Two years ago EkhristosAnesti posted a link ......
So.................... can anyone help provide an English translation of this beautiful song? Any help is much appreciated.
In Christ,
-Seraphim
Dear Seraphim
Due to a very slow Internet speed now I cannot listen to that performance by Bayrakdarian to know exactly what she sings. But I think, it must be one of the so called "taghs" by St Gregory of Narek (10th c.). Usually singers only perform one- two stanzas of that song. Perhaps Izabel Bayrakdarian has also sung that much. I have another recording of this song with another melody, composed by a modern composer but it's very nice really. That performance has some more stanzas. Unfortunately, it's accompanied by organ. Anyway, if anybody would like to have that recording, let me know and I'll send (but only next Monday, God willing; this week I'm at home where the Internet doesn't work well, but from my work place I can send big files).
I'm providing now the literal English translation of all stanzas of "Havun'. Please ignore the grammatical errors, as my English is not perfect. This song's words are woven from scriptural 'flowers', if I may call them so. The Song of Songs, Gospel of John, the books of Isaiah, Jeremiah and Proverbs are used (Septuagint version).
St Gregory of Narek Hymn of ResurrectionThe Bird, the Bird, awaken,
Looking at the heathen,
Was calling, calling the Turtle-dove,
His tender Beloved.
Return, return, O Shunnamite,
To the shadow of the rock.
Come from the mountains of leopards, O Bride,
From the fields of roes.
They are coming, coming, gathering
In Bethel's Ephraim.
Going going out, to the arenas
Of the garden of Kidron.
He trod grapes
In the colour, in the colour of blood,
Wood was put into [His] bread.
He killed his immolations.
He mingled in wine
Sweet libations.
A cup was offered
To invite to the wedding.
Invitation to the wedding:
Come, new people,
Eat of My bread
And drink My wine,
That you may live in inexhaustible,
Endless ages.
The following is the Classical Armenian text in English letters, according to today's Eastern Armenian pronunciation which is nearer to that of Classical Armenian than the Western Armenian pronunciation. Havoon Havoon artnatseal
Ditelov ezhetanoses
Dzayner dzayner tatrakin,
Sirasnund sirelvooyn.
Dardzir dardzir somnatsid
End vimin hovaneav.
Yek, harsnuhid i lerants endzoots,
I dashtats aytsemants.
Yekeal yekeal tavaghin
hEprayim Betelin.
Yeleal yeleal hasparezes
I haygin Kedroni.
Hndzan kokhelov
Gooyn i gooyn bosori.
Arkeal payt i hats,
Ezzenlis yoor zeneal.
Kharnel i gini
Zkharnelis anooshits.
Bazhak matootsav
I hraver harsaneats.
Hraver harsaneats,
Yekayk, nor zhoghovoordk,
Kerayk him hatses
Yev arbek zim ginis.
Zi ketsjik hanespar
Hanvakhjan haviteans.
In Christ,
S.
