1

Aldey, aldey, ak böpöm,

Ak beşikke cat, böpöm.

Otuz kızdı olcolop

Alıp keler bekensiñ.

Otuz kızdın birövü

Almazbektin küyövü.

Sleep, sleep, my white baby

Lie in a white cradle, baby!

You’ll capture thirty girls,

Will you bring them here?

One of the thirty

Will be Almazbekʼs bride.

2

Üyüñ, üyüñ üy eken

Üyüñ körkü çiy eken.

Your house, your house was a real house,

Its beauty owed to the reed.

3

Uşul üydün üzügü

Üzülüñkü körünöt.

Uşul üydö ceñekem

Süzülüñkü körünöt.

Tak übölük takıldap

Kaynenesi bakıldap.

The roof of this house

Appears to be shabby.

My auntie in that house

Appears to be haughty.

Her rolling-pin is rapping

Her mother-in-low is shouting harsh.

41

Menin atım surasañ

Kuyup koygon kuymaktay

Akıya, akıya.

Senin atıñ surasam

Kıykalagan şıyraktay

Akıya, akıya.

If you ask what is my name,

It’s like a well baked roll

Trallala, trallala

If I ask what is your name,

It’s like an ironed chimney

Trallala, trallala.

5

Atar-atpas tañ bolso

Alganım canda bar bolso.

Atpagan tañdın erkibi?

Aytışsak narkı berkini.

*Sürör (bir) sürbös tañ bolso

Süygönüm canda bar bolso.

Sürbögön tañdın erkibi

Süylöşsök narkı-berkini.

Until dawn arrives

My sweetheart could stay with me.

Is it the strength of rosy daylight?

We would talk about everything.

Until dawn arrives

My sweetheart could stay with me.

Is it the power of the sunken sun?

We would talk about everything.

6

Ökünöbüz da kalabız,

(Al) ötköndü kaydan tababız.

Ötkörüp iyip ömürdü,

Karızga kimden alabız.

We shall regret it,

The past can’t be brought back.

If life is over and gone,

Who could give it back to you?

Ötkörüp iyip ömürdü,

(Degi) karızga kimden alabiz.

Ala da Mışık Araşan

Tiyan-Şanga canaşa,

Caştardın işi bolboso

Bar bele sende alasa.

When life’s gone past,

Who can we borrow from?

Ala-Mišik, Arasan,

Next to Tien-Shan in a row.

If the young ones have nothing to do,

Will my debt remain?

7

Er Kurmanbek baatırıñ,

Atasına taarınıp.

Aylanayın ata dep,

Eki cagın karanıp.

Açuusu kelip oylonup,

Uygu-tuygu tolgonup.

Karap turup karasa

Tee-e-tigi zoonun betinde

Teltoru attın canında,

Tor bıştısı2 cürüptür.

Azuusun3 cañı sayıptır.

Karmap kelip Kurmanbek,

Kamçısına çenedi.

Karap tursa kunandın

Boyuna cetpey kalganın.

Kurmanbek the valiant champion

Got angry with his father.

What a horrible father you are! – he said

And he looked around.

He was engrossed in thoughts,

Impassioned with wrath

Gazing ahead of him

Into the rocky landscape.

Next to his chestnut steed

His four-year-old horse was standing,

Its molars had just grown out.

Kurmanbek seized it

He measured it with his whip.

He saw that his four-year-old horse

Was of short stature.

8

Alda Taala kuduret

Tört uruu mal carattı.

Tögöröktün tört burçun

Adamzatka karattı.

Cüktösün dep töögö

Arbın berdi kubattı.

Sıyırlardı saygakka

Çıçañdatıp turat dep

Canıbarım cılkıga

Mintip cakın kıldı ıraattı…

The Almighty divine power

Created four kinds of things

In the four corners of the world.

He put man to rule over them.

To increase its load He gave

More strength to the camel.

Cows flee from the flies,

He said.

He was more gracious

To the beautiful horse.

9

Adır, adır toolordon

Aygır minip men keldim.

Aygır oozun tarta albay,

Uşul üygö tuş keldim.

From undulating hills

I have arrived on horseback,

I couldn’t hold the horse in check,

I’ve come to that house by chance.

10

...buruluş,

*Eki caş oynop külgöndü

Körö albayt eken bul turmuş.

Birlik menen Ak-Moyun,4

Bildiriçi bul oyun.

...returning

The laughter of two young people playing

Couldn’t be tolerated by this life.

Birlik and Ak-Moyun,

This game is a good teacher.

Kantip ele seni men

Kadırıñ bilbey koyoyun.

Andan öydö Ak-Muz5 bar

Biröösünö men kumar.

How could I forget

You all?

Ak-Muz is on the opposite side,

I fell in love with one of them.

116

Alımkandın selkinçek,

Anday teppey, mınday tep.

Burulkandın selkinçek,

Burbay teppey mınday tep.

Süyümkandın selkinçek,

Süyböy teppey anday tep…

Alimkan’s swing

Step in this way, not that,

Burulkan’s swing

Don’t twist, step in this way!

Süyümkan’s swing

Don’t step without love, step this way!

12

Bekbekey aştı bel aştı

Beline belboo caraştı

*Saksakay aştı say aştı

Sanına sayma caraştı.

Bekbekey went beyond the ridge,

His belt fitted his waist well.

Saksakay went beyond the stream,

The embroidery fitted him well.

13

Bekbekey aştı bel aştı

Beline belboo caraştı

Saksakay aştı say aştı

Sanına sayma caraştı.

Bekbekey went beyond the ridge,

His belt fitted his waist well.

Saksakay went beyond the stream,

The embroidery fitted him well.

14

Bekbekey kaçtı bel aştı

Beline belboo caraştı

Saksakay kaçtı say aştı

Sanına saadak caraştı….

Bekbekey’s gone beyond the ridge,

The belt fitted his waist.

Saksakay’s gone, beyond the vale,

The quiver fitted his side well.

15

Aldey aldey ak böpöm

Ak beşikke cat böpöm

Kunan koydu soy böpöm

Kuyruguna toy böpöm

Sleep, sleep, my white baby,

Lie in a white cradle, baby,

Kill a three-year-old lamb, baby,

Eat your fill of its tail, baby!

16

Aldey, aldey, ak böbök

Ak beşikke cat, böbök.

Kunan koydu soy, böbök.

Kuyruguna toy, böbök.

Sleep, sleep, white baby,

Lie in a white cradle, baby,

Kill a three-year-old lamb, baby,

Eat your fill of its tail, baby!

17

Bekbekey aştı bel aştı

Beline belboo caraştı.

Saksakay aştı say aştı

Sanına saadak caraştı.

Bekbekey went beyond the mountain,

The quiver fitted his waist.

Saksakay went beyond the valley,

The quiver fitted its strap well.

18

Aldey, aldey, altınım,

Ak beşikke cata goy.

Altın balam, ak balam,

Ak beşikke catçı sen.

Sleep, sleep, my darling,

Lie quickly in a white crib.

My golden darling, my white baby,

Lie in your white cradle now!

Kunan koydu soyoyun,

Kuyruguna toyçu sen.

Aldey, aldey, ak balam,

Ak beşikke cat, balam.

I’d kill a three-year-old lamb for you

You should eat your fill of its tail.

Sleep, sleep, my white baby,

Lie in a white cradle, darling!

19

Aldey, aldey, ak böpöm,

Ak beşikke cat böpöm.

Iylabaçı böbögüm ay,

Ata-eneñdi kıynabaçı, böbögüm ay.

Sleep, sleep, my white baby,

Lie in a white cradle, baby.

Don’t cry, baby, oh,

Don’t worry your daddy and mummy, oh!

20

Bekbekey aştı bel aştı

Beline belboo caraştı.

Saksakay aştı say aştı

Sanıña san boo caraştı.

Bozorgon toonun etegi

Bozorup tuman ketebi?

Bozdop da kakşap ırdasam

Bozdosom ünüm cetebi?

Bekbekey crossed the mountain,

The belt fitted his waist well.

Saksakay left, crossing the valley,

The girdle fitted his side well.

The hillside looming grey,

Won’t the greyish fog rise?

When in sorrow I start singing,

When I weep, is my voice enough?

21

Aldey, aldey, ak balam

Ak beşikke cat, balam.

Kunan koydu soy, balam

Kuyruguna toy, balam….

Aldey, aldey, ak çocuğum

Ak beşiğe yat, çocuğum.

Kunan koyunu kes, çocuğum

Kuyruğuna doy, çocuğum.

Sleep, sleep my white child,

Lie in a white cradle, my child.

Kill a three-year-old lamb, my child,

Eat your fill of its tail!

Sleep, sleep my white child,

Lie in a white cradle, my child.

Kill a three-year-old lamb, my child,

Eat your fill of its tail!

22

Aldey, aldey, ak böpöm,

Ak beşikke cat, böpöm.

Atañ toydon kelgende

Arkası tolo et kelet.

Eneñ toydon kelgende

Emçegi tolo süt kelet.

Aldey, böpöm, aldey ay

Alda aylanayın aldey ay

Sleep, sleep, my white baby,

Lie in a white cradle, baby!

Father will return from the wedding

Carrying a lot of meat on his back.

Mother will return from the wedding

She’ll come with breast bursting with milk.

Sleep, baby, sleep, hush,

I love you, sleep, hush.

23

Aldey, aldey ak böpöm,

Ak beşikke cat, böpöm.

Eneñ işten kelgençe

Uyku daamın tat, böpöm.

Eneñ kelet cumuştan,

Emçegine süt tolup.

Atañ kelet cumuştan,

Çöntögünö et tolup.

Sleep, sleep, my white babe,

Lie in a white cradle, babe,

Till your mother returns from work,

Sink into a sweet dream, my babe.

Mother will come home from work,

Bringing milk in her breasts,

Father will come home from work,

Bringing meat in his pockets.

24

Bekbekey aştı bel aştı

Beline belbow caraştı.

Saksakay aştı san aştı

Sanına saadak caraştı.

Bekbekey went beyond the mountain,

The quiver fitted his waist.

Saksakay went beyond the valley,

The quiver fitted his waist well.

25

Aldey, aldey, balam ay,

Ak beşikke cata goy.

Aldey, aldey, balam ay,

Kunan koydu soy, bilek.

Kuyruguna toy, bilek.

Sleep, sleep, baby, ay,

Lie at once in a white crib!

Sleep, sleep, baby, ay,

Skin the tail of a three-year-old lamb, babe,

Eat your fill of its tail!

26

Baldarım menin ırısım

Paanayım carık cıldızım

Ömürlü bolor beken dep men

Tilegem tilek tımızın.

Baldarım menin törü üçün

Bakıttın Isık-Kölü7 üçün.

Isık-Köldöy taşkındap

Irısıñ aşıp tögülsün.

My children, the source of my life,

Radiant stars of my heart,

May your lives be long,

I’m telling you good wishes.

My children, in return for your respect

May your happiness spread wide.

May you get abundant nutriment

From the Isık-Köl.

27

Ayluu tündö bir basıp,

Carkıldap külüp, oynosok.

Ketirip içte kapanı da,

Köñülgö kirdi koybosok.

Were we walking together on a moonlit night,

Merrily, we’d laugh and play.

If we gave vent to our tensions,

No shadow would be left in our hearts.

28

Aldey, aldey, ak böpöm

Ak beşikke cat, böpöm.

Iylaba, böbök, ıylaba

Ata-eneñdi kıynaba.

Sal, sal, sal bilek8

Sarı mayga mal bilek.

Kunan koydu soy bilek

Kuyruguna toy bilek.

Sleep, sleep, my white baby,

Lie in a white cradle, baby.

Don’t cry, baby, don’t cry,

Don’t make it hard for your parents.

Come on, come on, baby

Dip it into yellow butter, baby!

Kill a three-year-old lamb, baby,

Eat your fill of its tail, baby.

29

Aldey, aldey, ak böbök

Ak beşikke cat, böbök.

Sleep, sleep, white baby,

Lie in a white cradle, baby.

30

Aldey böpöm, aldey,

Ak beşikke cat, böpöm.

Kunan koydu soy, böpöm,

Kuyruğuna toy, böpöm.

*Aldey, aldey, aldey, ay

Aldey, ay aldey, ay.

Sleep, baby, sleep,

Lie in a white cradle, baby,

Kill a three-year-old lamb, baby,

Eat your fill of its tail, baby.

Sleep, sleep, sleep, ay

Sleep, ay, sleep, ay

31

Köpölök ittin kuyrugun

Kölökö kılıp bereyin.

Artındagı şakmarın

Bulamık kılıp bereyin.

Aldey, aldey, aldey,

Uktaçı balam, ıylabay.

May I hold a shade for you

Form the tail of Moth, the dog.

The cack from your bum

We’ll give [to the two dogs outside],

Let them take it.

Sleep, my baby, don’t cry!

32

Körgöndö közdördü taldırgan

Kögüçkön sensiñ oylosom.

Köktön bir sızıp kaçırıp

Kök şumkar bolup koybosom.

One who looks at you is dazzled

I’d imagine your are a dove,

I’d become a falcon of the sky

Dashing across the sky, seizing you.

33

Sal, sal, sal, bilek

Sarı mayga mal, bilek.

Kunan koydu soy, bilek

Kuyruguna toy, bilek.

Come on, come on, baby!

Sink it into yellow butter, baby!

Kill a three-year-old lamb, baby!

Eat your fill of ist tail, baby!

34

Karargan toonun eteginde

Kararıp tuman ketebi?

Kakşapbozdop ırdasam

Kakşasam ünüm cetebi?

From an ever darker hillside

Can an ever darker smoke rise?

If I sing amidst sobs and tears,

Is my voice enough for my complaint?

35

Aldey, aldey ak balam

Ak beşikke cat balam

Kunan koydu soy balam,

Kuyruguna toy balam

Ay, ay, balam, oy, oy, balam

*Eneñ ketti bazarga

Emçegi tolgon süt kelet.

Atañ ketti bazarga

Bereke tolgon göş kelet.

Sleep, sleep, my whilte baby

Lie in a white cradle, baby,

Kill a three-year-old lamb, baby,

Eat your fill of its tail, baby,

Ay, ay, baby, ay ay, baby.

Your mother’s gone to the market,

She’s coming with breasts bursting with milk.

Your father’s gone to the market,

He’s coming with meat full of blessing.

36

Aldey, aldey, ak böbök,

Ak beşikke cat böbök.

El cayloodon tüşö elek

Bulamıgıñ bışa elek.

Koygun balam ıylaba,

Ene-atañdı kıynaba.

Sleep, sleeep, white babe,

Lie in a white cradle, babe.

They haven’t come from the summer pasture,

Your sweet soup isn’t cooked yet.

Stop, my little babe, don’t cry,

Don’t sadden your maternal granddad!

37

(Atan toygo ketiptir)

*Çöntögü tolo et kelet

Eneñ toygo ketiptir

Emçegi tolgon süt kelet

Aldey, böböm, aldey.

Your father’s gone to a wedding,

He is coming with a pocket full of meat.

Your mother’s gone to a wedding,

She’s coming with breasts bursting with milk.

Sleep, baby, sleep.

38

Aldey, balam, ıylaba

Apakeñdi kıynaba.

El cayloodon tüşö elek.

Bulamıgıñ bışa elek.

Astıña terdik salayın

Üstüñö tokum cabayın.

İştep ketken apañdı

Balam, ıylasañ kaydan tabayın?

Sleep, baby, don’t cry,

Don’t make it hard for mum.

They haven’t come from the summer pasture,

Your soup hasn’t been cooked yet.

Let me put a blanket under you,

Let me cover you with a woven sheet.

How can I bring here your mother

Going to work, baby, if you cry?

39

Şır-şır şır eken

Cılkıçının ırı eken.

Ala dagı şırıldañ9

Kula dagı şırıldañ

Şırıldañ, şırıldañ.

Hey-hey it was one,

It was a horse herder’s song,

It was a mottled song,

Grey-and-mottled song,

Horse-herder’s song, herder’s song.

40

Ak boz attın üstünö

Ak şayı terdik10 caraşat.

Ak şayı terdik üstünö

Kök şayı celdik11 caraşat.

Kök şayı celdik üstünö

Kömkörö eer12 caraşat.

Kömkörö eer üstünö

Körkömdüü cigit caraşat.

On the back of a white and grey horse

A white silk saddle cloth is appropriate.

On the white silk saddle cloth

A blue silk saddle pad is appropriate.

On a blue saddle pad

A tall saddle is appropriate.

Into a tall saddle

A graceful champion is appropriate.

41

Ey, baatır Almañ kep aytat

Bayka töröm dep aytat.

Tetigi kün çıgış cagı uluu too

Kün kiriş cagı tereñ koo.

Kün batar cagı uç bolgon

Salınıp kelip toktolgon.

Sayandan çıkkan sarı cel

Kökölöktün sarı gel.

Valiant Almaη speaks,

Listen to me, folks!

Tall mountains on the east,

Deep gorges on the west.

The western part is the terminus

Of blond winds

Blowing from Sayan,

Of the blond winds of Kökölök.

42

Talaa-Bulak, Ak-Belden

Tappasmın sendey köp elden.

Men körgöndön sendey cok

Peri kızı bolbo bir kelgen.

Oynosok, külsök

Oyduñda cürsök.

Katkırıp oynop

Carışıp oynop.

Talaa-Bulak, from Ak-Bel

You have no match in the whole country.

Nothing resembles you,

Not even among the fairies.

If we play, let us laugh

Walk in the fair meadow.

Let’s play laughing merrily,

Let’s play in competition!

Car-cardı boylop

Kıdırıp oynop.

Kır-kırdı boylop

Degi ayıldaş bolboy emine!

Let’s go from sweetheart to sweetheart,

Let’s play strolling around.

Let’s track from mountain to mountain,

Let’s come from the same place, how about it?

43

Tetigi toonu uratkan

Omkorup taşın kulatkan

Al bizdin arık kazgandar

Çekesi tedep suu akkan.

A-ay kızıl coolukçan

Kanday turmuş cayıñız?

Kursak açıp ketti go

Kaynadı beken çayıñız?

