Spring wind floods water – The most famous Hungarian folksong

One of the most beautiful and well-known Hungarian folksongs is Tavaszi szél vizet áraszt (Spring wind floods water). It is the first song that Hungarians learn and continue to cherish, as it has become a solid part of our culture and identity. No matter which version we hear, our hearts beat together to the rhythm.

Folk music is like mother tongue. It’s public treasure, and every nation has its own. According to budapestwatersummit.hu, the collection of the Hungarian folksong heritage started in 1896 at the initiation of Béla Vikár. His work was continued and fulfilled by the two world-famous Hungarian composers, Zoltán Kodály and Béla Bartók, who didn’t only make their marks in collecting, but also in systematisation. Thanks to them, Hungarian folk music research is still in the world’s front-rank, and through their work Hungarian folk music has become the part of universal culture.

Kodály made the education of folk music part of public education with the help of his Kodály-method, which has been adopted by several countries in the world since then. Thanks to this, Hungarian children are already introduced to folksongs in kindergarten, and Tavaszi szél vizet áraszt (Spring wind floods water) is among the first songs in every kids’ repertoire. This song, in particular, was collected by Sándor Veress in Bogdánfalva (Moldavia) in 1930. The folksong, which’s beauty and secret lies in its simplicity, has become an elemental part of Hungarian culture.

Hungarian folksongs are characteristically diverse. Almost all songs touch upon the approach that analyses the world as a whole, words touch on the deepest human feelings, and the seemingly evanescent word of peasantry comes alive through the lyrics. This is also the case with Tavaszi szél vizet áraszt (Spring wind floods water), in which water, the source of all life, appears as the metaphor of love.

Tavaszi szél vizet áraszt,                                  Spring wind floods water,
virágom, virágom.                                            my flower, my flower.

Minden madár társat választ,                        Every bird chooses a partner,
virágom, virágom.                                            my flower, my flower.

Hát én immár kit válasszak,                           Well, who should I choose,
virágom, virágom                                              my flower, my flower.

Te engemet s én tégedet,                                  You choose me, I choose you
virágom, virágom.                                            my flower, my flower.

Zöld pántlika, könnyű gúnya,                        Green ribbon, light clothes
virágom, virágom.                                            my flower, my flower.

Mert azt a szél könnyen fújja,                        Because wind blows it easily,
virágom, virágom.                                           my flower, my flower.

De a fátyol nehéz gúnya,                                But the veil is a heavy cloth,
virágom, virágom.                                           my flower, my flower.

Mert azt a bú földig húzza                             Because grief pulls it to the ground
virágom, virágom.                                          my flower, my flower.

The popular folksong has been covered by many outstanding artists all over the world, let us introduce some of these covers. This is only a brief selection, if you’re interested, you can find even more covers online.

The most famous is probably Freddie Mercury’s version, who flattered the Hungarian audience with the folksong at Queen’s concert in 1986.

The most recent cover is connected to Trio Mandili, a band formed by three Georgian girls, who became famous through social media.

World-famous Hungarian pianist, Balázs Havasi also composed a musical movement reminiscent of Hollywood soundtracks with the most famous Hungarian folk song.

The incredible Kazakh Astana Philharmonic Chamber Choir didn’t only record the song professionally, but also shot a little music video for the song a few years ago.

Another touching version was recorded by the Polish Astrolabium, whose members sing so perfectly that you wouldn’t necessarily be able to tell that they aren’t Hungarians.

And the last one is a beautiful, modern cover by Hungarian band Holdviola (Lunaria). They perform folksongs with a modern touch while keeping their traditional features.

Ce: bm

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=smSxWPqzc3o

Source: Daily News Hungary