And then it hit me...I remember this one quite well. This song symbolizes two firsts for me: my first trip abroad and my first... I’ll let the video explain to you the second. But for your reference, here are the lyrics and it’s translation. It’s a touching song...I hope the young man still gets to marry the maiden promised to her. ;-)
Put Vejini
Put, vejini, dzen laivinu, Blow wind, drive my boat,
Aizdzen mani Kurzeme. Drive me to Kurzeme.
Kurzemniece man solija A woman from Kurzeme promised me
Sav' meitinu malejin’. Her daughter as a bride.
Solit sola, bet nedeva, She promised, but didn’t fill the promise,
Teic man’ lielu dzerajin'. Calling me a drunkard.
Teic man’ lielu dzerajinu, She called me a drunkard
Kumelina skrejejin’. And a horse racer.
Kuru krogu es izdzeru, Where is the tavern in which I drank too much,
Kam noskreju kumelin'? Whose horse did I run down?
Pats par savu naudu dzeru, I drink for my own money,
Pats skrej' savu kumelin’ And ride my own horse.
Put vejini, dzen laivinu Blow wind, drive my boat,
Aizdzen mani Kurzeme. Drive me to Kurzeme.
(Translation cited from this resource.)
The one who bowed is none other than yours truly. :-D Incidentally, it is the most memorable solo performance I’ve ever done. I remember singing this song in Preveza, Greece. Ah, the memories of Greece are coming back...forever to be cherished.
The choir and I met other choirs mostly from Europe. There was a choir there from Latvia. We sang "Put Vejini" and luckily, they were quite appreciative of our singing. It just goes to show how universal choral singing can be. Choral singing can cross barriers in time and space. It also brings unity and friendship to people from different countries all over the world.
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