life is beautiful and I desire you. I know you wear the veil over your beautiful face and your red lips, so that you laugh only to yourself. Oh, Hanuma, please, remove your veil! For years I have longed to see your face.” She removed her veil and smiled at me, I leaned over and kissed her red lips.
Jam Duri Duri & Csardas - Lead vocal John Morovich
"As night falls we depart for the Roma (Gypsy) camp. Hitch up the cart! Hurry! Saddle up the horses! I can already hear the strain of the beautiful violin and its crazy rhythm. I love the music and its clear tone. I love our life!" "
Stambol Grad - Lead vocal Dragi Spasovski
"I am going all the way to Istanbul to find my Jovan. When I got there all the market resounded with song. Jovan was drinking and enjoying himself, and in front of him a beautiful girl bellydanced. Leave Istanbul, Jovan, and come back!"
Violino Ne Sviraj - Lead vocal Marko Vukadinovic
"Don’t play, violin! It reminds me of my bygone days of youth filled with happiness. It triggers pain in my heart. Hopes, for nothing. Dreams, for nothing. She left and will never come back to me, yet I still love her."
Our First CD - Nostalgic Cafe Songs from the Balkans
Alaj mi je veceras po volji
Traditional, village of Crnuca, western Sumadija, Serbia
Our traditional opening number because it is such a great party song.
Cherveno vino snoshti pih
Starogradski or "old town" genre, Bulgaria
A classic song that Bulgarians sing around evening tables of rakia i salatka (plum brandy and salad).
Godini godini
Traditional, east Bulgaria
We recorded this song on September 11, 2002, one year after so many souls had lost their lives and loved ones in the World Trade Center collapse. Mary had just come from leading a choir at a memorial service at Town Hall in Seattle. Our hearts were heavy with sadness.
Rakija i cigari
Contemporary, Macedonia; composer Chris Bajmakovich
The talented accordionist and composer Chris Bajmakovich of Gary, Indiana, wrote this incredibly emotive song. We thank Chris many times over for his permission to include it on our CD. Audiences always go crazy when we do it because the melody supports the lyric so compassionately. Bravo, Chris!
Janichari hodjat mamo
Traditional, Bulgaria
Michael Lawson sings this Bulgarian song reflecting the merciless history that honed the people’s strength and depth.
