Blog

Click here or on the image for a balalaika tutorial video. This is an abridged version of a lesson, for the full duration and HD quality please consider becoming a member. For previous lessons please visit Archives.

“Kalinka” (Russian: Калинка) is a Russian song written in 1860 by the composer and folklorist Ivan Larionov and first performed in Saratov as part of a theatrical entertainment that he had composed. Soon it was added to the repertory of a folk choral group.

The refrain of the song refers to the kalinka, which is the snowball tree. It has a speedy tempo and light-hearted lyrics.

Kalinka was made famous in the West by the Soviet figure skaters Irina Rodnina and Alexei Ulanov. Since then it is the most requested tune on any Russian gig.

Lyrics

[column width=”28%” padding=”4%”]

Russian

Калинка, калинка, калинка моя!
В саду ягода малинка, малинка моя!

Ах, под сосною, под зеленою,
Спать положите вы меня!
Ай-люли, люли, ай-люли,
Спать положите вы меня.

Калинка, калинка, калинка моя!
В саду ягода малинка, малинка моя!

Ах, сосенушка ты зеленая,
Не шуми же надо мной!
Ай-люли, люли, ай-люли,
Не шуми же надо мной!

Калинка, калинка, калинка моя!
В саду ягода малинка, малинка моя!

Ах, красавица, душа-девица,
Полюби же ты меня!
Ай-люли, люли, ай-люли,
Полюби же ты меня!

Калинка, калинка, калинка моя!
В саду ягода малинка, малинка моя![/column]

[column width=”28%” padding=”4%”]

Transliterated

Kalinka, kalinka, kalinka moya!
V sadu yagoda malinka, malinka moya!

Akh, pod sosnoyu, pod zelenoyu,
Spat’ polozhite vy menya!
Ay-lyuli, lyuli, ay-lyuli,
Spat’ polozhite vy menya.

Kalinka, kalinka, kalinka moya!
V sadu yagoda malinka, malinka moya!

Akh, sosyenushka ty zyelyenaya,
Nye shumi zhe nado mnoy!
Ay-lyuli, lyuli, ay-lyuli,
Nye shumi zhe nado mnoy!

Kalinka, kalinka, kalinka moya!
V sadu yagoda malinka, malinka moya!

Akh, krasavitsa, dusha-dyevitsa,
Polyubi zhe ty menya!
Ay-lyuli, lyuli, ay-lyuli,
Polyubi zhe ty menya!

Kalinka, kalinka, kalinka moya!
V sadu yagoda malinka, malinka moya!

[/column]

[column width=”28%” padding=”4%”]

English

Little snowberry, snowberry, snowberry of mine!
Little raspberry in the garden, my little raspberry!

Ah, under the pine, the green one,
Lay me down to sleep,
Ah, rock-a-baby,
Lay me down to sleep.

Little snowberry, snowberry, snowberry of mine!
Little raspberry in the garden, my little raspberry!

Ah, little pine, little green one,
Don’t rustle above me,
Ah, rock-a-baby,
Don’t rustle above me.

Little snowberry, snowberry, snowberry of mine!
Little raspberry in the garden, my little raspberry!

Ah, you beauty, pretty maiden,
Take a fancy to me,
Ah, rock-a-baby,
Take a fancy to me.

Little snowberry, snowberry, snowberry of mine!
Little raspberry in the garden, my little raspberry!

[/column][end_columns]

—
create a tweet

—