The Mudcat Café TM
Thread #88686   Message #2530034
Posted By: Artful Codger
02-Jan-09 - 06:26 PM
Thread Name: Origins:/ADD: Above a Plain / Swiftly Flowing Labe
Subject: Lyr Add: Isla Marina
The tune and chorus (at least) belong to this song, which is a Slovak (one source says Moravian) folk song, sometimes performed as a round:

IŠLA MARINA

Išla Marina do cintorína,
Šuhajček za ňou s holbičkou vína.
Huja, huja, hujajá, teče voda kalná,
Huja, huja, hujajá, teče voda z hor.

Počkaj, Marina, napij se vína,
Budeš červená ako malina.
Huja, huja...

Nechcem ja vína, ani pálenia,
Mala bych potom srdca bolenia.
Huja, huja...


Translation:
Mirina went to the cemetery;
A young man [following] after her with a mug of wine.
Huja, huja, huja-ja, the water flows muddy,
Huja, huja, huja-ja, the water flows from the mountains.

Wait, Marina, drink some wine
You'll be as red as the raspberry.

I don't want wine or brandy
Because then my heart would ache.

I haven't found a version anywhere close to the English translation. As is common when "translating" earthy folks songs for impressionable Girl Scouts, I suspect the authors considered a glancing resemblance to the original would suffice. Though it wouldn't surprise me if this song had a number of regional variants or additional verses.