Ukrainian Folk Music: The Top 10 Songs You Need to Know
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Ukrainian folk music is some of the most beautiful and unique in the world. If you’re looking to explore this fascinating genre, here are the top 10 songs you need to know.
What is Ukrainian Folk Music?
Russian and Ukrainian folk music includes a wide variety of styles, from the upbeat and cheerful to the moving and melancholy. Sometimes called “village” music, it often tells stories of love, loss, and everyday life. Folk music played an important role in the development of both Russian and Ukrainian classical music, and many of the country’s greatest composers, including Tchaikovsky, Borodin, and Rimsky-Korsakov, drew heavily on folk melodies in their work.
Today, Ukrainian folk music is enjoying something of a renaissance, with many young musicians rediscovering and reinterpreting the traditional songs of their grandparents’ generation. If you’re curious to explore this rich musical tradition, here are ten of the most essential Ukrainian folk songs that you need to know.
The Top 10 Ukrainian Folk Songs
Ukraine has a long and rich history of folk music. The songs are often about the country’s beautiful landscapes, the hard-working people who live there, love, and loss.
If you’re interested in learning more about Ukrainian folk music, here are 10 of the most popular songs that you need to know:
1. “Cheremshyna”
2. “Hayduchyk”
3. “Kozak za Dunayem”
4. “Oy U Khrysti Noch'”
5. “Plach Yeremiyi”
6. “Poltava”
7. “Prysni meni, Prysni”
8. “Shchedryk”
9. “Smert'”
10. “Vodohray”
The Origins of Ukrainian Folk Music
Ukrainian folk music is some of the richest and most varied in all of Europe. With influences from both Eastern and Western traditions, Ukrainian folk music has something for everyone.
The origins of Ukrainian folk music can be traced back to the 9th century, when the first Slavic tribes began to settle in what is now Ukraine. Over time, these tribes developed their own unique musical traditions, which were eventually passed down from generation to generation.
Today, Ukrainian folk music is enjoyed by people all over the world. Here are ten of the most popular Ukrainian folk songs that you need to know:
1. “Cossack Beyond the Don” (“Козаки за Доном”) – This traditional Ukrainian folk song tells the story of a group of Cossacks who travel beyond the river Don in search of adventure.
2. “The Cherry Orchard” (“Вишневий сад”) – This classic Ukrainian folk song is about a young woman who tends to a cherry orchard and dreams of one day getting married.
3. “The Hutsul Girl” (“Гуцулька”) – This traditional Ukrainian folk song tells the story of a young Hutsul girl who is being courted by a wealthy man from Kiev.
4. “The Blacksmith” (“Кузнечик”) – This popular Ukrainian folk song tells the story of a blacksmith who falls in love with a village girl.
5. “The Cuckoo” (“Кукушка”) – This classic Ukrainian folk song is about a young woman who is waiting for her lover to return from war.
6. “The Birch Tree” (“Береза”) – This beautiful Ukrainian folk song is about a young woman who dreams of marrying her true love beneath a birch tree.
7.”Susannah Don’t You Cry” (“Сусянко не плачь”)- This traditional Ukrainian folk song is about a young woman whose fiancé has been drafted into the army and sent off to war. 8.”Oh My Field, My Field!” (“Oi polia moi, polia!”)- This popular Ukrainiansong is about a farmer who dreams of owning his own land one day.- 9.”I Wish I Was a Sunbeam” (“Byv she sunets komarovoyu”)-This beautifulUkraine ballad is about a young woman who longs to be reunited with her lost love.- 10.”Down by Mother Volga”(“Oy po Khorynoi matushke”)-This traditional Russian song was adopted by Ukraine and tells the story of two lovers who meet by the River Volga.
The Instruments Used in Ukrainian Folk Music
Instruments used in Ukrainian folk music are varied, but often include the following:
-The bandura is a traditional Ukrainian folk instrument that is part of the lute family. It typically has between 16 and 25 strings, and is plucked with the fingers. The bandura has a long history, and was mentioned in Ukrainian folk songs as far back as the 16th century.
-The trembita is a giant alpine horn that can be up to six feet long. It’s made from a hollowed out tree trunk, and produces a deep, resonant sound. The trembita was traditionally used as a signalling device in the mountains, but is now more commonly heard in folk music.
-The kobza is another traditional lute-like instrument that has between 10 and 14 strings. It’s played with a plectrum, and has a soft, mellow sound. The kobza was particularly popular in the 18th and 19th centuries, and was often used for storytelling or as accompaniment for other instruments.
-The dulcimer is a percussion instrument that’s also known as the hammer dulcimer. It’s made from a wooden box that’s open at one end, with metal plates (called strings) stretched across it. The dulcimer is played by striking the strings with small hammers, which produces a chiming sound.
The Popularity of Ukrainian Folk Music Today
Ukrainian folk music is having a moment. Thanks to the popularity of Netflix’s The Witcher, the British band Gogol Bordello, and Ukrainian-American singer-songwriter Lana Del Rey, there’s been a renewed interest in the traditional music of Ukraine.
Whether you’re looking for songs to add to your workout playlist or you want to learn more about the music of Ukraine, here are ten Ukrainian folk songs you need to know.
1. “Dity net” by Taras Shevchenko
2. “Shchedryk” by Mykola Leontovych
3. “The Cossack Went A-Riding” by Pyrohy Virtuosi
4. “Kalyna” by Kapela ze Wsi Warszawa
5. “Dovzhenka” by Oleg Skrypka
6. “Oi na honchari” by DakhaBrakha
7. “Zozuljka” by Leanid Zakharenka
8. “Veresai” by Vizavi Musketyoriv 9. “Hayduky” by DakhaBrakha 10. “Shchob u nebo vijshli oblaky” by Kulakowski
The Future of Ukrainian Folk Music
The future of Ukrainian folk music is likely to be shaped by a number of factors, including the increasing popularity of traditional music in the country, the increasing popularity of Ukrainian musicians in the West, and the continued interest in Ukrainian music among young people. While it is impossible to predict exactly what will happen in the future, it seems likely that Ukrainian folk music will continue to be popular both in Ukraine and abroad.
