You're reading: Legendary Chervona Ruta song popular at EuroMaidan

Ukrainians prove they are a folk-singing nation when they come out to protest, party or simply to gather. The EuroMaidan demonstration, in support of closer ties to the European Union that political leaders scuttled on Nov. 21, is no exception.

Along with chants of “Ukraine is Europe!” the crowds gathering at Kyiv’s Maidan Nezalezhnosti also enjoy singing. Perhaps the all-time favorite classic is “Chervona Ruta,” which translates as “The Red Rue,” as in the flower. It seems that every Ukrainian knows the lyrics by heart.

The song, written by Ukrainian composer and songwriter Volodymyr Ivasiuk in 1968, is a masterpiece that endures through the EuroMaidan rallies of 2013.

The song, written when Ivasiuk was a 19-year-old medical student in Chernivtsi, tells a love story and evokes an ancient Ukrainian legend. Legend says that on the night of the pagan holiday Ivana Kupala, celebrated on June 7, the rue flower, normally yellow, turns red for several seconds. The flower can bring happiness in love for anyone who finds it. In the song, a man persuades his love interest that she doesn’t need the magic rue flower, because his heart belongs to her anyway.

The song was first performed on Sept. 30, 1970 in Chernivtsi Theater. In 1971 the song won the “The Song of 1971” contest in Moscow, cementing its place in history as one of the most popular tunes of the Soviet Union, and apparently still today. The song is still performed by many prominent singers, including Nazariy Yaremchuk, Sofia Rotaru, Taras Chubai from rock band Plach Yeremii and Ani Lorak. The famous Italian singer Toto Cutugno even performed the tune during a concert in Ukraine.

The following is the English adaptation of the song made by Stepan Pasicznyk, a British-born singer, songwriter and translator of Ukrainian songs.

Chervona Ruta (The Red Rue)
Just admit it to me.
You’re controlling my feelings.
Though my heart was in pain
With your spell it is healing.
In the forest you knew
Of the midsummer flower
That when kissed by the sun
Has a magical power.

Please don’t go searching
For the red bloom this evening
For the love that I have for you
Is true and free.
Just as the rivers
Of the mountains are givers
Of clean water;
You’ve given life to me.

As you visit my dreams
In the green glades of summer
You are coming to me
As you would to a lover
And you don’t need to give
Me a flower or a potion
I shall always be here
You have all my devotion.

Please don’t go searching
For the red bloom this evening
For the love that I have for you
Is true and free.
Just as the rivers
Of the mountains are givers
Of clean water;
You’ve given life to me.

The original chorus:
Chervonu rutu
Ne shukai vechoramy
Ti u mene yedyna
Tilki ti, povir
Bo tvoya vroda
To ye chystaya voda
To ye bistraya voda
Synih gir.

Top songs of EuroMaidan
National anthem of Ukraine “Shche ne vmerla Ukraina (Ukraine Has Not Yet Perished)”
“Chervona Ruta (The Red Rue)”
“Nadiya Ye (There Is Hope)” by Mad Heads
“Lenta Za Lentoyu (Pass the Ammo Belt)” a song of Ukrainian rebellion
“Ne spi, moya ridna zemlya (Don’t Sleep, My Native Land)” by Mandry
“Ne stiy, stribay (Don’t Stand, Jump)” by TNMK
“Vstavay (Rise)” by Okean Elzy
“Poperedu (Ahead)” by Ot Vinta