The brigade washing off those hills,

Digging them, quarrying their stones

Is our canal builders,

Sweat is dripping from their brows.

Hey, guys with the red kerchiefs,

What’s up? How are you doing?

We are hungry,

Has your tea come to the boil?

44

Kaydasıñ baskan bul koldu

Kir baskanda kördüñ sen.

Kürüçbektin Er Çomoy

Cöö baskanda kördüñ sen.

Suusar içik kişmişter

Kir baskanda kördüñ sen.

Kürüçbektin Er Çomoy

Kor bolgondo kördüñ sen…

You saw this peerless country

When it was covered by frost.

The champion of Kürüčbek Čomoy

You saw when he had to walk.

You saw the marten and sable furs

When they were covered by frost.

You saw the champion of Kürüčbek Čomoy

When he had become despised.

45

Aldey, aldey, ak böbök

Ak beşikke cat, böbök.

Iylaba balam, ıylaba

Menin canım kıynaba.

Sal, sal, sal, bilek

Sarı mayga mal, bilek.

Kunan koydu soy, bilek

Kuyruğuna toy, bilek.

Iylaba balam, ıylaba

Çoñ eneñdi kıynaba.

Atañ toygo ketipir

Ak kise tolgon et kelet.

Iylaba balam, ıylaba

Çoñ eneñdi kıynaba.

Eneñ toygo ketipir

Emçegi tolgon süt kelet.

Iylaba balam, ıylaba

Çoñ eneñdi kıynaba.

Sleep, sleep, white babe,

Lie in a white cradle, babe.

Don’t cry, little one, don’t weep,

Don’t torment my soul!

Rock, rock, rock it, babe,

Dip it into yellow butter, babe!

Kill a three-year-old lamb, babe,

Eat your fill of its tail, babe!

Don’t cry, darling, don’t cry,

Don’t torture your paternal granny,

Your father’s gone to a wedding,

He’ll bring a white sackful of meat.

Don’t cry, darling, don’t cry,

Don’t torture your paternal granny.

Your mother’s gone to a wedding,

She’ll come home with breats bursting with milk

Don’t cry, darling, don’t cry,

Don’t torture your paternal granny!

46

Kelinge kete kiygizip

Keregin curtka tiygizip

Kelin algan ekenin

Tügöl curtka bilgizip.

Katınga kamka kiygizip

Kara curttun baarısın

Emi Kadır tüngö13 kirgizip.

Ceteğinin baarısı

Celmayanday14 töö bolup

Tügü cok kedey tügön

Baylaganı baş bolup.

On-on beşten bee bolup.

A bride is dressed in calico,

The news has been spreading

That the bride is coming,

So that everyone may know about it.

The women are dressed in Chinese silk,

And the crowd of celebrators

Rush in to the night of power

All their reserve horses

Look like ǰelmayan camels,

The poor have nothing of that sort.

What they have is

Ten or fifteen mares.

4715

Aylanayın çorolor

Ak boz beeni soydurdum.

Atıñdı uykaş koydurdum.

Ekööñdü birdey teñ baktım

I love you, my fellows-in-arms,

I’ve had a grey white mare slain.

I gave you rhyming names,

I brought up both of you.

Biriñerden biriñdi

Kaysı cerden kem baktım?

Bulduruktap körüngön

Bul emine bilgile.

Dep oşentip aytkanda

Kançoro anda kep aytat:

Aylanayın abake

Bar deseñ aba barayın.

Barbay kantip kalayın.

Körünüp turgan Ürgönçkö

Men köz açkança barayın.

Coo cağına miñdeymin.

Katın-kızdı körgöndö

Men kanteerimdi bilbeymin.

Kıyıtıp aytaar sözüm cok.

Menin kız-kelinge ebim cok.

When would I have ranked you

Differenciating beween you?

We are in an impossible plight,

Get to know what’s it all about.

When [Semetey] had finished,

Kančoro stood up and continued:

I love you, uncle,

If you send me, I will go.

How could I stay longer

If you tell me,

I can go to Ürgönč visible there

While you bat an eye.

The enemy won’t reach me,

I can see no woman or maiden.

I don’t know what to do,

I have no illusions.

48

Kat cazam Sovet cönündö

Türlü oy tüşüp köñülgö.

Ömürüñördü tileymin

Uşintip alıstan kelip cürgöngö.

I’m writing a letter about the Soviets,

All sorts of things have come to my mind.

May your lives be long, I wish,

Even though you have come from afar.

49

Aldey, aldey ak böpöm

Ak beşikke cat böpöm.

Kunan koydu soy böpöm

Kuyruğuna toy böpöm.

Sleep, sleep, my innocent baby

Lie in a white cradle, baby.

Kill a three-year-old lamb, baby,

Eat your fill of its tail, my babe.

50

Dastorkon dayın bolsunçu

Dastorkongo üyüm tolsunçu

Oy, dastorkon cayıp çay bergen

Atañ bir aman bolsunçu.

Aşuusu biyik Kum-Tördün

Aynıbay uçkan kuş kördüm.

Oy, aynıbay uçkan oşol bir

Ayalı bolup özgördüm.

Lay the table,

May it bring blessing to my house,

May your father offering tea by the laid table

be in good health!

In the Kum-Tör with the tall peak

I saw a bird not missing its course,

Ay, the bird that doesn’t miss its course

Took me to become his wife.

51

Asa baylap cem berip

Oşol kezde Toruga

Alla Taala kuduret

Tak özündöy dem berip.

Oşol kezde Taytoru

Kaşka tişi kabışıp

Cal kuyrugu cabışıp,

Kocogoy tartıp baş çaykap

Oozdugun çaynap kemirip.

Then he tied it safely, foddered it,

His horse, Toru.

Blessed be the name of God,

He has given us strength like his.

Then Taytoru

Sharpened its incisors.

Its mane and tail stuck to it.

It shook its head idly,

It fretted biting its bit.

Kayran eneñ Kanıkey

Törkününe kelgende

Özünön özü ceeligip,

Kıyla sözün saldı emi.

Your brave mother, Kanikey

When she nestled with her relative,

She spirited herself up

And had a good idea.

52

E-e-e-y, atañdın körü dünüyö

Arbıdı meenet künügö.

Aytpay curttun baldarı

Camandık kıldım kimiñe?

Kim koygon candı tim koyboy

Tiydiñbi Çubak cinime?

Kalıypa, sultan, piriñdi

Kagayınbı ciniñdi?

Kalcıragan Çubak kul

Kan kıl dep ayttım kimiñdi?

Elinde ar kim zor eken

Elinen azgan kor eken.

Allanın işi bolboso

Atañdın körü Çubak kul

Senin aylıñdın çetin kim körsün….

Ay, curse upon your begetter, world,

Troubles multiply day by day.

Have I ever done harm

To any of this country’s children?

Incessantly quarrelsome

Čubak, I am fed up with you.

Overcoming the caliph, sultan, holy superior

Shall I exorcize the evil spirit from you?

Should you make a khan

Out of foolish Čubak servant, whose khan?

Each person of the people is valuable,

Those who get fed-up with their people will be sad.

If Allah had nothing to do

May your father be cursed, Čubak servant!

No one shall see your village again.

53

Eki kolum kişendep

Baylaganda kerbezim.

Elden bölüp başımdı

Aydaganda kerbezim.

My arms have been shackled,

My sweetheart’s been taken away.

Far from my people in exile

My sweetheart’s been taken away.

Eki közüm türmödö

Caynaganda kerbezim.

Esen bol kırgız elim dep

Sayraganda kerbezim.

My eyes are fixed on the prison,

My sweetheart’s been captured.

Stay in good health, my Kyrgyz people,

My sweetheart whom I had to part with.

5416

Menin apam surasañ,

Çogoynonun çogunday.

Senin apañ surasañ

Çoñ çıçkan uydun bogunday.

Akıy ey, akıy ey

Akıy ey, akıy ey.

When you ask my mother,

She is like a dried thorn.

When you ask your mother,

She is like cow dung.

Trallala, trallala,

Trallala, trallala.

5517

Ir kılganım Isık-Köl

... catkan cer.

A degenim ep bolgon

... cerimdey.

*Kökürögüñ keñ saray

Askar toonun belindey.

Kiçinemden köngön cer

Aydagan malım öngön cer.

Tokoyuñ ay, talıñ ay,

Tolkunuñ ay, şarıñ ay.

I put Isık-Köl into verse

... where it is lying.

What I said was true to life

... like in my place.

Your bosom is a grand palace,

Your waist is the big mountain

I got used to it from childhood,

I graze and increase my flock here.

Your woods, ay, your plain, ay,

Your surges, ay, your stream, ay.

56

At-Başı boorun caylagan,

Çoko boluş, Ormon kan,

Manaptar18 bolgon elimden.

Malatay sınçı19 boluptur,

Mına çerik tuugan elimden.

Kazıbek ırçı boluptur,

Kazalın20 aytıp ırdagan.

Kançalar öttü elimden

At-Başı değen cerimden.

To the summer pasture in At Baši

Alderman Čoko, Ormon khan

Noblemen of my people went.

Malatay the seer appeared

From the Čerik tribe.

Kazibek the folk singer lived there,

Singing gazels,

What great people were my folk

At the place called At Baši.

57

Men toodogu (bir) tınarmın21

Sen (bir) zoodogu ularsıñ.

Uça bergin salpıldap

Uyaña barıp kularsıñ

Ayagı barıp tınaarsıñ.

Kolumdan kelse, Kudayım berse

Oşondo canıma kelip konorsuñ.

Sen bir eñ ele kooz sonosuñ.

I’m a bird of prey of the mountains,

You are a mountain turkey among rocks.

You fly on, arriving

At your nest you drop in it exhausted.

At long last you calm down.

If it was up to me, may god grant it,

You would come to me and rest here.

You are a beautiful wild duck.

58

Kümüşpü deymin tişiñdi

Küygüzdüñ menin içimdi.

Emi kimge corutam

Sen üçün körgön tüşümdü?

Tişiñ bir bermet tizilgen

Tiktesem (de) içim ezilgen.

Tim tartıp alsam deym

Tikteşip cürgön kişiñden.

Your teeth are like pearls,

You’ve set my heart on fire.

Whom may I tell

My dream of you?

Like pearls arranged in a string,

When I stand up, I collapse inside.

I’ll catch you and kidnap you

From your fixed betrothed.

5922

Altın (bir) da taka, cez nokta

Al kimdin corgosu ay?

Aytıluu kalkıñ çoguldu

Bul ele menin bir tuuganımdın ordosu.

Kümüş taka cez nokta

Al kimdin corgosu?

Kürdölüü eliñ çoguldu

Bul menin bir tuuganımdın ordosu.

Gold horseshoes and brass bit –

Whose horse is that one?

People have all gathered there,

It’s my brother’s village.

Silver horseshoes and brass bit –

Whose horse is that one?

Many have gathered there,

It’s my brother’s village.

60

Tuygundan bolot kum tülök

Suu boylop uçat bir çürök.

Çüröktü körüp talpınıp

Tuylayt (bir) eken et cürök.

Katası bolso teriñiz.

Kayrılıp bir az keliñiz.

Kusadar bolgon cürökkö

(İy koyçu), kurbalım, keñeş beriñiz.

The white falcon rises from the plain falcon,

The wild duck’s flying over the stream,

Agitated by the whild duck

The silly heart is beating madly.

What if it misses – you say.

What will be the fate of this silly yearning heart,

The wild duck flying off to freedom,

Give me advice!

61

Ak şumkar berdim taptap al

Kök uçuk berdim saptap al.

Karagaydın kak butak

Kagıp turup otko cak.

Kakıldagan kudagıy

Kızımdı caklışılap tarbiyalap bagıp al.

Çegedektin çet butak

Çertip turup otko cak.

I gave you a trained blue falcon, take it,

I gave you a blue ribbon tied to it, take it!

Break off the dry branch of the pine,

Burn it in the fire!

My talkative fellow father-in-law

Take very good care of my daughter!

Break off the top branches of shrubs,

Put them on the fire!

62

Tündö bir catıp tüş kördüm, tekem,

Tüşümdö caman iş kördüm, tekem,

Bul toodon keteli, tekem,

Alıskı toogo ceteli tekem.

I went to bed at night, I had a dream, darling,

In my dream I saw monsters, darling.

Let’s leave behind these mountains, darling!

Let’s go to faraway mountains, darling!

63

Bekbekey aştı bel aştı

Beline saadak caraştı.

Saksakay aştı, say aştı

Sanına saadak caraştı.

Bekbekey set out over the mountain,

His quiver fitted his waist well,

Saksakay set out over the valley,

His quiver fitted his waist well.

64

Arman23 , ay, adamda türkün tagdır bar

Ay arman, ar kanday bolot tagdırlar.

Arman ay, adamdın kelbes kolunan

Arman ay, şum acal menen ölüm zar.

Arman ay, sanaa bir külük, izi cok

Al arman, korgoşun salmak mizi cok.

Arman, acal bir cetip kün bütsö

Çirkin (al) kara cer tartat küçü tok…

Hardship, how many types of fate you can have?

Hardship, alas, fates are different.

Hardship, alas, man is helpless,

Hardship, ay, the last hour, death is cruel.

Hardship, ay, worries come suddenly, without a signal.

Hardship, alas, lead is heavy, it has no point.

Hardship, the day is over, the last hour has arrived.

When black soil accepts you, its power is great.

6524

Kabakka tüşkön küyöö bar.

(Degi) kaynene değen biröö bar.

Kayrıp alat sözüñdü

Kapaga koşot özüñdü.

Ayılga tüşkön küyöö bar

(Degi) abısın değen biröö bar.

Añdıp alat sözüñdü

Ayıñ kılat özüñdü.

Here’s a son-in-law going down the valley,

Here’s a person called mother-in-law.

She misunderstands your word,

She is the cause of her grieving.

Here’s a son-in-law coming to your village,

Here is a person called sister-in-law.

She keeps chasing your word,

She makes you the target of gossip.

66

Kırañdan sogup cel tursa

Kıyıtıp ırdaym el tursa.

Kılıgı cakşı kara köz

Kılgıra karap tim tursa.

Kılgıra karap tim tursa.

Kaykıdan sogup cel tursa

Kaymana ırdaym el tursa.

Kadırı cakşı kara köz

Körmöksön bolup tim tursa.

Kadırı cakşı kara köz

Körmöksön bolup tim tursa.

When the winds blow from the plateau,

I can’t feel it but I tell it.

My sweetheart with a fine shape and black eyes

Is gazing at me,

Is gazing at me,

When the winds blow from the mountains

I tell it secretly if someone listens.

My valuable dear with the black eyes

Would pretend he heard nothing,

My valuable one with the black eyes

Would pretend he heard nothing.

67

Atar aldı salkınday şamal cel cüröt

Şamdagay uşul şamalda bizde kim cüröt

Oynotup toonun tulparın erkin üyrötüp

Şamdagay uşul zamanda bizde kim cüröt?

It’s become dawn, there is a cool breeze,

Who is passing here in this curly wind?

Who is approaching us rapidly this time of day,

Jumping and training his horse?

68

Ömür çirkin mınça nege kıskasın?

Kıskaruuga münöt sayın ustasıñ?

Cok degende berse bolo adamga

Bir cüz eki, bir cüz bir caştın tutkasın.

Kıyalap basıp kelesiñ,

Kızıl gül kolgo beresiñ.

Unutpay meni cürçü dep

Uktasam tüşkö kiresiñ.

Life, why are you so short?

Making every minute shorter.

If nothing else, you should give man

A hundred, a hundred and two years.

You are going down the hill,

You give a red rose in my hand.

Lest I should forget you,

You sneak into my dreams, too.

69

Çokoyum buttan suurulup

Çor boldu taman tuurulup.

Çoy-çoylop cürüp ötömbu?

Çokuda bir kün buyugup.

Ötügüm buttan suurulup

Özögüm ooruyt buyugup.

Özgöçö kördüm korduktu

Ölömbü bir kün buyugup…

I’ll kick my felt boots off my feet,

I’ll stamp my thickened soles.

Will I die while driving sheep?

One day a blizzard will catch me on the mountain.

I’ll kick my boots off my feet,

Fear grips my guts.

I suffered humiliations, too,

I will die by losing my way.

70

Asmandap uçkan cagalmay

Cagalmay cemin taba albay,

Kayran bir ömür kayran caş

Ketip kaldı şamalday.

…Aldeylep öskön apakem

Meni kaydan tabasıñ?

Kalkıbız caylayt köçmöndüü

Baldar, kalk caktırbayt köpköndü.

Kadırın kantip unutam

Kalkımda şair ösköndü?

The grey hawk soaring in the sky,

The grey hawk hasn’t found its prey.

Beautiful life, existence

Is gone with the wind.

Mother, who rocked me in the crib and reared me

Where could you find me?

Our folk live, settle, move,

Our people don’t like those who don’t find their place.

How could I forget those

Who live as poets among my folk?

7125

Kurandın sözün baykagan

Enekem kurdaştın köönün caykagan.

Aylındagı kurdaştar,

Enemdin urmatın körüp tarkagan.

My mother observed the instructions of the Quran,

My mother won the heart of her friends,

All her friends in the village

Recognized her greatness.

72

Kız algan carga da cete albay

Kıynoosunu tartkan andan köp.

*Cardı ele carday cügürgön

Caşıl ala da buudan köp.

Caş algan carga cete albay (anan)

Capasın çekken andan köp.

Turumtay menen barçındı26

Turguzbay bilgin barkımdı.

Tereñ go oylop tekşergin

Teñtuşçuluk saltıñ kıl….

Many are those who suffer because

They fail to reach the lass they’ve chosen.

Many are the mottled nomadic horses

Racing around in ravines.

Many are those who suffer because

They failed to reach the lass they’d marry.

Falcons and eagles

Know my worth without words.

Contemplate thoroughly, my fellow,

Your tradition.

73

Ubara (gana) boldum cön ele

Sen (gana) taruudagı bödönö.

Aydap (bir) çıgarım Aşkem dep

Ubara boldum böödö ele.

Aydap (bir) çıksam,

Karmap (bir) çıksam

Anan keçet (bir) beleñ cön ele?

