Learn Ukrainian with music
Song: Черво́на ру́та | Red ruta flower
Singer/Band: Софія Ротару
Video + lyrics + translation
Sofia Rotaru is a former Soviet and Ukrainian pop singer of Romanian origin. She became extremely popular in the Soviet Union with the song “Chervona ruta” performed in Ukrainian.
This song has maintained its popularity through generations. The word “рута” means a kind of yellow flower that, according to a legend, magically becomes red for one night, on the eve of Ivan Kupala Day. A girl that finds that flower can cast a love spell on whoever she wants. The song is about a man who is so much in love with a girl that he wonders if she used the flower to put a spell on him.
Learning Ukrainian songs by heart is a great way to improve your language skills. Watch the song, read the translation and pay close attention to the highlighted words.
Ukrainian lyrics and English translation
Черво́на ру́та
Red ruta flower
Ти призна́йся менí звíдки в те́бе ті ча́ри,
Я без те́бе всі дні у поло́ні печа́лі.
Мо́же, десь у ліса́х ти чар-зíлля шука́ла,
Со́нце ру́ту знайшла́ і мене́ зчарува́ла.
Я без те́бе всі дні у поло́ні печа́лі.
Мо́же, десь у ліса́х ти чар-зíлля шука́ла,
Со́нце ру́ту знайшла́ і мене́ зчарува́ла.
Confess to me where did you get these charms from
Without you, I’m caught in sorrow every day
Maybe, somewhere in the forest you looked for a magic potion You found the sunny “ruta” and put a spell on me.
Without you, I’m caught in sorrow every day
Maybe, somewhere in the forest you looked for a magic potion You found the sunny “ruta” and put a spell on me.
Черво́ну ру́ту не шука́й вечора́ми,
Ти у ме́не єди́на, тíльки ти, повíр.
Бо тво́я вро́да то є чи́стая во́да,
То є би́страя во́да з си́ніх гір.
Ти у ме́не єди́на, тíльки ти, повíр.
Бо тво́я вро́да то є чи́стая во́да,
То є би́страя во́да з си́ніх гір.
Don’t search for a red ruta in the evening
You are the only one for me, believe me.
Because your beauty is (like) clear water
It is fast water from blue mountains.
You are the only one for me, believe me.
Because your beauty is (like) clear water
It is fast water from blue mountains.
Ба́чу я тебе́ в снах, у дібро́вах зеле́них
По забу́тих стежка́х ти прихо́диш до ме́не.
І не тре́ба нести́ менí квíтку надíї,
Бо давно́ уже́ ти увійшла́ в мої́ мрíї.
По забу́тих стежка́х ти прихо́диш до ме́не.
І не тре́ба нести́ менí квíтку надíї,
Бо давно́ уже́ ти увійшла́ в мої́ мрíї.
I see you in my dreams in green oak woods
On forgotten paths, you come to me.
And you don’t need to bring me the flower of hope,
Because a long time ago, you entered into my dreams.
On forgotten paths, you come to me.
And you don’t need to bring me the flower of hope,
Because a long time ago, you entered into my dreams.
Черво́ну ру́ту не шука́й вечора́ми,
Ти у ме́не єди́на, тíльки ти, повíр.
Бо тво́я вро́да то є чи́стая во́да,
То є би́страя во́да з си́ніх гір.
Ти у ме́не єди́на, тíльки ти, повíр.
Бо тво́я вро́да то є чи́стая во́да,
То є би́страя во́да з си́ніх гір.
Don’t search for a red ruta in the evening
You are the only one for me, believe me.
Because your beauty is (like) clear water
It is fast water from blue mountains.
You are the only one for me, believe me.
Because your beauty is (like) clear water
It is fast water from blue mountains.
Черво́ну ру́ту не шука́й вечора́ми,
Ти у ме́не єди́на, тíльки ти, повíр.
Бо тво́я вро́да то є чи́стая во́да,
То є би́страя во́да з си́ніх гір.
То є би́страя во́да з си́ніх гір.
То є би́страя во́да з си́ніх гір.
Ти у ме́не єди́на, тíльки ти, повíр.
Бо тво́я вро́да то є чи́стая во́да,
То є би́страя во́да з си́ніх гір.
То є би́страя во́да з си́ніх гір.
То є би́страя во́да з си́ніх гір.
Don’t search for a red ruta in the evening
You are the only one for me, believe me.
Because your beauty is (like) clear water
It is fast water from blue mountains.
It is fast water from blue mountains.
It is fast water from blue mountains.
You are the only one for me, believe me.
Because your beauty is (like) clear water
It is fast water from blue mountains.
It is fast water from blue mountains.
It is fast water from blue mountains.
