Dragon In Love With A Maiden/Zmey lyubi moma (Змей люби мома)

A song from the Shopluk region in Bulgaria from Eugenia Georgieva's album Po Drum Mome / A Girl On The Road, Riverboat Records 2018

More info at www.worldmusic.net

Eugenia discovered 'Zmey Lyubi Moma' when searching the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences archive for material from her mother's village, and came across a field recording from the 1970s of the beautifully named Mira Galabova (mir - peace, and galab - dove), who turned out to be related to Eugenia's mother's maternal aunt. Zmey (a mythical dragon-like creature with feathers and a beard) was believed to have taken young maidens as brides if they hadn't performed the Lazarki ritual - a rite of passage for young pre-pubescent girls transitioning into womanhood.

Oh, beautiful young Ela,
A dragon is lurking around
He whispers to Ela:
Grow up, Ela, grow big,
And we shall become lovers.
And Ela gently uttered:
Oh, you dragon from the mountains,
I daren't look into your eyes,
Let alone become your lover!
Your eyes shed blinding sparkles,
Your mouth roars with fire
The horse you ride is like a mountain,
The clothes you wear are like scorching flames.
And the dragon whispered:
Grow up, Ela, grow big,
And we shall become lovers
Do not be afraid of me.
Translation (C) Eugenia Georgieva
All rights reserved

Видео Dragon In Love With A Maiden/Zmey lyubi moma (Змей люби мома) канала Eugenia Georgieva