You spared no trouble in vain,

Nightingale in the millet field,

I’m searching and I’ll find my Aškem

Despite all the hardships.

If I were chasing him,

If I got hold of him,

Would you just let me go?

7427

Asılım beyiş atakem

Ayaktay taştın aldında

Atakem altınıñ kaldı birikpey

Ay tiygiz cerdin aldında

Atakem kantip bir cattıñ erikpey?

Atakem, küröktöy taştın aldında

Kümüşüñ kaldı birikpey.

Kün tiybes cerdin aldında.

Atakem, catasıñ kantip erikpey?

Atakem, a düynö cayga barganda

Cakşının baarı al cayda

Cakşılarga koşulup

Atakem, beyiştin törün keñ cayla.

My noble, heavenly father,

There’s a stone dish under you,

Gold left behind though not collected,

The Moon doesn’t shine upon you under the ground.

Daddy dear, how can you lie there?

Daddy dear, under a shovelful of stone.

Your silver left behind though not collected,

The Sun doesn’t shine upon you under the ground.

Daddy dear, how can you lie there?

Daddy dear, you went to the otherworld,

All the righeous are gathering there,

You are mingling with them

Daddy, yours will be the pride of place in heaven.

7528

Albırt a calbırt ot küysö

Eteğiñ menen öçürgün.

Kayneneñ caman bir cakşı söz aytsa

Karaldım, külkü menen keçirgin…

Suuda (bir) suusar oynoyt go

Suusardın cünü oñboyt go.

Aman bolsun baldarıñ

Bir özüñdöy bolboyt go.

Should the fire burn with large flames,

Throw your skirt and quench it with it.

Should your mother-in-law say silly words,

My darling, tame her with humorous words.

Sables swim in water, don’t they?

Aren’t sables skinned for their fur?

May your children all be healthy,

You should be the healthiest of all!

76

Alaluu cılkı elde bar

Az mildet Üköy sende bar.

Acırap kaldım cete albay

Üköyüm, ayıkpas ildet mende bar…

There’s a mottled stud at home,

There’s little gratitude in you.

I parted with you, I can’t come to see you

My Üköy, I am incurably ill.

77

Kögörgön köldö tursam da men

Köz çaptıram askaga.

Köñülümdü burbaymın

Bir özüñdön başkaga.

Were I in a fair blue lake

I’d be gazing at the mountains.

I’d never give my heart

To anyone but you.

78

Ak barak bolso kolumda

Aga (bir) cazsañ sonun da.

Altınga okşoş Üköyüm

Teetigi apapak toodun boorunda.

Kögültür kagaz sonun da

Köp cazsañ aga borumda.

Kümüşkö okşoş Üköyüm

Teetigi kün tiybes toodun boorunda….

When I have a white sheet in hand,

I can write onto it nicely.

My Üköy, who is like gold,

You are right behind the white mountain.

The blue paper’s also nice

If you write a lot onto it.

My Üköy who is like silver

Is right behind the mountain left by the sun.

79

Caştıktı kimder kılbagan

Caş ötkön sayın ılgagan.

Caştıktı kılbay koygonsup

Kep kılat eken ulgaygan….

Who didn’t live full-blooded in their youth

Will come to regret it getting old.

The time of youth not used up well

Will make you reproachful.

8029

Arkaña örüp çaçıñdı

Kimdin go kızı degizgem.

Altı Arkar cıldız batkança

Bakenim, ceti aylanıp emizgem.

Celkeñe örüp çaçıñdı

Men kimdin kızı degizgem.

Ceti Arkar cıldız batkança

Ceti aylanıp emizgem.

Bakenim, kümüş menen kalaydı

Küygüzöt ölüm dalaydı.

Bakenim, altın menen kalaydı

Bakenim, azaptuu kılat dalaydı…

Seeing your hair braided at the back

Whose daughter is this? I asked.

While the Little Bear30 star was shining,

My Baken, I got us six times to give breast to you.

Seeing your hair braided at the side

Whose daughter am I? I made you say,

While the Great Bear31 star was shining,

I got up seven times to give breast to her.

My Baken, silver and tinware,

So many people are seized by death.

My Baken, gold and tinware,

My Baken, all kinds of people.

81

Alma beken beşigiñ

Karaldım alat (bir) beken akeyiñ?

Örük beken beşigiñ

Karaldım öböt beken akeyiñ?

Ciyde senin beşigiñ

Karaldım cibiyt (bir) beken akeyiñ?

Was your crib made of apples?

Darling, did daddy take you in his hand?

Was your crib made of plums?

Darling, did daddy kiss you?

Was your crib made of olive wood?

Darling, did daddy love you?

8232

Kök taylak catat kıyada

Caş mırzam, boz topurak uyada.

Caş mırzam, kalbaptır elden köñülüñ

Caş mırzam, caşabaptır ömürüñ.

Caş mırzam, baldardan körböy ubaydı

Caş mırzam, cılıp ketti tiyakka…

A grey camel calf’s lying on the slope,

My young husband, in the grey earth.

My young husband, no one’s broken your heart.

My young husband, you haven’t lived your life.

My young master, you haven’t seen your children,

My young master, you’ve left for the other world.

83

Sanay bersem sanaam ketet taralıp

Bilinbesten ötüp barat balalık.

Kol karmaşıp koş aytalbay alıstap

Ketken eken münözü bal balalık.

Ötkön ömür kayra kelbeyt caralıp

Öçöşköndöy saamay çaçım agarıp.

No use sitting, racking my brains,

The childhood’s over in a jiffy.

It didn’t shake hands, it fled,

Gentle childhood is gone.

The time that’s past will never return,

It will even make our hair white.

84

Kızım menen bir bassam caraşambı?

Kızım menen bir bassam artta kalam.

Men kartayıp, men kartayıp

baratambı?

I’m walking with my daughter, is it proper?

I’m walking with my daughter, I fall behind,

Will I still walk when I am old, when

I’m old?

85

Törgö kilem taştagan,

Enekem törödöy uulun baştagan.

Kapşıtta kilem taştagan,

Enekem kanışa kelin baştagan.

She laid a kilim33 on the pride of place,

Mummy governed her son the young master.

She laid kilims along the sides, too,

Mummy’s governed her daughter-in-law.

8634

Manculu ataga kuran okup çal oturgan

Bir kız keldi kapıstan alıstan.

Çoçup ketip artın karap baykuş çal

Atı-cönün surap kaldı kapıstan.

Kızdın atı-cönü Emma eken angliçan

Cakıpkan Manculuga kelgenin.

Tilek tilep Manculudan ketkenin.

Aytıp berdi kıskaça

Altay cakka cetkenin

Altaydan bala körgönün.

Advanced in years, he was praying to Father Manǰu.

From the distance suddenly a girl returned.

The frightened old man turned to the girl

Asking about her family and homeland.

Her name’s Emma, she’s an English citizen,

The oldman talked long of Yakip Khan’s arrival in Manchuria,

His departure from Manǰuria with great wishes,

His passage

Towards the Altay mountain,

The birth of his child in the Altay.

87

Oylonup tuura tüşünsöñ

Küçtüü eken ilim, bilim, okuular.

Acal cetip, künüñ bütüp ketpese

Ar adamga sebep eken dokturlar.

You’ll judge right if you ponder,

Science, the schools were strong.

The hour of death doesn’t spare anyone,

Doctors profit from everyone.

Canım kalar beken dep

Dalay can keldi sandaşıp.

Dalaydın kalıp soobuna

Alıp kaldıñ dokturlar.

Acal menen karmaşıp.

Will my soul be saved, I wonder?

Lots of people will come.

Doctors will do their best,

They’ll make them live,

They’ll fight off death, too.

88

Aloy35 değen bir çöp bar

(Ce) izdep cürüp tabambı?

Üyüñdön turup ugasıñ

Aalamda bolgon kabardı.

Bu zaman arman kılçu zamanbı?

Çıkıldap sogot saatı

(Ce) cüröktön algan (da) dabışı.

Cüdöy turgan zamanbı?

E curtum, üyüñdön suuñ ağızdı.

There’s a herb called aloe,

Shall I find it if I look for it, I wonder.

If you keep sitting at home,

Will you be informed of the world’s news?

Won’t you be sorry for the lost time?

The clock goes tick-tacking,

It leant this sound from the heart.

This is a very hard time now,

Alas, my country, water flew from the house, too.

89

Tamçıñ (bir) agat kuyulup

(Ce) ak nanıñ bışat cuurulup.

Baktıluu baldar bolsunçu

Mına bu Kuurdun tuzu buyurup.

Cıldızıñ batat suyulup

(Ce) balıgıñ oynoyt çuburup.

Baktıluu kelin bolsunçu

Mına bu Ak-Terektin tuzu buyurup.

Your drops dripping, spilt out,

Your bread’s baking, kneaded.

Be happy, children!

Behold, this is Kuur’s wish.

Your star is falling exhausted,

Your fish is frisking trembling,

Be the young wife blessed,

Behold, this is Ak-Terek’s salt.

90

Gül kezekti eske salıp cürömün

Appak karday siz degende cürögüm.

Süyüü işi cürögümö kadaldı

Çının aytsam men kempirimdi,

kempirimdi süyömün.

Oyumdasıñ ar ubakta süygön car

Kat ciberem poçta arkıluu tosup al.

Eki caştın tilegine kargaşa

Arabızda buzukudan neçen bar?

Arabızda buzukudan neçen bar?

I keep thinking of my wonderful youth,

I’ll tell you my snow-white memories.

Love has captured my heart,

Honestly, I love my darling with all my heart,

I love my darling.

I always think of you, my darling,

Fetch my letter from the the post office!

Separating the desire of two young people,

Could anything be worse than the distance between us?

Could anything be worse?

91

Sal, sal, sal, bilek

Sarı mayga mal, bilek.

Koyon kaçtı koş,bilek

Koşu menen beş bilek….

Get going, going, going, baby,

Dip it into yellow butter, baby!

The rabbit’s gone, two babies

In pairs are five babies.

92

Ay nuru bizge tögüldü

Agaylar aççı köñüldü.

Ardaktap cürüp ötölü

Aldıda turgan ömürdü.

The moonlight has flooded us,

Gentlemen, entertain me.

Aware of its great value,

Let us spend our lives.

Kün nuru bizge tögüldü

Kükügüm aççı köñüldü.

Güldötüp cürüp ötölü

Gülgündöy caştık ömürdü.

The light of the sun’s flooded us,

My cuckoo bird, have a good time.

Let’s spend the time merrily,

Our youth which is like a rose!

93

Siz menen birge cürüügö

Men kandayça metod koldonom?

Siz menen birge cürüügö

Men kandayça metod koldonom?

Arpa (bir) menen Aksaydı

Aşıp barıp el caylayt.

Azap (bir) menen tozokko

Kanday (bir) cigit bel baylayt?

How could I manage to be

Together with you?

How could I manage to be

Together with you?

With Arpa and Aksay

The folks go to the summer pasture.

With torments and anguish

Which young man would gird himself?

94

Germandı Sovet ceñse eken (al)

Sokkunu aga berse eken.

Sarsanaa kılbay adamdı (al)

Baykem aman kelse eken.

Will the Soviets defeat the Germans,

If only they’d smite them!

Without causing excitement

I wish my brother would return safely!

95

Kümüştün keni sayda go

Külüktün körkü bayloodo.

Külüp bir oynop bir cürsök

Gül cıttangan cayloodo.

Ar türdüü güldör sayda bar (al)

Urugun terip aydap al.

Bir kişi menen bir kişi

Birdey bolmok kayda bar.

The silver mine is in the stream,

The beauty of a nomad horse is in the harness.

I wish we could go laughing and dancing

Together in the summer pasture fragrant of roses!

There are all sorts of flowers in the stream,

Collect their seeds grow them!

There is not a single person

Who is exactly like another, you should know!

96

Uluu (bir) toonu tötölöp

Uuldu baktık eköölöp.

Urmattuu karı men boldum

Uulumdun kızın, uulumdun uulun

cetelep.

Kızıl bir toonu tötölöp

Kızdardı baktık eköölöp.

Kımbattuu karı men boldum

Kızımdın kızın, kızımdın kızın

cetelep.

We made it over large mountains,

We’ve brought up our son.

I alone lived to see venerable old age,

I took my son’s daughter, my son’s son

for a walk.

We made it over red mountains,

We brought up our daughters.

I alone lived to see valuable old age,

I took my daughter’s daughter, my

daughter’s daughter for a walk.

97

Kayda kettiñ ıraaktap?

Turganda eki bala ermegim.

Where have you gone, you’re gone?

You’ve left me two children.

98

At-Başı değen cerimden

Ak kalpak kırgız elimden.

Ataktuu akın boluptur (oo)

Agayın tuugan elimden.

From my home called At-Baši,

From my white-capped Kyrgyz people,

Famous poets have been born,

Raising the fame of our people.

Kasımaalı, Kazıbek

Kazaldarı aytılıp

Kalkıñdan ırdap cürgön köp.

Rasuldun ırları

Irdalıp cüröt bul dagı.

Moñoldordon Boogaçı

Boluş bolgon bul dagı.

Bozdop (bir) ırdap Üköyün (oy)

Ötkön bir eken bul dagı.

Kasimali, Kazibek

Singing gazels

That spread among the people.

Rasul’s songs

Are still sung today.

Boogači was our leader

Of Mongolian origin.

He would sing sad songs about Üköy.

And that’s how his life went by.

99

Ey, ecelüü, siñdüü kelinder

Canıma beri keliñer.

Men kayekten ekenim

Surap bilip alıp külüñör.

Kara-Tegin, Cerge-Taldan

Kaçıp kelgen balamın.

Toygo bakkan toktuday

Togolok gana balamın.

Hey, sisters, young mistress,

Gather here around me!

Learn where I am coming from

Then have a good laugh!

From Kara-Tegin, ǰerge-Tal

My child escaped.

Like the yearling meant for a wedding,

My dear buxom child.

100

Çoñ-Kara-Kol çetindi

Çotumdun mizi ketildi.

Çoyulup barıp men öpsöm

Akzıynat, senin çokton kızıl betiñdi.

Keñ-Kara-Kol çetindi

Kerkimdin mizi ketildi.

Kerilip barıp men öpsöm

Akzıynat, men kebezdey cumşak betiñdi.

The grand Kara-Kol was hard,

My horse was foaming at the mouth.

I’d kiss your flaming red cheeks,

Akziynat, leaning close to you.

The wide Kara-Kol was hard,

My horse was foaming at the mouth.

I’d kiss your cheeks softer than cotton-wool,

Akziynat, taking a step backward.

101

Kararıp közüñ kılgırıp

Kakşıktı aytıp cıldırıp.

Kaçan (bir) kolgo tiyesiñ

Sen kara candı tındırıp.

Süygöndön berdim koluña

Men sürötümdü tarttırıp.

Süygönüm altın sen menen

Süylöşöm kaçan katkırıp.

With your enchanting eyes

You’re looking tauntingly.

When can I get hold of you

So that you may revive my loving heart?

I gave into his hand my lover’s picture,

I had her photo taken.

My love, my darling,

When can we talk to you?

102

Aldey, aldey, ak balam

Ak beşikke cat, balam.

Kunan koydu soy, balam

Kuyruguna toy, balam.

Ööbay balam, ööbay balam.

Sleep, sleep, my innocent babe,

Lie in a white cradle, my babe.

Kill a three-year-old sheep, babe,

Eat your fill of its tail, my babe.

Hush-a-bye, baby, hush, babe!

103

Arpanın Ala-Toosunan

Arkarın atsam zoosunan.

Aylantıp turup ey bir öpsöm

Asılkeç sendey selki oozunan.

From Arpa’s Ala-Dag

I’d shoot a stag off the cliff.

If only I’d hugged and kissed

On the lips a lass like you!

Arpanın Ala-Toosunan

Arkarın atsam zoosunan.

Asılkeç sendey selkinin

Aylantıp öpsöm oozunan.

From Arpa’s Ala-Dag

I’d shoot a stag off its cliff.

I wish I’d hugged the lass like you

And kissed her on the lips!

104

Kerme (bir) toonun türlörün

Kelinim terse güldörün.

Kelinden körüp ubaydı

Men, kelbetin körsöm düynönün.

Ularluu toonun türlörün

Uulum (bir) terse güldörün.

Uuldan körüp ubaydı

Men urmatın körsöm düynönün.

The types of Kerme-Too,

When my daughter-in-law’s picking rose.

When I see the kindliness of my daughter-in-law,

I wish I’d see the advance of the world.

The types of mountains with wild turkeys,

When my son is picking roses.

When I see the kindliness of my son,

I wish I’d see the respect of the world!

105

Kızıldan senin cooluguñ

Kıyladan artık coruguñ.

Kılıgıñdı köp sanap

Kıynooñdu tartıp oorudum.

Your scarf is red,

You’re different from the rest.

I was pondering about you,

I found no remedy to my woe.

10636

Komuzuñdu kolgo alıp

Çertüüçü eleñ cırgalım.

Çerte (bir) tüşçü Toko dep

Kubanıp elder taraşkan.

Oy, menin alganım

Bul calgandan adaşkan.

Oozuñdagı ırdagan

Irdagan sayın caraşkan.

Irday (bir) tüşçü Toko dep

Kubanıp eliñ taraşkan.

With the lyre in your hand

You were playing, my happiness.

Go on, Toko, they kept saying,

They made merry, they went home.

Oh my dearest Husband,

You didn’t understand this false world.

The songs you sang

Were more and more like you,

Sing on, Toko, they kept saying,

They made merry, they went home.

107

Tört tülügü malga cay

Törlörü sonun muzdabas.

Tamaşañdı men sanap

Tartar (bir) boldum uktabas.

Its four peaks are inhabited, suited for livestock,

Its mountains are nice, not icy

I missed merry-making,

I became a woodcock who never sleeps.

108

Aksay (bir) cerdin soorusu

Añkıtat kongon konuşu.

Adamdın köönün kuykalap

Alısta kalgan boluuçu.

Kök irim cerdin soorusu (ce)

Köyköltöt kongon konuşu.

