Pachvala kniaziu Vitaŭtu (Ode to Duke Vitaŭt)
The lirycs from the Latin poem Carmen de statura feritate ac venatione bisontis (A Song about the Appearance, Savagery and Hunting of the Bison, Kraków 1523) by Belarusian poet Mikola Husoŭski.
The official dedication of the poem was addressed to Queen Bona, who provided funding for the publication. The present passage of “Song of the Wisent” narrates about the political and organizational talent of Duke Vitaŭt, who managed to set up the great army by putting the recruits on a trial at hunting bison and thus widened the territory of the Great Duchy of Lithuania and gained international respect.
Music by Stary Olsa. Translated from Latin into Belarusian by Zmicier Sasnouski. Actual English translation by Alena Martsyanava and Volya Dzemka.
Vitoĺd valadaru Vialikaj Litvy abšaru
Zdolieŭ u vajaraŭ sprytnasć ratnuju trymać.
Za vitoĺdava kniažennie raskvitnieŭ čas uzvyšennia,
Mieŭsia zbrojnyja sialienni pa Litvie nabudavać.
Zdolieŭ u vajaraŭ sprytnasć ratnuju trymać.
Za vitoĺdava kniažennie raskvitnieŭ čas uzvyšennia,
Mieŭsia zbrojnyja sialienni pa Litvie nabudavać.
Miž vajnoj litviny hartavali moc krainy,
Dužali družyny ŭ ablavach na zubroŭ.
Novych vojaŭ rychtujučy viezli rekrutaŭ u pušču,
Kab asilkaŭ dzikich bjučy, uzmužnieli miž zviaroŭ.
Dužali družyny ŭ ablavach na zubroŭ.
Novych vojaŭ rychtujučy viezli rekrutaŭ u pušču,
Kab asilkaŭ dzikich bjučy, uzmužnieli miž zviaroŭ.
Volaty ŭ pachodach žyli ŭ bitvach i niahodach,
Mocny nazaŭsiody duch rycerstva nie slabieŭ.
Vitoĺd vojskam byŭ usciešny jak Litvy karoĺ naliežny,
Staviŭ mieč svoj na pamiežžy, vorah kab prajsci nia smieŭ.
Mocny nazaŭsiody duch rycerstva nie slabieŭ.
Vitoĺd vojskam byŭ usciešny jak Litvy karoĺ naliežny,
Staviŭ mieč svoj na pamiežžy, vorah kab prajsci nia smieŭ.
Actual English translation:
Vitaut, the ruler of the Great Litva,
Managed to sustain the warriors’ temper.
During Vitaŭt’s ruling, the country's greatness grew,
Building armed dwellings in Litva was his intention.
Managed to sustain the warriors’ temper.
During Vitaŭt’s ruling, the country's greatness grew,
Building armed dwellings in Litva was his intention.
In between the wars, the power of the country grew;
Troops were growing strong at bison hunting.
New recruits were taken to the woods
To gain strength from being among the beasts, fighting them.
Troops were growing strong at bison hunting.
New recruits were taken to the woods
To gain strength from being among the beasts, fighting them.
The strong ones lived in fights and sorrows,
The mighty spirit of knights never faded.
Vitaut, as the true king of Litva, was pleased with his army,
He would protect the borders with his sword to scare off the enemies.
The mighty spirit of knights never faded.
Vitaut, as the true king of Litva, was pleased with his army,
He would protect the borders with his sword to scare off the enemies.
