In Russian Kalinka means snowball tree, and the song is one of the most popular Russian folk songs. Kalinka is also associated with the famous traditional dance Preesyadka.
The song is a composition by the famous folklorist Ivan Larionov (1860) who included it for the first time in a theater show in Saratov. Since then, Kalinka has been part of Russia’s popular choral repertoire.
Kalinka Lyrics
“Kalinka” Russian Lyrics
Припев:
Калинка, калинка,
калинка моя!
В саду ягода малинка,
малинка моя!
Сосенушка ты зелёная
Не шуми ты надо мной
Ай люли, люли, ай, люли, люли,
Не шуми ты надо мной
Припев
Красавица, душа-девица,
Полюби же ты меня,
Ай, люли, люли, aй, люли, люли,
Полюби же ты меня!
Припев
“Kalinka” English Translation
(Chorus)
Little red berry,
Little red berry of mine!
In the garden is a little raspberry,
My little raspberry!
Under the green pine tree
Lay me down to sleep
Oh, lyuli, lyuli, oh, lyuli, lyuli,*
Lay me down to sleep.
(Chorus)
Beautiful woman, soul-maiden,
Fall in love with me!
Oh, lyuli, lyuli, oh, lyuli, lyuli,
Fall in love with me!
(Chorus)