Adamdın köönün kuykalap (al)

Körünböy kalgan boluuçu.

Aksay is the nave of the world,

Its fragrance floats from all over.

My lover’s got stuck

Somewhere in the distance.

The middle of whirling waters,

Pastures are his dwelling place.

My lover has grown

Invisible somewhere.

109

Kurbu bir kurbu, kurbu taş

Kuuşup oynoyt ördök-kaz.

Kurbudan kurbu ayrılsa

Kuyulat eken közdön caş.

Tektir bir tektir, tektir saz

Tebişip oynoyt ördök-kaz

Teñtuştan teñtuş ayrılsa

Tegerenet közdön caş.

A flat stone, a flat stone,

A duck and a goose chase each other.

When a lassie parts with a lad,

Tears are flowing from their eyes.

Wavy, wavy is the reed,

Ducks and geese dance waddling.

When someone parts with a peer,

Their eyes brim with tears.

110

Sen bolsoñ kauhar suuluu möltür bulak

Cıbılcıp agıp kelseñ toodon kulap.

Suuñdu suusap suusap içkim kelet.

Canıña çatıp alıp meken kurap.

Bolboso cubay akkuu bolor beleñ

Aydıñga birge barıp konor beleñ?

Aykaşıp tay kulunça37 taytaktaşıp

Kumardan oşol künü kanar belem?

If you were the crystal clear brook,

You’d slowly descend from the mountain.

To quench my thirst

I’d lie and nestle by your side.

Or were you a never parting swan,

Settling by my side at a bright place.

Playing and frolicing like a colt

Could I fulfil my passion that day?

111

Köl ceeginde köp gül turat

Biri kızıl, biri kök.

Birde süysö, birde süyböyt

Anın sırın kim bilet?

Eger Volga tolkup aksa

Anı süzüü en kıyın.

Süygön carıñ süyböy koyso

Anı süyüü en kıyın.

There are many flowers on the lake shore,

There are red, there are blue ones.

One loves, the other loves not,

Who can unravel this secret?

When the Volga billows,

You cannot swim in it.

If your darling stops loving you tomorrow,

You won’t be able to bear it.

112

Uşul üydün üzügü

Üzülüñkü körünöt.

Uşul üydö bir ceñem

Süzülüñkü körünöt.

Bıçak uçu caltırayt

May tomurup atabı?

Üköktörü şaldırayt

Kurut alıp atabı?

The roof of the house

Appears to be shabby.

The mistress of the house

Appears to be cheeky.

The tip of the knife is shining,

Is she getting butter with it?

The cupboard is creaking,

Is she taking out some curd?

113

Bir butakta eki alma

Sen dagı da alba, men da alba.

Emne bolup kalgansıñ

Kızıl gül beleñ men barda?

Two apples on one branch –

You an apple and me one, too.

What’s happened to you,

You were a red rose and I was the field-guard?

Caş kesek caydın kurağı

Caş boydon adam turabı?

Caş keziñde oynop kül

Caş kezek kelbeyt turbaybı.

Youth is the summer of life,

We won’t remain young, will we?

Make merry and laugh when you’re young,

It will never ever return!

114

Baldarım aman bolsun dep

Bak-taalay üygö konsun dep.

Ardaktap kütsök ak toydu

Ak tilek kabıl bolsun dep.

Caşoobuz cakşı bolsun dep

Cakşılık üygö konsun dep.

Kadırlap kütsök meymandı

Kaaloosun aytıp koysun dep.

May my children be in good health,

Their homes be filled with luck and happiness.

Let’s have a hopeful wedding party,

May our wishes come true!

May our lives be nice,

Our home be filled with goodness!

We entertain our guests in good style,

So they will tell us their wishes!

115

Balamday körgön kelinim

Bal sözüñ ugup eridim.

Meerimdi tögüp oynoçu

Men boloyun şerigiñ.

Baleketiñdi alayın

Baykesi bolom eriñdin.

Asabın tartıp cüröm go

Senin alakanday ceriñdin.

My daughter-in-law, my child,

Your honey-sweet words please me,

You’ve captivated me with your dance,

Let me be your lover.

Let me be my brother who longs for you,

Your husband.

I am suffering

For a handful of your space.

116

Burulçanın selkinçek

Burbay tepçi kelinçek.

Alımkandın selkinçek

Anday teppey mıınday tep…

The swing of Burulča

Don’t step twirling, lady!

The swing of Alimkan

Not this way, step that way!

11738

Sal, sal, sal, bilek

Sarı koygo mal, bilek.

Kunan39 koydu soy, bilek

Kuyruguna toy, bilek.

Köpölök ittin kuyrugun

Kölökö kılıp bereyin.

Götönüñdö çalmanı

Eşiktegi eki itke

Bulamık kılıp bereyin.

Move, move, get moving, babe,

Dip it into butter, babe,

Kill a three-year-old animal, babe,

Eat your fill of its tail!

Butterfly from the dog’s tail,

I make a shade for you.

The poop from your bum

Will be offered to two dogs,

Let them have a feast.

118

Aksaydın başı balkındı

İy canım, ak baytal oyttoyt salkında.

Aytıp (bir) aytpay ne payda

İy canım, alıska ketken altındı?

The front of Aksay is gently hilly,

A white mare’s grazing at a cool place.

What good is it to speak out

My lover who’s gone far away?

Kök saydın başı balkındı

(E koyçu), kök baytal ottoyt salkında.

Körüp bir körböy ne payda

O canım, kömüskö ketken altındı?

The mouth of the blue valley is bumpy,

A blue stud’s grazing at a cool place.

What’s the use of not seeing

A lover who’s crept away stealthily?

119

Bekbekey40 aştı, bel aştı

Beline belboo caraştı.

Saksakay kaçtı say aştı

Sanına saadak caraştı.

Ukuruk uçu dolono

Uuru da börü colobo.

İynemdin uçun maytardım

Bügün da koroo kaytardım.

Bekbekey’s gone beyond the mountain

The quiver fitted his waist well.

Saksakay’s gone, beyond the valley,

The quiver fitted his belt well.

The tip of my spindle is a thorn,

Robbers, wolves should not come near!

I’ve twisted the tip of my needle,

I was tending the flock today.

120

Cayganım kolhoz cılkısı

Cayloonun menmin ırçısı.

Oylop koy selki ilgeri

Boluppu mendey cılkıçı

Boluppu mendey cılkıçı.

Cılkı ottoyt çöptün türlörün.

Men cıttaym cıpar güldörün.

Eriktim cılkı çetinde

Eskerip kelçi süygönüm.

Eskerip kelçi süygönüm.

I was grazing the flock of the kolkhoz,

I was the singer of the summer pastures.

Imagine, sweetheart, in times of yore

I was a shepherd second to none,

I was a shepherd second to none.

The stud was grazing all sorts of grass,

I would deeply inhale their smell.

I am bored just with the flock,

Come darling and see me,

Come darling and see me.

121

Kündör ötüp baratat

Külgün kezek bala çak.

Külüñdöşüp alıştan

Kün, Çolpondoy karatat.

Aylap ötüp baratat

Altın kezek bala çak.

Aşık kılıp adamdı

Ay, Çolpondoy karatat.

From day to day the time of laughter,

Childhood passes.

Smiling from faraway,

Venus looks down with the Sun.

From day to day our golden age,

Our childhood dwindles.

You are then made to fall in love

By the Moon and by Venus.

122

(Oy) Kiresiñ menin tüşüme

Uşunça meni zarlantıp (çirkin)

Sen barsıñbı cerdin cüzündö?

*Cazdıkka başım burulsa

Kiresiñ menin tüşüme.

Uşunça meni zarlantıp (çirkin)

Barsıñbı cerdin cüzünde?

Ah, when you get mingled with my dream

You make me sad as I am,

Are you still on the earth?

When I rest my head on the pillow

You appear in my dreams, too.

Is there anything else on earth

That can make me so sad?

123

Kudaybergen ceenim,

Çakırtıpsıñ üyüñö.

Ataktuu baatır Çolponbay,

Alıp keldi tünündö.

My sister Kudaybergen

You invited me to your place.

Famous hero Čolponbay

Took me at a late hour.

Çakırgan çerge barganday

Çapan cok ele kiyüügö.

Alçaktatıp cürüşkö

At kayda maga minüügö.

I didn’t have proper clothes,

A nice caftan to put on.

I didn’t have a fine steed,

To ride and arrive there.

124

Çokoyum buttan suurulup

Çor boldu taman tuurulup.

Çoy-çoylop cürüp ötömbü

Çokuda bir kün buyugup?

Ötügüm buttan suurulup

Özögüm sızdayt buulugup.

Özgöçö kördüm korduktu

Ölöm go bir kün buulugup.

I’ll kick my felt boots off my feet,

I’ll click my hardened soles.

Will I die one day, saying Choy, choy

In a snow storm on the peak?

I’ll kick my boots off my feet,

It pains me deep inside.

I’ve suffered much contempt and scorn,

One day I’ll have had enough and die.

125

Tattıdan tattı, tattıdan tattı

Kuçaktap catsañ, kımça bel tattı.

Kuykalap ceseñ, kuykum41 et tattı

Tattıdan tattı, tattıdan tattı….

Tattıdan tattı, ak tamak tattı

Kuykalap ceseñ, kuykum et tattı.

Kuçaktap catsañ, ak tamak tattı.

Tattıdan tattı, tattıdan tattı….

Sweeter than sweet, sweeter than sweet,

Lying in an embrace, a slender waist is the sweetest.

When you roast it on fire, meat with its skin is most delicious,

Sweeter than sweet, sweeter than sweet.

Sweeter than sweet, the white-necked one is the sweetest

When you roast it on fire, meat with its skin is most delicious,

Lying in an embrace, the white-necked is the sweetest,

Sweeter than sweet, sweeter than sweet.

12642

Bir balam Volga aydasa

Bir balam cayloo caylasa.

Kımızı43 kıçkıl bolgondo

Çakırıp bizdi sıylasa.

Koş aytışıp keterde

Nebere eerçip ıylasa.

If one of my sons were a Volga driver,

The other’d drive flocks in the summer pasture.

When his kumiss has got ready,

He’d invite us to a dinner.

When the times comes to say farewell

My grandchild would ask me to say in tears.

127

Kıyarıp közüñ kararat

A sen kıylaga saldıñ alamat.

Oynoş bolup alsam dep

Men da aşkere kıldım dalalat.

The look in your eyes is eloquent,

And you have talked to lots of people.

You told them I was your lover

I gave you too much attention.

128

Burulçanın selkinçek

Burbay tepçi kelinçek.

Küü-küü-küü-küü.

Burulçanın selkinçek

Burbay tepçi keliinçek.

Küü-küü-küü-küü.

Süyümkandın selkinçek

Süyöp tepçi kelinçek

Küü-küü-küü-küü.

Süyümkandın selkinçek

Süyöp tepçi kelinçek

Küü-küü-küü-küü.

Burulča‘s swing

Don’t take crooked steps, young lady!

Hoo-hoo-hoo-hoo.

Burulča’s swing

Don’t take crooked steps, young lady!

Hoo-hoo-hoo-hoo.

Süyümkan’s swing

Swing when you’re pulled, lady!

Hoo-hoo-hoo-hoo.

Süyümkan’s swing

Swing when you’re pulled, lady!

Hoo-hoo-hoo-hoo.

129

Şıp şırıldañ şır eken

Cılkıçının ırı eken…

Drip-drop dripping, it was a drop,

It was the horse-herder’s song…

130

Kızıl kürmö şayı kiyip

Boylogula kızdar ay.

Kızık köñül bar çakta

Oynogula kızdar ay.

Oynoy albay, külö albay

Kayran caştı ötközüp

Koybogula kızdar ay.

İ-i-iy, kızdar ay.

Put on red silk caftans

And stroll about in them, lassies, ay!

At the time of your wild youth

Dance a lot of dances, lassies, ay!

Without dancing, without laughing

Your lovely youth is in vain.

Don’t let is pass, lassies, ay!

Ay-hey, lassies, ay!

131

Atırday abañ añkıgan

Asmanı tunuk çalkıgan.

Suusunan içseñ kımızday

Adamdın deni balkıgan.

Öröönü kilem cayganday

Özgöçö körköm salkın cay.

Belinde çeksiz bereke

Tört tülüktüü malga bay.

Its air is full of ozone,

Its sky is light blue.

Its water is like kumiss

Enlivening the soul.

Its valley appears to be covered

By a wonderful cool blanket.

Its mountains are the paradise

Of animals full of blessing.

132

Küzdün (bir) künü kök kaşka

Küñgöyden akkan bulaktı.

Köñülden ketpey sağındım (men)

Kümüşüm altın ınaktı.

The water of an autumn day is sparkling,

Its current flows from the south.

From the depth of my heart I long for

My silver, my gold, my sweetheart.

133

Aldey, aldey, ak böbök,

Ak beşikke cat, böbök.

Apañ işten kelgençe

Uyku daamın tat, böbök.

Sleep, sleep, white baby,

Lie in a white cradle, baby.

Till mummy returns from work

Have a good night’s sleep.

13444

Kurandın sözün baykagan

Enekem kurdaştın köönün caykagan.

Aylındagı kurdaştar,

Enemdin urmatın körüp tarkagan.

Mummy observed each word of the Quran,

Mummy was loved by all her friends,

All her friends in the village,

They all admired her.

Kurandın sözün baykagan,

Kelindin köönün caykagan.

Aylındagı kelinder

Enemdin urmatın körüp tarkagan.

*Enekem inekke maldı cüktögön

Bayırkısın men aytsam

Narga cügün cüktögön.

Baldarına kalganda

Keñeşin aytıp “şük” değen.

She observed every word of the Quran,

She was loved by all the young women,

The young wives in her village

Paid her full reverence.

Mummy loaded her cow

To recall an early event,

The load was lost in fire.

As for her children,

She governed them with a firm hand.

135

Baldarım buudandı minse terdetip,

Kelinder buulumdu45 kiyse kirdetip.

Çoñ ene bolup balpayıp

Otursam beşik termetip.

If my children were hardworking nomads,

If my daughters-in-law dressed in silk,

I’d be lucky as a grandma,

I’d be sitting rocking a cradle.

136

Aralap alma baktarın

Men ağınan üzüp algamın.

Aldeylep cürüp çoñoytkom

Asılın körsöm balanın.

Kıdırıp alma baktarın

Men kızılın üzüp algamın.

Kıynalıp cürüp çoñoyttum

Kızıgın körsöm balanın…

Walking in an apple orchard

I chose a white one and picked it.

I reared my child with devotion,

Let me live to see his generosity!

Walking in an apple orchard

I chose a red one and picked it.

I reared my child amids great hardships,

Let me see his star rising!

137

Kızıl güldöy elem özgördüm

Kıylanı baştan ötkördüm.

Kırdaalıñ barda oynop al

Kıykırsañ kelbeyt ötkön kün.

*Caşıl güldöy elem özgördüm

Dalaydı baştan ötkördüm.

Caş keziñde oynop al

Calınsañ kelbeyt ötkön kün.

I was a red rose, I’ve changed,

I underwent so many things.

Dance and make merry in time,

However you scream, no past day will return.

I was a green rose, I’ve changed,

All sorts of things happened to me.

Have a good time while you’re young,

However you may beg, no past day will return.

138

Ey kaykısı biyik Muz-Tördün

Kayıp (bir) uçkan kuş kördüm.

Kayrattuu kelin men elem

Kaynene bolup özgördüm.

Ey çokusu biyik Muz-Tördün

Çogulup uçkan kuş kördüm.

Çoyulgan kelin men elem

Çoñ ene bolup özgördüm.

Ey, in the Muz-Tör with the high pass

I saw a lost and lonely bird.

I was a hardworking young woman,

I became a mother-in-law, I’ve changed.

Ey, in the Muz-Tör with the high summit

I saw birds flying in flocks.

I used to be a proud young woman,

I became a grandmother, I’ve changed.

139

Kara kürmö şayı kiyip

Boylogula kızdar ay.

Kadır-köñül bar çakta

Oynogula kızdar ay.

Oynoy albay, külö albay

Oyun barkın bile albay

Kayran caştı ötkörüp

Koybogula kızdar ay.

Caftans made of black silk fabric

Are worn by lassies of various build.

There’s desire, there is the heart,

Just have the flair for playing, lassies, oh!

Those who don’t play or laugh

Have no idea what playing is good for.

They waste their beautiful youth,

Beware you’ll be sorry one day, lassies, oh!

140

Sen kızıl gül caynagan

Men bulbul bakta sayragan.

Sen bir panar men panar

Carıgıñ gana öçsö

Caylanam, caylanam, caylanam?

Açılgan gülgö cetsembi

Aşıktıgım bekerbi?

Açılgan gülgö cete albay

Armanda kalıp ötüp

Ketembi, ketembi, ketembi?

You are a blooming red rose,

I’m a thrush singing in the tree.

You are a lantern, I am one, too,

If your light goes out,

What shall I do, what shall I do?

Shall I hurry to the blooming rose?

Is my love all in vain?

If I can’t reach the blooming rose,

Will I die amidst torments,

Will I die?

141

Ak kuba bolgon tügöngür

Añgeme aytıp külgöndür.

Aşıgım kayda ketti dep

(Oşo) aylasın tappay cürgöndür.

Kıpkızıl bolgon tügöngür

Kılçaktap basıp külgöndür.

Kızıktuum kayda ketti dep

(Oşo) kıynoonu tartıp cürgöndür.

My darling with the snow-white cheeks

Spoke ill of me and laughed.

Where did my darling go? she asked,

She left in anguish.

My darling with the red cheeks

Is looking for me laughing.

Where’s my merry darling? she asked,

She left in sorrow.

142

Say sagızgan sayda eken

San cılkı kalhoz bayda eken.

Sagınsam közgö körünböy

Oy, sanaalaş carım kayda eken?

Oy, sanaalaş carım kayda eken?

Kök kögüçkön köldö eken.

Köp cılkı kalhoz bayda eken.

Körünböy közgö elesiñ

Ay, köp cılkı kalhoz kayda eken?

