TRŬGNALA RUMJANA

Bulgarian

 
PRONUNCIATION: TRUHG-nah-lah roo-MYAH-nah
 
TRANSLATION: The name of the dance comes from the first words to the song about a young woman named Rumjana: "Trŭgnala Rumjana, za voda studena" -- Rumjana went out to fetch cold water.
 
SOURCE: Dick Oakes learned this dance from Dick Crum who learned it from Ilija Rizov, lead dancer of the Kutev Bulgarian State Folk Dance Ensemble.
 
BACKGROUND: As a folk song, Trŭgnala Rumjana (also Trâgnala Rumjana) is widely known in many variants in Macedonia, East Serbia, and Bulgaria. In many places it is danced as an ordinary 3-measure Pravo (Lesno). The Bulgarian version given here represents a 4-measure form known as "Pravo" or "Obiknoveno Horo" in south-central and southeast Bulgaria (Rhodopes and Strandža). It is a standard national dance taught to Bulgarian children as part of their elementary school physical education program.
 
MUSIC: XOPO (45rpm) 329 "Trgnala Rumjana"
The Ethnic Connection: An Eclectic Collection (CD) "Trŭgnala Rumjana"

Geisler, Richard. "Trâgnala Rumjana" (sheet music), The Bulgarian Collection, The Village & Early Music Society, 15181 Ballantree Lane, Grass Valley, CA 95949-7633.

FORMATION:Open Cir of mixed M and W, arms on neighbors' shoulders in "T" pos or sometimes with hands joined at shldr level in "W" pos.
 
METER/RHYTHM: 7/8. The rhythm is slow-slower (3 + 4 = 7) and is counted here in two dancer's beats with the second being the longer.
 
STEPS/STYLE: Macedonians, or U.S. and Canadian folk dancers accustomed to Macedonian style, may have a tendency to add an extra bounce in meas 3 and 4, or raise active knee higher. Probably no Bulgarian would object to this, although it is not part of the standardized version taught in Bulgaria.
 

MEASMOVEMENT DESCRIPTION

 
 INTRODUCTION - None.
 
 THE DANCE
 
1Facing slightly R, step R (ct 1); step L across in front of R (ct 2);
2Turning to face ctr, step R swd (ct 1); step L across in back of R (ct 2);
3Still facing ctr, step R swd (ct 1); touch L toe fwd or raise L leg across in front of R (ct 2);
4Still facing ctr, step L swd (ct 1); touch R toe fwd or raise R leg across in front of L (ct 2).
 
 Repeat entire dance from beg.


TRŬGNALA RUMJANA
Bulgaria

Trŭgnala Rumjana, za voda studana, lele,
Trŭgnala Rumjana, za voda studana,
Vse sutrin rano, po ladovino, lele,
Vse večer kâno, po mesečina.
 
Na srešta ide, edno ludo mlado, lele,
Na srešta ide, edno ludo mlado,
Ta na Rumjana, tihom govori, lele,
Ta na Rumjana, tihom govori.
 
Ja kaži Rumjano, kakvo da ti storja, lele,
Ja kaži Rumjano, kakvo da ti storja,
Kitki da ti zema, drugi šte nabereš, lele,
Kitki da ti zema, drugi šte nabereš.
 
Stomni da ti ščupja, drugi šte si kupiš, lele,
Stomni da ti ščupja, drugi šte si kupiš,
Hem pohubavi, hem pošareni, lele,
Hem pohubavi, hem pošareni.
 
Ja togaz Rumjano, daj da te celuna, lele,
Ja togaz Rumjano, daj da te celuna,
Hem pohubavi, hem pošareni, lele,
Hem pohubavi, hem pošareni.
 
Če celuvkata e, mehlem na sârceto, lele,
Če celuvkata e, mehlem na sârceto,
Mehlem na sârceto, balsam na dušata, lele,
Mehlem na sârceto, balsam na dušata.
  Rumjana went out to fetch cold water

Early each morning in the morning coolness,
Late each evening in the moonlight.
 
Towards her came a young lad.
 
He said quietly to Rumjana:

 
"Tell me now, Rumjana, what shall I do to you?
 
If I steal your flowers, you’ll just pick others.

 
If I break your jugs, you’ll buy yourself new ones,
 
Even prettier and more colorful.

 
So now, Rumjana, let me kiss you,
 
For a kiss cannot be bought with money.

 
For a kiss is a salve for the heart,
 
A salve for the heart, a balm for the soul.

 

Copyright © 2012 by Dick Oakes