Ay, köp cılkı kalhoz kayda eken?

The water magpie walks in water,

The kolkhoz had lots of studs.

However much I yearn for him, he can’t be seen,

Where is my yearned-for sweetheart?

Where is my yearned-for sweetheart?

The blue bird walks in the lake,

The kolkhoz had lots of studs.

It can’t be seen, it’s lost in the mists

Where’s the kolkhoz with the studs?

Where’s the kolkhoz with the studs?

143

Aldey, balam, aldey

El cayloodon tüşö elek.

Arpa talkan bışa elek.

Aldey, aldey, aldey

Aldey, balam, aldey

Sleep, my baby, sleep,

They haven’t returned from the summer pasture.

The barley and roast wheat isn’t cooked yet.

Sleep, sleep, sleep,

Sleep, my baby, sleep!

Kunan koydun kuyruğun

Bulamık kılıp bereyin.

Aldey, balam, aldey

Iylabaçı sadagañ.

El cayloodon tüşö elek

Atañ toogo ketti ele.

Kancıgası46 tolgon et kelet.

Aldey, aldey, aldey

Iylabaçı balam.

I cook soup for you

From the three-year-old lamb’s tail,

Sleep, my child, sleep,

Don’t cry, my little one!

They haven’t returned from the summer pasture.

Your father’s gone to the mountain,

He’ll bring meat tied to his saddle.

Sleep, baby, sleep

Don’t cry my little one!

144

Ak köynök kiysem ceñi tar

Ceñ uçunda katı bar.

Katın alıp okusam

Menin alganımdın atı bar.

*Kök köynök kiysem ceñi tar

Mına ceñ uçunda katı bar.

Katın (bir) alıp okusam

(Tetigi) baldarımdın atı bar….

If I don a white dress, the sleeves will be tight,

There’s a letter hidden in one.

If I read the letter,

I will get to know my suitor’s name.

If I don a blue dress, the sleeves will be tight,

There’s a letter hidden in one.

If I read the letter,

I will get to know my children’s names.

145

Salamdan baştaym ırımdı

Anıktap sizge sırımdı.

Calpı caşka tarıhım

(Mobu) bolsun dep cazdım bul ırdı.

Asel, sagınsam da men muñduu

Cetsin dep sunam kolumdu.

Ketpeysiñ menin esimden

(Mobu) suusar bir kaltar borumduu.

Let me start my verse with greeting,

Let me tell my secret.

I want to let all young people know

My story, that’s why I wrote my verse.

Asel, missing you makes me sad,

I’ve had enough, I open my arms,

I can’t forget you,

Your sable-like figure.

146

Almaluu bakta men cüröm,

Almasın terip cep cüröm.

Alma (bir) tergen kızdardı

Ala kaçsam dep cüröm.

Cüzüm (bir) bakta men cüröm,

Cüzümün terip cep cüröm.

Cüzüm (bir) tergen kızdardı

Culmalasam dep cüröm.

I walk in an apple orchard,

I pick apples and eat them.

I’d like to catch and kidnap

Lassies picking apples.

I walk in a grape yard.

I pick grapes and eat them.

I’d take delight in teasing

Lassies picking grapes.

14747

Argımakka at koşkon

Ar cakşı menen baş koşkon.

Toburçakka at koşkon (koyçu)

Top çakşı menen baş koşkon.

He gave a horse for a horse,

He made friends with all pleasant people.

He gave a horse for …

He made friends with all good people.

148

Ak boz attın takası

Ak irim köldün cakası.

Aytmayınça cazılbayt (oo çirkin)

Azırkı caştın kapası.

Cana-cana-cana

Azırkı caştın kapası.

Kök boz attın takası

Kök irim köldün cakası.

Körmöyünçö cazılbayt (oo çirkin)

Köpçülüktün kapası.

Cana-cana-cana

Köpçülüktün kapası.

The shoe of a grayish white horse –

The shore of a whirling wide pond.

If they can’t talk out their trouble

Today’s youth won’t get rid of it.

Again again again,

They can’t get rid of it.

The shoe of a greyish white horse –

The shore of a whirling wide pond.

Without taking note of them,

People’s troubles can’t be erased,

Again again again

Many people’s troubles.

149

Külsöñ bir külküñ kül azık

Külküñö tuugan men aşık.

Caşagan cakşı turbaybı

Cakşıga cakşı canaşıp.

Kete elekmin ulgayıp

Karap bir koyçu, külüp bir koyçu cılmayıp.

When you laugh, your laughter feeds me,

I am enamoured with your laughter.

Life is so beautiful

When good ones keep together.

Not yet reaching old age,

Just look at me, just laugh and smile!

150

Balkıp (bir) denem süyünöt

(Ce) baldarga boldum men ene.

Conumdu tosup kötörgöm

Cokçuluk değen nemege.

Baktıma menin buyurup

(Ce) baldardı berdi Kudayım.

Baldardı cakşı çoñoytup

Körsöm (bir) dedim ubayın.

My heart feels relieved

I became mother to my children.

I took it on my back and carried

Poverty and misery.

I resigned myself to my fate,

Allah granted me children,

I brought them up for the true path,

I can now see your blessing.

151

Ak kuuga salıp caydım tor

Caraşat senin ceriñ zor.

Kıdırıp kelsem tabılbas, tabılbas,

tabılbas, tabılbas

Kımbatım kırgız aman bol.

Kan cügürgön (de) tamırday

Tatınakay asfalt col.

Örkündöy bersin talantıñ, talantıñ,

talantıñ, talantıñ

Taalayım kırgız aman bol.

I lured the swan into the net,

Similarly to your difficult plight.

No matter where I am, valuable

Kyrgyz people, be in good health!

Like blood running in the veins,

How nice this tarred road is!

May your values multiply,

Kyrgyz people, be in good health!

15248

Ular (bir) baktım tötölöp

Uuldu baktım böpölöp.

Urmatın körör bekembiz,

Uuldun uulun cetelep.

I tamed a wild mountain turkey,

I looked at my son, I reared him.

Shall we live to see, my son,

Your son bring his son to pay tribute?

Kızdardı baktım böpölöp

Kırgıyek baktım tötölöp.

Kızmatın körör bekembiz,

Kızdardın kızın cetelep?

I wondered at the lassies with affections,

I looked at Kirgiyek, I tamed her.

Shall we live to see her serve us,

Her daughter taking her daughter for a walk?

15349

Kırgızdın kımbat tamagı

Kımızga suusun kanabı?

Kızmatın körör beken dep

Kıynalıp baktık balanı?

Ardaktuu kırgız tamagı

Ayranga suusun kanabı?

Akılduu bolor beken dep (biz)

Aldeylep baktık balanı?

Precious food of Kyrgyz people,

Can we ever give up drinking kumiss?

I wonder if our child reared with toil

Will be of great help to us?

Precious Kyrgyz food,

Can we ever give up drinking ayran?

Will our child reared with love

Be clever enough?

15450

Köçköndü kimder baştagan

İçime calın taştagan.

Çöp-çöptün başın uypalap

Cürögüm başın kuykalap.

Küydüm desem tütün cok,

(Ce) cürögümdö bütün cok.

Cürögümdö bütün cok.

Elibiz köçüp cönödü

Egiz51 (bir) Toogo cölöndü.

Elesiñdi men körböy

Emgegiñ tartıp ölömbü?

Kalkım köçüp cönödü

Kara52 (bir) toogo cölöndü.

Kara canım Kalilim

Kaygıñdı tartıp ölömbü?

Who launched this migration

Causing infinite anguish in me?

Smoke covering the plants,

Settling on my heart!

I burnt but no whiff of smoke remained,

Not a single drop remained in my heart,

Not a single drop remained in my heart.

Our people took to the road,

Starting from the İkiz mountain.

Losing your contours from sight,

Dying of sorrow, how can I go on?

My people took to the road,

Starting from the Kara mountain.

The treasure of my heart, my Halil,

I’m dying of yearning after you.

155

Köl da bolso, köl ceeginde sen bolsoñ

Köl ceeginde kök volgaçan men

bolsom.

Keede salıp, keede salbay volgaga

Tamaşalap taştap ketip oynosom.

Köl da bolso, köl ceeginde sen bolsoñ

Köz kaykıtıp kök volgaçan men

bolsom.

Koyçu, koyçu kaysı birin aytayın

Sen suu çaçıp, men kubalap

oynosom.

If there was a lake and you were on its shore,

I’d be in a blue car near the lake.

Sometimes I’d pick you up, sometimes

I wouldn’t,

I’d keep teasing you like this.

If there was a lake and you’d be on its shore,

And I’d be in a gorgeous blue car.

Hey, which of my dreams should I speak

about?

You’d sprinkle water and I’d chase you.

156

Keçüü keçseñ murun keç

Kiyin kalsañ col taygak.

Uuru kılsañ, calgız kıl

Eköö bolso biri aygak.

Coloçu barsañ, sak bolgun

Corgoñdu uuru albasın.

Ölüm çirkin tügötöt

Özgöçö candın argasın…

If you want to cross the pass, start soon,

The rest of the path will be slippery.

If you do something wrong, you do it alone,

One of the two is a traitor.

If you go away, be alert,

Let no thief steal your blanket.

Loathsome death devours you,

Makes you impotent.

157

Ar bir caştın baarında

Cürögündö süyüü bar?

Eki cakka bölünüp

Süyüünün eki türü bar.

Eki cakka bölünüp

Süyüünün eki türü bar.

Birinçisi kişi tübölük

Akırettik dos bolot.

Every young person’s heart

Is full of love

There are two kinds of love

Pointing in two directions.

Those belonging to the first type

Are eternal friends.

The other lasts for a day,

Ends and dissolves in thin air.

158

Çiy barkıttan körpöçöñ

Çıdabaym seni körbösöm.

Çındıgıña cetermin

Çın acal cetip ölbösöm.

Boz atka salgan kol çider

Boştoçudan kat ciber.

Al katıñdan ne payda

Kadırkeç bolsoñ özüñ kel.

E-ey-i-iy

Kadırkeç bolsoñ özüñ kel.

Your saddle cloth is velvet,

I’ll die if I can’t see you.

I’ll get to know the truth,

Whether my last hour has struck.

The grey horse is tethered,

Send a letter with the postman.

What’s the use of the letter,

You’d better come yourself,

Ay, hay,

You’d better come yourself.

159

Barmagım sınıp kayrıldım

Balapan boydon ayrıldım.

Eki birdey çıraktan

Bir zamatta ayrıldım.

Söömöyüm sınıp kayrıldım.

Köz ilinip açkıca

Eki birdey çıraktan

Bir zamatta ayrıldım.

I had much trouble with my broken finger,

I was separated early from my children.

I was thus deprived

Of my two apples of my eye.

I broke my index finger, it hurt,

During my wakefulness

I was suddenly deprived

Of my two fair children.

160

Adırdagı altı ırgay

Altı ırgaydı men kıybay

Aldı aldınan karasam

Altı tülök kırgıyday.

Six shrubs on the mountain top,

I won’t tread on the six shrubs,

While I’m looking up from under,

He is like the mottled falcon dropping its feathers six times.

161

Şır, şır şır eken,

Şırılkandın ırı eken.

Saktaganı sarı may,

Katkanı cupka.

Shoo, shoo, shoo it was.

It was Širilkan’s song.

He hid yellow butter,

He hid strudel dough.

Altay cayda

Şırıldañdın küçü eken.

Küçü bolso müçö eken.

Şırıldañdı aytkan

Ar bir adam işi eken.

For six summer months

The horse-herder’s song had its power.

When it had, it shared out its wealth.

To sing the horse-herder’s song

Is the duty of us all.

16253

Toguz ay boyu kötörüp

Tolgonup kündü ötkörüp.

Tüyşüktü tartıp muñayıp men,

Tün uykumdu tört bölüp.

I carried you in my tummy for nine months,

I lived through strenuous days.

I overcame anxieties,

Sleepless for many a night.

163

Ak buluttun arası

Kızım ataktuu cerdin balası.

Dataluu küngö tuş bolgon

Kızım baktıluu bala karaçı.

Ak tubar şayı capkanbız

Kızımdı ay tiygizbey bakkanbız.

Kök tubar şayı capkanbız

Kızımdı kölökö cerge bakkanbız.

From among white clouds,

From a noble house is my daughter.

We’ve woken up to see a great day,

Look how I’m saying farewell to her.

We erected a white silk tent,

To protect my daughter from the sun.

We erected a blue silk tent,

To rear my daughter in a sheltered place.

164

Toktolboy akın tilim tolkup sayra

*Tolgonup tolkun ömür kelbeyt kayra.

Tüyülgön cürögümdö tereñ sır bar

Tüyünün çeçe turgan teñtuş kayda?

Dagı biröö sırtı suluu, içi dülöy

Bürkölsö tuman baskan aysız tündöy.

Buyurup taalayına kez boluşsa

Boşko kaytat kayran ömür soolgon güldöy.

Flood out my verse uncontrolled,

Life’s surging, never returning.

My heart hides a deep secret,

Which of my friends could pry it open?

A handsome hull, with an empty core,

His voice turns into dark mist.

If destiny should bind me to such a mate,

I would live in vain, like a wilted rose.

165

Salkın cayloo Çoñ-Cargılçak arası

Sap-sap bolot başka-başka salaası.

Adamzattın açıp köönün sergitken

Atır okşoyt eñ bir taza abası.

Ak möñgüdön suular agıp toktogon

Ar cerinde altın bulak köldörü.

Kölün boylop kök şiberin capırıp,

Ösüp atat malıbızdın töldörü.

The cool summer pasture of Čoŋ-J̌argılčak,

All its nooks and corners are of unmatched beauty.

Refreshing, reviving, exhilerating

Is its cool air rich in ozone.

Molten from the white glacier

Its springs nurture its lakes all over.

On the lake shores lawn, green pasture

Feed our multiplying flocks.

166

Öçpöy turgan kasiyeti bar bolso

Cürök kandan boyok kılıp köröyün.

Közdün nuru kerek bolso ayta koy

Karegimden çaçıratıp bereyin.

Ce güldördön casaysınbı külgündöp

Tıyan-Şandın sansız gülün tereyin.

You say her uniqueness is eternal,

I’ll give my heart’s blood for paint.

I’ll add the lustre of my eyes if needed,

Just tell me that I should emit my light.

But if you want to decorate her with flowers,

I’ll gather all the flowers of the Tien-Šan.

16754

Sagat törttön otuz münöt ötköndö

Baykasam men Süydümgö kelgenmin.

İliktirler cım-cım etip cagılgan

Kazarmadan saldat çıgıp cabılgan.

Tırıbok menen turgan eken saldattar

Rota menen ötüp turdu canımdan.

Mañdayında küyüp turat eki şam

Asmanga uçat ayagınan çıkkan çañ.

It was four thirty

If I remember well, when I got to Süydöm

The lights were on,

Troops started out of the barracks.

Soldiers all in arms

Passed me in groups.

Two torches shone across from me,

The feet stirred a cloud of dust.

168

Ay nuru cerge tögüldü

İniler aççı köñüldü.

Ardaktap cürüp ötkülö (al)

Aldıda turgan ömürdü.

Kün nuru cerge tögüldü

Ceñeler aççı köñüldü.

Güldöp (dele) cürüp ötkülö (al)

Gülgündöy caştık ömürdü….

Moonlight has flooded the earth,

Let us, brothers, raise our spirits.

May you live the rest of your lives

Aware of life’s value!

Sunlight has flooded the earth

Le tus, young wives, raise our spirits.

May your youth of rosy beauty

Be spent laughing and dancing!

169

Sarı-Oydun salkın toosunan

Sagızgan uçat zoosunan.

Sanaaga saldıñ kanteyin?

Kanteyin, körö albay koydum

ordunan.

Kök-Oydun körköm toosunan

Kögüçkön uçat zoosunan.

Köp oygo saldıñ kanteyin?

Kanteyin, körö albay koydum

ordunan.

From the rock of the cool mountain

Of Sarı Oy a magpie’s flying off.

You’ve saddened me, what can I do?

What shall I do, I haven’t seen you.

From the rock of the gorgeous mountain

Of Kök-Oy a pigeon’s flying off.

You’ve plunged me into grief, what can I do?

What shall I do, I haven’t seen you.

170

Caydın bir gana toluk kezinde,

Adırluu toonun betinde,

San güldön tandap birdi üzgön

Caydarı gana selki esimde.

İ-i-i-iy, i-i-iy esimde.

Esimde baarı andagı,

Agarıp atkan tañ dagı.

Özüñdöy bolso azırkı

Caştardın süyüp alganı.

In summer, around its middle,

On top of a hilly mountain.

A merry lass comes to my mind,

She was picking mottled flowers.

Ay-hoy, comes to my mind.

I remember that time clearly,

Even the first glimmer of dawn.

I wish the beloved spouses of today’s young

Would resemble you, too!

171

Aldey, aldey ak böpöm

Ak beşikke cat böpöm.

Ata-eneñdi kıynaba

Ötö katuu ıylaba.

Sleep, sleep, my white baby,

Lie in the white cradle, baby,

Don’t disturb your mum and dad

Howling and squalling.

172

Aldey, aldey, ak beşik

Ak beşikke cat, beşik

Apañ işten kaytkança

Balam, uykudasıñ, cat, beşik.

Sleep, sleep, white cradle,

In a white cradle, lie [in] a cradle,

When your mum returns from work

You’ll be asleep, baby, lie [in] a cradle.

Sarı, sarı sal, bilek

Sarı mayga mal, bilek

Kunan koydu soy, bilek

Balam, kuyruğuna toy, bilek.

Blond, blond, start, my baby,

Dip it into yellow butter, baby,

Kill a three-year-old lamb, baby,

Eat your fill on its tail, baby!

173

Cayloodun toluk ubagı

Caykalgan şiber tulañı.

Güldögön bette cayılgan

Gülcandın kozu ulagı.

Mingeniñ tulpar torudan

Kiygeniñ cibek sonundan.

Kaytarganıñ koy-eçki

(Emese), Kalbanın biyik boorunan.

In the nice time of the summer pasture

Its grass is swaying.

In its meadows full of flowers

Gülǰan’s lamb and kid are grazing.

Your mount is a noble steed,

Your costume is beautiful silk,

You are tending sheep and goats

Among the high mountains of Kalba.

174

Ayırbay da közdü irimden

Çabaktı ele tikteym kiringen.

Karmaymın a seni akırın

Karmaymın a miñdin birinen.

I can’t take my eyes off, I’m watching

The fish playing in the whirlpool.

I’m going to fish you out carefully,

I’m going to catch you from among a

thousand and one.

175

Bilegiñ cazdap moynuña

Birge da catsam koynuña.

Sürböğön tañdın erkibi

(Degi) Süylöşsök arkı berkini.

Eşke bir çıksam erigem

Üygö bir kirsem zerigem.

Cürögüm süygön bozoygo

Men kaysıl künü kezigem?

Twining my arms around your neck

I wish I could lie in your lap.

Until the day breaks at dawn

We would talk and talk.

When I go out, I get bored,

At home I’m in despair.

When will I find a lad

I can love with all my heart?

176

Attanıp çıksam columdan

Tiysen (bir) menin koluma.

Iraazımın Allaga

Basıp (bir) catsam booruma.

Kaltar (bir) tülkü sen bolsoñ

Karala barçın men bolsom.

Adırdı aşıp sen barsañ da

Aldıñdan tosup men konsom.

I set off on horseback,

I wish I could get hold of you!

I shall accept God’s will,

If I can rest my head on your bosom.

You’d be the black fox,

I’d be the pied eagle.

You’d come from over the mountains,

So we could meet halfways.

177

Kümüştü kümüş asırabaybı?

Kümüştön türlü buyum casalbaybı?

Isn’t silver nurtured by silver?

Aren’t all sorts of things made from silver?

Kümüştöy össö keliniñ, uuluñ

Bul kaynene, kaynata

Kününö caşarbaybı?

Ayına caşarbaybı?

When lasses, lads grow to be silvery,

Don’t their mothers- and fathers-in-law

Get younger day by day,

Get younger month by month?

178

Elibiz caylayt köçmöndüü

El caktırbayt köpköndü.

Kalkıbız caylayt köçmöndüü

Kalk caktırbayt köpköndü.

Kantkende esten çıgaram

Keçee kan tögülgön kündördü?

Kara-Balta Üç-Kayıñ

Çöp çıgat say sayın.

Our village’s a flourishing nomadic place,

Our village doesn’t like those who are proud.

Our people are flourishing nomads

Our people don’t like those who are proud.

How could I forget

The bloodshed of yesterday?

Kara Balta, Üč –Kayin

Green grass is growing in the river bed.

179

Cagalmayday kaykıp uçup bara albay,

Caş cürökkö cagarların taba albay

Eç bolboso sen konuuçu tokoygo,

Canım seket caya albadım torumdu.

Mınça nege tülkü kuumay oynottuñ

Aytçı degi anık bele süygönüñ….

Like the gliding flight of the falcon,

Not finding repose in a youthful heart,

I wish you’d settle in the forest,

Darling, my dear, I haven’t been able to stretch my net yet.

Why have you confused me so much,

Tell me: did you love me truly?

180

Kızımdın kökülünö kök monçok takkanbız

Kölökö cerge bakkanbız.

Saamayına monçok takkanbız

Kızımdı salkın (bir) cerge bakkanbız.

Kızımdı karçıga kuştay taptap al

Kızımdı cakşı bir kılıp barktap al.

Kızımdı ak uçuk berdim saptap al

Ak şumkar berdim taptap al.

We threaded pearls in my daughter’s bang,

We reared her in shady sheltered places.

We threaded pearls in her locks and tress,

We reared my daughter in cool places.

You train my daughter like a falcon,

You know my daughter very well.

I’ve given you white yarn, you thread it in the needle,

I’ve given you a white falcon, you train it.

18155

Ak sandıktan but ketti

Ay, kızıke, uşul (bir) üydön kut ketti.

Kök sandıktan but ketti

Kızıke, sen küyöögö ketkende

Uşul üydön kut ketti.

Cayloonun başı teptegiz

Cayloogo bakkan mal semiz.

Caş kezüñde oynop kül

Canım, calbarsañ kelbeyt on segiz.

Köykölüp catkan kök şiber.

A leg of your white chest’s broken.

Your wedded daughter moved out of that house.

One leg of your blue chest’s broken,

Your wedded daughter moved to her groom.

The blessing moved out of this house.

Flat is the top of a summer pasture,

The livestock’s fat on the summer pasture,

Dance and laugh when you are young.

My dear, no use begging, you won’t be eighteen again.

The meadow’s green, the grass is sprouting,

Köynökçön catsañ et küyör.

Köp ele ısık bolboylu

Körüşpöy ketsek iç küyör,

Körüşpöy ketsek iç küyör.

If you lie out in a shirt, you’ll be roasted.

Let’s not be too close to each other,

If we don’t meet, we’ll burn out inside.

If we don’t meet, we’ll burn out inside.

182

Aldey, aldey, aldey, ak böbök

Ak beşikke, ak beşikke cat, böbök.

Apañ işten kelgençe,

Apañ işten kelgençe,

Uyku daamın tat, böbök.

Tat böbök, tat böbök!

Iylaba, ıylaba

Aldey ay, aldey ay

Ata-eneñdi kıynaba, kıynaba.

Aldey ay, aldey ay,

Ata-eneñdi kıynaba.

Sleep, sleeep, sleeep, white babe,

Lie in a white crib, white cradle, babe!

Till your mother gets home,

Till your mother gets home

Have a good night’s sleep, babe.

Softly, baby, softly, babe!

Don’t cry, don’t cry,

Sleep, ay, sleep ay,

Don’t make it hard for your paternal granny.

Sleep, ay, sleep ay,

Don’t make it hard for your paternal granny!

18356

Soñ-Köldün başı tal menen

Soodager ötöt mal menen.

Solkuldap ıylap baratam

(Men) soolugan Cantay çal menen.

Keñ-Koldun başı tal menen

Kerbender ötöt mal menen.

Keyişte ketip baratam

(Men) kemşeygen Cantay çal menen.

The magistrate of Son-Köl with a coffin,

Merchants with caravans.

I am weeping in loud sobs

Wilted ǰantay has grown stupid.

The magistrate of Ken-Kol with a coffin,

Caravans with merchandise.

I am going, weeping bitterly

Old ǰantay has grown stupid.

184

Kırgızdın toosu Tiyan-Şan

Ar cagın tegiz gül çalgan.

Oşo bir güldöy güldösök

Eki caşta ne arman!

Bir tursam sen dedim

Başkaga köñül berbedim.

Balalık kılıp ketpeçi,

Balapan kuştay ermeğim!

Tien Šan is the mountain of the Kyrgyz people,

All its sides are covered with flowers.

Let’s blossom out like they do,

How lucky we are, two young people!

I’ve always dreamed of you,

I never took note of anyone else.

Don’t be silly, do not leave,

My only one, my nestling!

185

Tektirge çıkkan buudaydı

Teñseltip şamal ırgaydı.

Degele canga bir ölüm

Teñtuştar oynop cırgaylı.

The wheat has shot up high,

It’s swaying with the wind.

Death catches everything that lives,

My friends, let’s keep making merry!

Kurbuga çıkkan buudaydı

Kulpuntup şamal ırgaydı.

Kuuragan canga bir ölüm

Kurdaştar oynop cırgaylı!

Wheat that’s shot up from a small clog

Is swaying with the wind.

The poor people are caught by death,

My fellows, let’s keep making merry!

186

Aldey, aldey ak böpöm,

Ak beşikke cat, böpöm.

Eneñ işten kelgençe

Uyku daamın tat, böpöm.

Sleep, sleep, my innocent babe,

Lie in a white cradle, my babe.

Until mummy returns from work,

Sleep nicely, my little babe.

187

Aldey, aldey, ak böpöm,

Ak beşikke cat böpöm.

Aldey, balam, uktaçı,

Enekeñdi kıynabay.

Aldey, balam, ıylaba,

Enekeñdi kıynaba.

Sleep, sleep, my innocent babe,

Lie in a white cradle, my babe.

Sleep, baby, sleep!

Don’t exhaust your mummy.

Sleep, my baby, sleep,

Don’t exhaust your mummy.

188

Teñtuşum, Bake, amanbı?

Sizge (go) cazdım salamdı.

Kat cüzünön süylöşüp (iy)

Aytışpadık armandı.

Artta kalgan agayın

Ar cerde tarap sandaldı.

Birden aytıp saga zamanda

Bilesiñ (oy) kim kaldı (ey)?

My friend Bake, are you well?

I’m sending you my greetings.

Being in touch only through letters

I couldn’t tell you about my trouble.

My kinfolk I left behind

Got scattered and exiled.

Could you tell me sometime

Who of my acquaintances are still alive?

189

Serkenin mayın aşadım

Seksenge çıga caşadım

Toktunun57 mayın aşadım

Toksongo çıga caşadım.

Naarazı bolboym calganga

Nasibim kalsın baldarga.

Iraazı bolom calganga

Irısım kalsın baldarga.

I have eaten goat fat,

I lived for eighty years.

I’ve eaten yearling fat,

I lived for ninety years.

I bear no grudge against this false world,

Let the children also have my share.

I accept this false world as it is,

Let the children have my nourishment!

190

Sal, sal, sal, bilek

Sarı mayga mal, bilek…

*Kunan koydu soy, bilek

Kuyruguna toy, bilek.

Come on, come on, baby!

Sink it into yellow butter, baby!

Kill a three-year-old lamb, baby!

Eat your fill of its tail, baby!

191

Ubagım ötüp ketkenin,

(Al) oylonboy cürgön ekemin.

Ubagım kayda dep cürsöm

(Al) uulga bergen ekemin.

It takes me unawares

That time has slipped away,

When I ask where it’s gone,

Verily, I’ve given it to my son.

Kezegim ötüp ketkenin,

Men keyibey cürgön ekemin.

Kezegim kayda dep cürsöm

Kelinge bergen ekemin.

It was already my turn earlier,

But I failed to notice it.

I’ve given it to my daughter-in-law,

And I didn’t even notice it.

192

Kıl akkanday kıyalap

Cılkı aydap ışkırıp, tak.

Kıya cerge kargaday

Sen da aldıñ ışkırıp, tak.

Koyçulardın koñur küü

Koşup aytıp salkındap.

Cılkıçının ırı eken

Şır-şır-şır-şır şıñıldak, tak.

Ay, ay, ay kelin, oy, oy, oy kelin.

Like a feather’s circling down from the

hilltop,

Horses are driven down with a whistle,

gee-ho.

Like a crow waiting in the crevice,

You also whistled, gee-ho!

It was the shepherds’ song,

Improvised in a cool place.

It was the horse wranglers’ song,

Trallala, trallala, horse wranglers’ song,

gee-ho!

19358

Kezigip cıldardın bir cıldarında,

Kayırsız aylardın bir aylarında.

Kaydadır alıp ketip caştıgımdı,

Karılık tuzağına bayladıñ da.

We met in some of the years,

In one of the unblessed months.

You snatched away my youth

You trapped me in old age.

194

Ulam, ulam ukkum kelet sözüñdü

Uulcanday baldan şirin sözüñdü.

Ubarañdı tartıp cüröm ne kılam?

Ubayımga saldıñ menin özümdü.

Kayra, kayra körgüm kelet özüñdü

Karagattay cangan kara közüñdü.

Kaysı künü koldon karmap aytamın

Cürögümdö bek saktalgan sözümdü.

I want to hear your voice again and again,

Your honey-sweet words finer than herbs.

You are the cause of my suffering, what shall I do?

You have abandoned me.

I keep yearning to see

Your olive black eyes, alas!

When will the day come when taking your hand in mine

I can tell you the word hidden in my heart?

195

Adamga azkenekey ömür bergen

Düynögö men namıska askım kelgen.

Caşoodo cantalaşıp dalbas urup

Bir künü cay tababız kara cerden.

Düynödö bügün caşaym, ömür süröm

Kim bilet erteñkisin nak iş kümön.

Oydo cok oynop-külüp turgan kezde

Şum acal alıp keter katıp cügön.

Man’s granted a brief span of life

To live in this world decently.

While running after a bit more life,

We all find our place in the black earth.

Today I’m still here, I’m alive,

But who knows what will be tomorrow,

In the midst of gaiety the breath gets lost,

Fate comes and takes you in its boat.

196

Aşuusun aşıp Kemindin

Kileygen gana (bir) töştü59 kemirdim.

San üydün da için da karalap men

O koyçu,

Suluusun gana taptım kelindin.

E-i-iy, i-iy, i-iy…

Crossing the mountains of Kemin

I would’ve eaten its huge breast.

I’d looked into numberless houses,

Oh shepherd,

When I found the most beautiful woman.

Ay-hoy

197

Kat cazdım cön men koydum kol,

Barar (bir) ceriñ Aydıñ-Köl,

Ölbösöm kayta kelermin,

Kaygırba canım aman bol.

Kaygırgan menen ayla cok

Kaygırgan bizdey kayda cok.

Kükük bir menen zeyneptey60

Ayrılgan bizdey kayda cok.

I’ve written a letter, I signed it,

You went to Aydin-Köl,

Unless I die, I will return,

Don’t brood, my dear, stay in good health!

However I brood, there is no remedy,

There are sad people like us everywhere,

Like the cuckoo, like the zeynep bird,

People part with their loves everywhere.

198

Aldey, aldey, ak böpöm!

Ak beşikke cat, böpöm.

Aldey, aldey, ak böpöm

Ak beşikke cat, böpöm.

Kagılayın karaldım

Kunan koydu soy, böpöm.

Kuyruguna toy, böpöm.

Aldey, aldey, ak böpöm!

Sleep, sleep, my white baby,

Lie in a white cradle baby!

Sleep, sleep, my white baby,

Lie in a white cradle baby!

Don’t make me sad, darling,

Kill a three-year-old lamb, baby,

Eat your fill of its tail, baby!

Sleep, sleep, my white baby!

19961

Karargan toonun eteği

Kayrılıp tuman ketebi?

Karaanıñdan Altınay

Kakşasam ünüm cetebi?

Kızargan toonun eteği

Kızarıp tuman ketebi?

Kılıgıñdan Altınay

Kakşasam ünüm cetebi?

Will the smoke wrapping the side

Of the black mountain vanish?

My supporter, Altinay,

Will my calling voice reach you?

Will the smoke covering the side

Of the Red mountain vanish?

Will you hear it, Altinay,

When your behavior makes me cry?

200

Cagalmay ötkön darakka

Cagalmay cemin ilbeybi?

Candatıp aytkan bir sözdü

Caş adam özü bilbeybi?

A grey hawk has lighted on the branch,

Won’t the grey hawk breach its vow?

Can’t a young man understand

What is merely hinted at?

20162

Bazarbaydın Tölögön

Mingen atı Kökdödön.

Seksen cigit koşko alıp

Beş cigiti boş kalıp,

Ak-Cayık közdöy cönögön.

Bazarbay’s son is Törlögön

His mount is Kökdödön.

He took eighty warriors with him,

Leaving five lads behind,

He started for Ak-ǰayik.

202

Arpanın başı Korgon-Taş

Ayagınan kel Otoo-Taş

Ay sayın cırgap cürüügö

Arak bir içpey bolgon mas.

Ayıl go senin tamaşañ

Artıkça cırgal oñgon caş.

Bel Kara-Suuñ, Ak-Beyit

Bek sanaymın köp keyip.

The barley sprouts in Korgon-Taš (month)

It ripens in the month of Otoo-Taš.

We had a good time in every month,

Intoxicated without alcohol.

In the plain your amusement

Is the time of your beautiful youth.

Bel Kara-Suu, Ak Beyit63

I remember you with longing.

203

Atalap balañ ıylasa

Ar kanday sözgö kıynasa.

Akılduu bolup çoñoyup

Atasın bala sıylasa.

Enelep balañ ıylasa

Ebi cok cerden kıynasa.

Estüü bolup çoñoyup

Enesin bala sıylasa.

Father! If your child cries like this to you,

If he makes you utter all kinds of words,

Bring him up to be clever,

To respect his father.

Mother! If your child cries like this,

If he makes you do thing you wouldn’t do,

Teach him to show compassion,

To respect his mother.

204

Erkelikke cetkirbey

Malga sattı oy-day.

Köz caşıma karabay

Çalga sattı oy-day.

He ignored my finicking,

He sold me off, alas oh,

He ignored my sobs and tears,

He married me off to an old man, oh!

205

Aldey, aldey, aldey, böpöm

Apañ ketti cumuşka.

Apañ kelgençe iylabagın

Aldey böpöm, aldey böpöm.

Sleep, sleep, sleep my babe,

Your mother’s gone to work,

Don’t cry till your mother comes home.

Sleep, baby, sleep, my babe.

206

Men elime cazdım salamdı

Eñsegen elim da amanbı?

Egem Taala buyurup men

(Men) elime esen barambı?

El içine cazayın momintip,

Mendegi bolgon kabardı.

Elimde birge oynogon

Teñtuşka aytam salamdı.

I’ve sent my greetings to my people,

Are you in good health, my longed-for people?

If the Almighty God should order it,

How shall I write to my people?

I would then write down

The news that is about me.

May I greet my peers

Who used to play with me at home!

207

Kılımdan kılım eskerip,

Kırgızdın kıraan şerlerin.

Ar dayım esten çıgarbayt

Altın çöyçök At-Başım

Ak kalpak64 kırgız elderin.

Many generations won’t forget

The most valiant Kyrgyz champions,

There is no way to forget

At-Baši which is like a golden cup,

The Kyrgyz people with the white hat.

Caraşpaybı maktasam

Malga cayluu cer bolgon?

Baarı sonun kelişken

Irıskısı çuburgan,

Intımaktuu kırgız el.

Isn’t it proper to praise

My land abounding in animals?

All are nice to look at,

All have an abundance of food,

The Kyrgyz people are flexible.

208

Agarıp sakal çaç kaldı,

Akılım ketip baş kaldı.

Ardaktap sıylay turgula

Azıraak ömür caş kaldı.

Azıraak ömür caş kaldı.

Bulbulday mukam ündü aldı

Buldurap kızıl til kaldı.

Buşayman kılbay sıylay tur, baldar,

Bolcolubuz az kaldı.

Bolcolubuz az kaldı.

Kur ele kayrat söz kaldı,

Kubatı ketip köz kaldı.

Kadırlap sıylay turgula, baldar,

Kamgaktay uşçu caş kaldı.

Kamgaktay uşçu caş kaldı.

Muun oorup, aksap but kaldı,

Bulçuñdan kubat küçtü aldı.

Meymandap sıylay turgula

Möönötübüz az kaldı.

Möönötübüz az kaldı.

Eñkeyip alsız bel kaldı,

Eegimden appak tişti aldı.

Es-akıl menen sıylay tur

Ebelek çöptöy caş kaldı.

Ebelek çöptöy caş kaldı.

Karuusu ketip kol kaldı,

Kargıldanıp ün kaldı.

Kabatır kılbay sıylay tur

Kaytuuçu colgo az kaldı.

Kabatır kılbay sıylay tur baldar,

Kaytuuçu colgo az kaldı.

Cetimiş aşıp caş bardı,

Birge öskön kurbum az kaldı.

Cakşılap kuştay turgula, baldar,

Caşoonun çegi az kaldı.

I still have my grey beard and hair,

I still have my brainless head.

Don’t stop respecting me,

I still have a little life left.

I still have a little life left.

My lark’s voice is gone,

My tongue is made unintelligible.

You may safely show respect,

I have probably little time left,

I have probably little time left.

I still have a few empty words,

I have my poor eyesight left.

Respect me, children, with dignity,

I have a plant-like life left,

I have a plant-like life left.

I still have legs with hurting joints,

I have muscles whose strength is gone.

Give me a treat, children,

We have little time left,

We have little time left.

I have a waist that hardly bends,

My mouth is suddenly without teeth.

Show me reasonable respect,

I have years like dry leaves left!

I have years like dry leaves left!

I have my tired, ill arms left,

I have my stuttering voice left,

Respect me, children, without anger,

There’s little left till the return,

Respect me without anger, children,

There’s little left till the return.

My age is over seventy,

There are hardly any of my peers left.

Show respect, children,

I have little left till the end of my life.

Seksendi tayap caş bardı

Teñ öskön kurbum az kaldı.

Sagıntpay kelip turgula, baldar,

Saparım cakın az kaldı.

Ulgaydım köñül burgula

Urmattap sıylay turgula.

Uzak col tartar kez keldi

Uçurap ketip turgula.

Kartaydım köñül burgula

Kadırlap sıylay turgula.

Kayta turgan kez keldi

Kabarlaşıp turgula.

Years going on eighty are left,

Few of my generation are still here,

Don’t make me wait, children, come,

My vehicle is about to start, little is left.

I’ve grown old, listen,

Don’t begrudge me your respect.

I am starting on a long road,

Drop in to see me often.

I’ve grown very old, listen,

Don’t begrudge me your affection.

My hour has struck, children,

Don’t leave me without news!

20965

Kızıl kızıl kozunun

Körpösü elem oyday.

Kız da bolsom bir üydün

Erkesi elem oyday.

Erkelike koybodu

Çalga sattı oyday.

Kalıñ malga kızıgıp

Malga sattı oyday.

Reddish brown little lamb,

I was its wool, ay, hey!

Had I been a maiden,

I’d be finicky, ay-hey!

He didn’t bother about finicking,

He gave me to an old man, ay-hey.

His interest was the money he got for me,

He sold me off, ay-hey.

210

Koroo başı çoñ koktu

Oylonup cürök köp soktu.

Keçigesiñ kelbeysiñ

Oyuñda takır men cokpu?

Kök-Oydu şamal aydadı

Köñüldü selki bayladı.

Kök-Oydo beken bizdin el

Körünöt beken taş, bagı?

A deep brook’s before the pen,

The heart sinks into sorrow,

You are late, maybe you don’t come,

Or perhaps you’ve forgotten me?

A north wind was blowing in Kök-Oy,

My heart was stolen by a fair lass.

Was Kök-Oy our homeland?

Can you still see its rock, its garden?

211

Cayloogo çıktım ermekke

Cayloonun gülün termekke.

Cayloonun gülü darı deyt

Ooruluu cürgön cürökkö.

Kıştoogo çıktım ermekke

Kıştoonun gülün termekke.

Kıştoonun gülü darı deyt

Kıynalıp cürgön cürökkö.

I went up the summer pasture to have a good time,

To pick flowers growing on the summer pasture,

Flowers of the summer pasture are remedy

To an aching heart.

I went to the winter camp to have a good time,

To pick the flowers of the winter camp.

The flower of the winter camp is remedy

To a yearning heart.

212

Altından senin biyalañ

Ay çıgadı kıyadan.

Ayda aylıña baruuga senin

Alganıñdan uyalam.

Kümüştön senin biyalañ

Kün çıgadı kıyadan.

Kündö aylıña baruuga senin

Küyövüñdön uyalam.

Your cup is made of gold,

The moon’s rising behind the mountain.

To go monthly to your village –

I’m afraid of your husband.

Your cup’s made of silver,

The sun’s rising behind the mountain.

To go daily to your village –

I’m afraid of your husband.

213

Altından söykö tagıp al

Kızımdı ay tiygizbey bagıp al.

Kümüştön söykö tagıp al

Kızımdı kün tiygizbey bagıp al.

Kümüştön söykö tagıp al.

Kızımdı kün tiygizbey bagıp al.

Altından söykö tagıp al

Kızımdı ay tiygizbey bagıp al.

Put ear-rings made of gold in her ears,

Behold my daughter who can’t be touched by the Moon,

Put ear-rings made of silver into her ears,

Behold my daughter who can’t be touched by the Sun.

Put ear-rings made of silver into her ears,

Behold my daughter who can’t be touched by the Sun.

Put ear-rings made of gold in her ears,

Behold my daughter who can’t be touched by the Moon.

214

Ömürdün ötüp ketkenin

(Al) oylonboy cürgön ekenmin

Ubagım kayda dep cürsöm

(Al) uulga bergen ekemin.

*Kezegim ötüp ketkenin

Men keyibey cürgön ekemin

Kezegim kayda dep cürsöm

Kelinge bergen ekemin.

I didn’t even notice

That life’s come to its end.

If I ask where my life’s gone

Sure enough, I’ve given it to my son.

My turn is long over,

I didn’t even notice it.

If I ask when it is my turn,

Sure enough, I’ve given it to my daughter-in-law.

21566

Soñ-Köldün başı sal menen

Soodager ötöt mal menen.

Solkuldap ıylap baratam

Solugan Cantay çal menen

Solugan Cantay çal menen.

The leader of Son-Köl’s in the coffin,

Merchants are progressing with their goods.

I am going along sobbing

With aged ǰantay,

With aged ǰantay.

216

Kılçayıp arttı karasam,

Elesteyt közgö bala çak.

Sıymıktanıp kubansak da

Barlıgı bizge caraşat.

If I look back,

I remember my childhood.

We take pride and we rejoice,

This journey suits us.

217

Kök-Oydu şamal aydadı

Köñüldü selki bayladı.

Kök-Oydo beken bizdin el?

(Degi) körünöt beken taş, bagı?

Sarı-Oydu şamal aydadı

Sanaanı selki bayladı.

Sarı-Oydo beken bizdin el

(Degi) sagınat beken ey taş, bagı.

A north wind was blowing in Kök-Oy,

My heart was stolen by a fair lass.

Was our home in Kök-Oy?

Can its rock, its garden still be seen?

A north wind was blowing in Sari-Oy,

A fair lass has driven me out of my mind.

Was our home indeed in Sari-Oy?

Are we missed by its rock, its garden?

218

Seyildep barıp suu boylop,

Karmaymın çabak dep oylop.

Baratsam suunun dabışı

Çertkensiyt Tokom küü tolgop.

I started along the river bank

Happily to catch fish.

Suddenly I heard the splashing of water,

As if it were the music of my Toko.67

219

Bir künü tursam keçinde

Tigi Çayektin arkı çetinde.

Poçtoçu kelip kat berdi

Adres bar betinde.

Başkalar menen işim cok

Anda baldarım turgan esimde.

Aça salıp karasam anda,

Ardagım degen söz turat.

One night I was sitting

On the other side of Čayek.

The postman came, bringing a letter,

The sender was on the envelope.

I don’t bother about others,

I’m thinking of my children.

When I opened it,

The salutation was: My darling.

220

Ak kayıñ tübü batkaktır

Ak maral cünün taştaptır.

Ak maralday kerilgen

Ayaşım68 oyun baştaptır.

Kök kayıñ tübü batkaktır

Kök maral cünün taştaptır.

Kök maral sınduu kerilgen

Koşunam oyun baştaptır.

The foot of the white poplar is marshy,

The hair of the white stag’s been lost.

With the build of the white stag,

My friend’s spouse started a game.

The foot of the blue poplar is marshy,

The blue stag was losing its hair.

Having the build of a blue stag,

My neighbour started a game.

221

Al kezde sen da caşsın, men da caşmın

Üy kılıp oynoçu elek taştın astın.

Kez-kezde keñeş kılıp aytar eleñ

Kempiri konoktoyt dep abışkasın.

Kagazga nandı tuurap mayda-mayda,

Okşotup bötölködö suunu çayga,

Çaynektin kapkagına kuyup berip,

İçkin dep aytar eleñ kayra-kayra.

You and I were both young then,

We were building a house of golden pebbles.

Sometimes you would say for fun,

You’d feed your hubby as his wife.

You sliced bread on some paper,

With water in a glass as if it was tea,

You handed it in the lid of the kettle,

Drink! you would say with resolve.

222

Örgö ele çıksan kaynene

Öbök da bolot al dele.

Barkına cetip iş kılsañ

Cölök da bolot al dele.

Uy saalıp, sütüñ caylanuu,

Nan bışıp, çayıñ kaynaluu.

Bolbogon cerden çır çıgıp

Ketirdiñ dalay aylanı.

When you’re going uphill, your mother-in-law

Will be helpful to you.

If you do your work thoughtfully,

You’ll have her as your supporter.

Your cow will be milked, there’s your milk,

Your bread will be baked, your tea’s ready.

If you don’t quarrel unnecessarily,

You will stop a dispute in time.

223

Kelişimdüü kelincan69

Kem körböymün uulumdan.

Carı bolgon balama

Canday ısık cuurulgan.

Canday ısık cuurulgan.

*Elge ıymanduu kelin bol!

Menin soolgus kölüm bol!

Cumuş kılsam kolum bol!

Saparga çıksam colum bol!

Saparga çıksam colum bol!

My dear daughter-in-law,

You are worthy of my son,

You’ve become my child’s lover,

You’re kneaded from a hot soul,

You are kneaded from a hot soul.

Be a young wife who respects people!

Be my rose that never withers!

Be my hand that does the chores!

When I set out, be my road!

When I set out, be my road!

224

Sozula tartıp kün çıksa

Soñ-Köldün cayık talaası.

Oylogon oygo cetpese

Sargarat adam balası.

Köl boyunda kaz turat

Köñüldü şaytan azgırat.

Al şaytanga kirişsek

Kimibizdi ant urat?

When the sun rises slowly

Over the wide plain of Soη-Köl

Does a man feel sad

If he can’t achieve his goal?

A goose’s standing on the lakeside,

Satan is inciting my heart.

If we yield to that devil

Whose vow will be hit back?

225

Abası salkın kölökö.

Sen köñülüñ burbasañ

Men burbaymın bölökkö.

Caydın bir künü şar akkan

Canımdan akkan bulağım.

Caş ekende oynogon

Caş buradar ınagım.

Kıştın künü kök kaşka

Kıyadan akkan bulağım

Kız ekende koşulgan

(Anan) kız buradar ınagım.

*Kulagıñda iymegiñ

Kulpurat senin kiygeniñ

Kuçaktap bir gün çatsam dep

(Anan) kusadar bolup cürömün.

[You are like] Crisp air and shades,

No one can steal your heart,

Nobody else can win it.

In summer time my ample spring

Gurgling by my side.

Whom I got to know in her maidenhood,

My old friend, my darling.

In winter days my fountain

Gushing forth in a paper-dry valley.

My girlfriend, my darling

Whom I got to know in my maidenhood.

Your earrings in your ears,

Your costume is colourful.

If only we could spend a night

Embracing each other.

226

Kelepten içke bilegiñ

Kelebi kabıl tilegim?

Buta atım cerden burkurayt

Atır cıttuu ilebiñ.

Atır cıttuu ilebiñ.

Your wrist is thinner than a thread,

Will you accept my proposal?

One can smell from afar

Your wonderful fragrance,

Your wonderful fragrance.

22770

A kagılayın karaldım

Altından beşik ırgap öt.

Alganıñ menen cırgap öt.

Kümüştön beşik ırgap öt

Karaldım,

Küyövüñ menen cırgap öt.

Sagızganga cem berdim

O kagılayın kulunum

Sagınganda men keldim.

O kagılayın

Atadan kalgan calgızım

Senin azabıñı tartıp

I love you, my dear,

May your rocking crib be of gold.

May you be happy with your spouse,

May your rocking crib be of silver!

Darling,

May you be happy with your husband!

I’ve given food to the magpie,

She is my precious dear!

I missed her so I’ve come to see her.

I love you, my dear,

You’re the only one your father left behind,

I miss you all the time.

228

Aldey, aldey, ak böpöm

Ak beşikke cat, böpöm.

Iylaba, böpöm, ıylaba,

Apakeñ canın kıynaba.

Atakeñ toygo ketiptir

Çöntögü tolgon et kelet.

Apakeñ toygo ketiptir

Emçegi tolgon süt kelet

Aldey, aldey, ak böpöm.

Sleep, sleep, my white baby,

Lie in a white cradle, baby

Don’t cry, little baby, don’t cry,

Don’t make it hard for your granny!

Your daddy’s gone to a wedding,

He is coming with pocketfuls of meat.

Your mummy’s gone to a wedding,

She is coming with breasts bursting with milk.

Sleep, little one, sleep.

229

Eskerme cazam ır başı

Esiñe alsan eñ cakşı!

Esiñe albay sen koysoñ

Talaada kalar söz başı.

Balalık ötüp keterin

(Al) baykabay kalgan ekemin

Balalık kezdi ötkörüp

Baş çatıp kalgan kezegim.

I begin the poem from memory,

It’s great if you remember it!

If you don’t remember,

I began it in vain.

I didn’t notice

That my childhood was over.

When it was over,

I regretted it.

230

Tün menen coyloy baskanda

Tülkülör tüşöt kapkanga.

Tün eken dep er cigit,

Maksatıñdan cazganba.

Hey, the foxes sneaking round at night

Get caught in the trap.

At night, gallant young man,

Do not miss your target!

Tün eken dep er cigit

Maksatıñdan cazganba.

Sen askada too kiyik

Cete albadım zoo biyik.

At night, gallant young man,

Do not miss your target!

You chamois living on the rocks,

I can’t catch up with you, the mountain’s large.

231

Aldey, aldey, ak böbök,

Apañ toygo ketken.

Emçegi menen süt kelet.

Aldey, aldey, ak böbök,

Atañ toygo ketken,

Kesesi menen bir et kelet.

Sleep, sleep, white baby,

Your mother’s gone to a wedding.

She’s coming with breasts bursting with milk.

Sleep, sleep white baby,

Your father’s gone to a wedding,

He is coming with a sackful of meat.

232

Kökölöp uçkan ılaaçın

Ilaaçın cayat kulaçın.

Irdabay kantip koyoyun

Kızdarımdın kubançın.

The falcon rising into the skies

Stretches its wings wide.

I cannot help singing loud

The pride I take in my children.

233

Bekbekey aştı, bel aştı

Beline belboo caraştı.

Saksakay aştı, say aştı

Sanına saadak caraştı

Aldey, aldey, aldey.

Bekbekey went beyond the mountain,

The belt fitted his waist well.

Saksakay went beyond the valley,

The quiver fitted his side well.

Sleep, sleep, sleep.

234

Ubagım ötüp ketkenin

Men de oylonboy cürgön ekemin.

Ubagım kayda dep cürsöm

Çirkin uulga bergen ekemin.

Kezegim ötüp ketkenin

(Ali) keyibey cürgön ekemin.

Kezegim kayda dep cürsöm

(Men) kelinge bergen ekemin.

My time is over,

I haven’t noticed it.

If I ask where my time is,

Sure enough, I’ve given it to my son.

My turn’s a matter of the past,

I still take no note of it.

When I ask when will it be my turn,

Sure enough, I’ve given it to my daughter-in-law.

235

Cayloonun köğü caykalgan

(Al) caş kezek öttü suykaygan.

Caş külgönçök baldarga da

Tay ene bolduk balpaygan.

Kıştoonun kögü caykalgan

(Al) kız kesek öttü suykaygan.

Kızgaldaktay kızdarga da

Çoñ ene bolduk balpaygan.

Youth like summer pastures of green grass

Flies off in a jiffy.

I’ve become the grandma

Of kids playing amidst laughter.

Like hay flies in the winter camp of nomads

My fair daughter has flown off.

I’ve become the grandma

Of girls ready to be brides.

236

Ay nuru cerge tögüldü

Agaylar aççı köñüldü.

Ardaktap cürüp ötölü

Aldıda turgan ömürdü.

Kün nuru cerge tögüldü

Külgündör aççı köñüldü…

Moonlight has flooded the earth,

Brothers, open up your hearts.

Let us truly honour

The life awaiting us.

Sunlight has flooded the earth,

Lassies, open up your hearts.

237

Ceñse eken, Sovet ceñse eken

Tilekti Kuday berse eken.

Soguşka ketken bir boorum

Aman bir esen kelse eken.

May the Soviets win, may they win

May God fulfill my wish!

May my brother going to war

Return home sane and sound!

238

Cakşını adam baykaybı?

Camandar adam caykaybı?

Cakşı menen bir cürsöñ

Ölgönçö kumar tarkaybı, tarkaybı?

Ketken bir cagıñ karasam

Köz cetkiz meykin keñ talaa.

Carooker seni samasam

Arılbayt işten köp sana, köp sanaa…

Do you take note of what is good?

Are you consoled by what is evil?

When you take the side of what’s good

Will your passion be fulfilled before you die?

If I look at your road,

Eyes can’t encompass the distance.

My beautiful, thinking of you

Doesn’t soften the desire in my heart.

239

Üyüñ, üyüñ üy eken

Üyüñ körkü çiy eken.

Your house, your house was a real house,

Its beauty owed to the reed.

240

Sal, sal, sal, bilek

Sarı mayga toy, bilek.

Kunan koydu soy, bilek,

Kuyruğuna toy, bilek.

Örük beken beşigi

Öböt beken akesi?

Ciyde beken beşiği

Cigit beken akesi?

Move, move, move little babe,

Be full with yellow butter, babe,

Kill a three-year-old animal, babe,

Eat your fill of its tail, babe!

Was his cradle a plum

Did his father kiss him?

Was his cradle an olive,

Was his father a champion?

241

Şaldır-şuldur şarkıldayt,

Şakek alıp catabı?

Bıçak uçu carkıldayt,

May tomurup catabı?

Kızıl koroz kıykıldap, kırman çaçtı.

Kızıl toru ceñekem sandık açtı.

Sandıgınan köp akça caynay kaçtı.

Sandıgınan berem dep alıp catsa.

It’s clinking merrily,

Is she getting out a ring?

The tip of the jack-knife’s shining,

Is she getting out some butter?

A red cock crowed, scattering corn,

My red-faced aunt opened the chest,

Loads of money scattered from her chest,

Loads of money scattered from her chest.

242

Assaloomu aleykim, catkan baylar

Koroo tolup köp koyu batkan baylar.

Bu koyuñdu köçköndö kimiñ aydar?

Kul çarığın süyrötüp, kuluñ aydar.

Kara ögüzün kañtarıp taşka baylar

Könöçögü tögülüp şoru kaynar.

Assaloomu aleykim, döötü kalam

Tördö catkan baylarga, berdik salam.

Selamünaleyküm71 masters in bed,

Masters with penfuls of sheep.

Who drives this flock when migrating?

Dragging their feet servants drive them.

Servants tying the black ox tight to a stone,

They get food in a sheepskin, they suffer a lot.

Selamünaleyküm fountain pen,

We’ve greeted those sitting in the pride of place.

243

Talaadagı şırıldañ ey

Kuladagı şırıldañ ey.

Şırıldañçı şıykıbız ey

Kaçan kelet uykubuz ey.

Aman bolso cılkıbız ey

Tañda kelet uykubuz ey.

Adır-adır cerlerden ey

Aygır minip biz keldik ey.

Wranglers’ song on the stubble-field, hey,

Horse-herders’ song in Kula72 , hey,

The wranglers’ song is sung aloud, hey,

When shall we get sleepy, hey?

When my stud horses are sleepy, hey,

We won’t get sleepy till morning, hey.

From undulating mountains, hey

We’ve come riding a steed, hey

244

Adır-adır cerlerden ey

Aygır minip biz keldik ey.

Aygır oozun tarta albay ey

Bay üyünö tuş keldik ey.

From undulating mountains, hey

We’ve come riding a steed, hey.

We failed to keep the steed in check,

We’ve just come into that house.

245

Kıy koroz, kıy koroz kırman çaçar

Kız albagan cigitter teñge çaçar.

Teñgeleri teşikten ırgıy kaçar.

A lazy cock, a lazy cock scatters straw,

A lad who doesn’t marry scatters money,

The money flows out through the hole.

246

Aygır oozun tarta albay

Uşul üygö tuş keldik.

We failed to hold the horse in check,

We’ve come into that house by chance.

247

Kiçinekey balası ala kaçtı.

Kiçinekey balası berbeymin dep ala kaçtı

Ala kaçtı.

He snatched a little child, he ran away with him,

I won’t give back the little child, he said, he ran away,

He ran away…

248

On eki ayda bir kelgen orozo can

Orozonun onu sizge, onu bizge,

Orozonun soobu tiysin sizge.

Orozonun bitirin beriñ bizge.

Spirit of fasting that comes once in twelve months

Ten of fasting [days] is our, ten is yours!

May you get reward for it in the world to come,

May we pay the alms of fasting!

249

Budur, budur toolordon,

Buka minip men keldim,

Buka oozun tarta albay

Uşul üygö tuş keldim.

Adır, adır toolordon

Argımak minip men keldim.

Argımak oozun tarta albay,

Uşul üygö tuş keldim.

From hilly and smooth-backed mountains

I’ve come riding a bull.

I failed to keep the bull in check,

I’ve come into this house by chance.

From hilly and smooth-backed mountains

I’ve come riding a stallion.

I failed to keep the stallion in check,

I’ve come into this house by chance.

250

Orozonun onu bizge, onu sizge,

Akıretke barganda soobu sizge.

Ten of fasting [days] is our, ten is yours!

May you have rewards for it in the world to come.

251

Caramazan ayta keldim eşigiñe

Ak koçkordoy uul bersin beşigiñe.

I’ve come to your gate to greet Ramazan,

May it give your crib a son like a white ram!

252

Adır, adır toolordon

Aygır minip men keldim.

Aygır oozun tarta albay,

Uşul üygö tuş keldim.

Uşul üydö ceñekem

Süzülüñkü körünöt.

From undulating hills

I have arrived on horseback,

I couldn’t hold the horse in check,

I’ve come to that house by chance.

My sister in that house

Appears a bit conceited.

253

Adır, adır toolordon

Aygır minip men keldim.

Aygır oozun tarta albay,

Uşul üygö tuş keldim.

Budur, budur toolordon,

Buka minip men keldim,

Buka oozun tarta albay

Uşul üygö tuş keldim.

Uşul üydün carıgı

Üzülüñkü körünöt.

Uşul üydö ceñekem

Süzülüñkü körünöt.

Bıçak uçu cıltıldayt,

May tomurup catabı?

Kazan-ayak kıldırayt

Kurut alıp catabı?..

From hilly and smooth-backed mountains

I’ve come riding a stallion.

I failed to keep the stallion in check,

I’ve come into this house by chance.

From undulating mountains

I’ve come riding a bull.

I failed to keep the bull in check,

I’ve come into this house by chance.

The light in that house

Seems to be glimmering,

My auntie in that house

Seems to be finicking.

The tip of the jackknife’s shining,

Is butter being taken out?

Pots are heard clattering,

Is dried cheese being brought?

254

Altından neçen buyum casalbaybı?

Alganıñ turmuş sırın çeçe bilse.

Al adam kündön küngö caşarbaybı

Al adam kündön küngö caşarbaybı?

What a lot of things are not made of gold,

Would to God your wife could find out the secret of life!

You won’t grow ever younger,

You won’t grow ever younger, will you?

255

Kurut berseñ turup ber

Beti koluñ cuup ber.

Come on, give me dried cheese!

Wash your face and give me your hands!

256

Caramazan, caramazan…

Ramazan greeting, Ramazan greeting

257

Adır, adır toolordon

Aygır minip men keldim.

Aygır oozun tarta albay,

Uşul üygö tuş keldim.

From undulating hills

I have arrived on horseback,

I couldn’t hold the horse in check,

I’ve come to that house by chance.

258

Assaloomu aleykum, ıramazan,

On eki ayda bir kelgen orozo can.

Onu sizge, onu bizge,

Orozo karmasañ soobu sizge.

Selamünaleyküm is the Ramazan greeting,

Fasting spirit that comes every twelth month.

Ten is our, ten is yours!

If you fast, you deserve reward in the world to come.

Assaloomu aleykum, ıramazan,

Paygambarım mingeni toru ala at

Tomuguna kuyruğu orolot.

Paygambarım mingeni karala at

Kapçıtına kuyruğu orolot.

Paygambarım mingeni kızıl ingen

Kızılına kızıgıp kızı mingen.

Paygambarım mingeni kula ingen

Kubalasa taylagı carga kirgen.

Paygambarım mingeni çal baş buura73

Baki coktun enesi Batma Zuura

Paygambarım mingeni toru ala at

Tomuguna kuyruğu orolot….

Selamünaleyküm is the Ramadan greeting,

The apple-grey saddle horse of my prophet

His mount with its tail reaching its hooves,

The mottled black mount of my prophet,

His saddle horse with its tail reaching its thighs.

My prophet’s red-haired camel,

His daughter mounted his red camel with envy,

If she chases my prophet’s grey-haired camel

It will lose its offspring.

My prophet’s white-headed camel bull,

Fatima Zuhra is the mother of us all,

My prophet’s mount is a dapple-grey horse,

The tail of the mount reaches to its hooves.

259

Assaloomu aleykim, caramazan,

On eki ayda bir kelgen orozo can.

Caramazan ayta keldim eşigiñe

Ak koçkordoy bala bersin beşigiñe.

Selamünaleyküm is the Ramazan greeting,

The spirit of fasting comes once in twelve months!

Oh I’ve come to your gate singing a Ramazan greeting,

May it give you a babe like a white ram in your cradle.

260

Uşul üydün üzügü

Üzülüñkü körünöt.

Uşul üydö ceñekem

Süzülüñkü körünöt.

Kazan-ayak kaldırayt

May tomurup catkanbı?

The roof of this house

Appears to be shabby.

My auntie in that house

Appears to be finicky.

The clatter of pots can be heard,

Is butter being brought?

261

Caramazan ayta keldim eşigiñe

Ak koçkordoy uul bersin beşigiñe.

I’ve come to your gate to greet Ramazan,

May it give your crib a son like a white ram!

262

Uşul üydün üzügü

Üzülüñkü körünöt.

Uşul üydö ceñekem

Süzülüñkü körünöt.

The roof of this house

Appears to be shabby.

My auntie in that house

Appears to be haughty.

263

Takta soko takıldayt.

Takıldatpa ceñeke.

Mendey balañ cok bele?

Kakıldatpa ceñeke.

Uşul üydün üzügü

Üzülüñkü körünöt.

Uşul üydö ceñekem

Süzülüñkü körünöt.

*Adır, adır toolordon

Aygır minip biz keldik.

Aygır başın tarta albay,

Uşul üygö tuş keldik.

Budur, budur toolordon,

Buka minip biz keldik,

Buka başın tarta albay

Uşul üygö tuş keldik.

A wooden mortar is creaking,

Don’t keep creaking it, auntie!

Haven’t you had a child like me?

Don’t let me beg you, auntie!

The roof of this house

Appears to be shabby,

The mistress of this house

Appears to be haughty

From rolling hilly mountains

We’ve come riding a stallion.

We failed to keep the stallion in check,

We’ve come to this house by chance.

From undulating mountains

We’ve come riding a bull.

We failed to hold the bull in check,

We’ve come to this house by chance.

264

Assaloom aleykum, caramazan,

Caramazan aytkanga keldim men da.

Caramazan aytamın kündö men da.

Caramazan aytkandan tıngan cokmun.

Caramazan aytılıp künügö da

On eki salam bir kelip aytar elem.

Salamdaşıp özüñö kaytar elem.

Adır, adır cerlerden aygır minip,

Tañ atkança kelemin, tañga cürüp.

Budur, budur cerlerden buka minip

Muñdanamın, kelemin buurusunan.

Selamünaleyküm, Ramazan,

I’ve come to greet Ramazan, too,

I’m singing Ramazan every day.

I haven’t had enough of singing Ramazan.

To sing Ramazan every day,

To sing its twelve greetings I’ve come.

I have returned to greet you.

From hilly places mounting a horse I set out,

I arrived in the morning,

From rolling mountains, on a bull

I set out, saddened by homesickness.

265

Assaloom aleykim, el agası,

Elden eken atamdın şıbagası.

Altın eken atının takagası

Kümüş eken tonunun cakagası.

Koş arıktan attagan koydun izi

Koy caşırıp berem deyt baydın kızı.

Koş arıktan attagan taydın izi

Tay caşırıp berem deyt baydın kızı.

Selamünaleyküm our president,

You’ve been fed by your people.

Golden horse-shoes on your horse,

Your furcoat’s trimmed with silver.

Your flock of sheep follows two trails,

The bey’s daughter promises even more.

Your stud follow two trails

The bey’s daughter promises even more.

266

Assaloomu aleykum, paygambarım

Samarkanda kız cıktı candın baarın.

Men barıp küröşöyün al kız menen

Iyıktar maga bergin batalarıñ.

Selamünaleyküm, my Prophet!

A girl from Samarkand has beaten all

the wrestlers.

Let me go and fight with that girl,

Holy people, please, pray for me!

Koy balam, barba, dedi, tilimdi alsañ

Kor bolosuñ kelbegenge özüñ barsañ.

Oyloçu tekeberdik carabayt go

Al cakta menmensingen bolot sarsañ.

Don’t go, honey, asked my father, listen to me,

Don’t look for trouble!

Just think, my father, how indecent it is

To boast of an impudent daughter.

267

Assaloom aleykum, caramazan,

On eki ayda bir kelgen orozo can.

Orozonun onu bizge, onu sizge

Orozonun bitirin bersin bizge.

Selamünaleyküm is the Ramazan greeting,

Spirit of fasting, appearing every twelfth month.

May ten fasting days be ours, ten yours!

May the Ramazan alms be our turn!

268

Caramazan aytkandan kim toygon

bar?

Bayırkınınn nuskasın kim koygon

bar?

Has anyone got fed up with the Ramazan

greeting?

Is there anyone who would break the

tradition?

269

Assaloom aleykim, caramazan,

On eki ayda bir kelgen orozo can.

Orozobuz kabıl bolsun, karmagan can.

Selamünaleyküm is the Ramazan greeting,

Spirit of fasting, appearing every twelfth month.

May the offering of fasters be accepted!

270

Budur-budur toolordon

Buka minip biz keldik.

Buka başın tarta albay

Uşul üygö tuş keldik.

*Adır-adır toolordon

Aygır minip biz keldik.

Aygır başın tarta albay

Uşul üygö tuş keldik.

From undulating mountains

We’ve come riding a steed.

We failed to bridle the steed,

We’ve come into that house by chance.

From hilly mountains

We’ve come riding a bull.

I failed to control the bull,

We’ve come into that house by chance.

271

Adır, adır toolordon ey-ey,

Aygır minip biz keldik ey-ey,

Aygır başın tarta albay ey-ey,

Uşul üygö tuş keldik ey-ey.

Budur-budur toolordon ey-ey,

Buka minip biz keldik ey-ey,

Buka başın tarta albay ey-ey,

Uşul üygö tuş keldik ey-ey.

From undulating mountains, ey, hey,

We’ve come riding a steed, ey, hey

I failed to hold the steed’s mouth, ey, hey,

We’ve come to that house by chance, ey hey

From the hilly mountains, ey, hey

We’ve come riding a bull, ey, hey.

I failed to hold the bull’s mouth, ey, hey,

We just managed to arrive, ey hey.

272

Adır-adır toolordon

Arkar minip biz keldik.

Budur-budur toolordon

Buka minip biz keldik.

From undulating mountains

We’ve come riding a wild sheep.

From hilly, wavy mountains

We’ve come riding a bull.

273

Adır-adır toolordon

Aygır minip biz keldik.

Aygır başın tarta albay

Uşul üygö tuş keldik.

From undulating mountains

We’ve come riding a steed.

We failed to bridle the steed,

We’ve come into that house by chance.

Budur-budur toolordon

Buka minip biz keldik.

Buka başın tarta albay

Uşul üygö tuş keldik.

From hilly, wavy mountains

We’ve come riding a bull.

We failed to bridle the bull,

We’ve come into this house by chance.

274

Kurut berseñ turup ber

Beti-koluñ cuup ber.

If you give dried cheese, come on, give some,

Give some, after washing hands and face.

275

Kündöş katın kurusun

Berdim, berdim dep koyot

Ceñine katıp cep koyot.

Kıy koroz, kıy koroz kırman çaçar

Kız albagan cigitter teñge çaçar.

Teñgeleri teşikten ırgıy kaçar.

Plague on you, second wife,

She says: I’ve given, I’ve given,

She hides it in her sleeve and eats it.

A lazy cock, a lazy cock scatters straw,

A lad who doesn’t marry scatters money,

The money flows out through the hole.

276

Adır, adır toolordon

Aygır minip biz keldik

Aygır başın tarta albay

Uşul üygö tuş keldik.

Bıdır, bıdır toolordon

Buka minip biz keldik.

Buka başın tartalbay

Uşul üygö tuş keldik.

From hilly and smooth-backed mountains

We’ve come riding a stallion.

We failed to keep the stallion in check,

We’ve come into this house by chance.

From rolling mountains

We’ve come riding a bull.

We failed to hold the bull in check,

We’ve arrived in this house by chance.

277

Berdim, berdim dep koyot

Eteginen alıp cep koyot.

I’ve given, I’ve given, she says,

She eats it up all in secret.

278

Sayga bütkön sarı tal

Irgay emey emine.

The blond branch sprouting from the brook,

Was nothing else but bird-cherry, wasn’t it?

279

Men elem Kayberen74 kiyik

Mültelüü ok mürümö tiyip.

Mına men aldıñda turam

Caradar başımdı iyip.

Kükük, kükük.

Men elem Kayberen kiyik

Mültelüü ok mürümö tiyip.

Mına men aldıñda turam

Caradar başımdı iyip.

Kükük, kükük.

I was the Miraculous Stag

A warning bullet hit my shoulder.

Behold, I’m standing before you,

My wounded head turned to the side,

Cuckoo, cuckoo.

I was the Miraculous Stag

A warning bullet hit my shoulder.

Behold, I’m standing before you,

My wounded head turned to the side,

Cuckoo, cuckoo.

280

Çımıyandan75 körpöçöñ

Çıdabaym seni körbösöm.

Çın barkıña cetermin men

Çın acal cetip ölbösöm.

Your saddle cloth is made of silk,

I’ll die if I can’t see you.

I am aware of your true value,

If the last hour of my life hasn’t struck.