The Mudcat Café TM
Thread #160922   Message #3819428
Posted By: rich-joy
09-Nov-16 - 11:27 PM
Thread Name: Russian folksong - ANY information?
Subject: Russian folksong - ANY information?
I am searching for ANY information about a song that may well be a traditional folk song. I don't know what area it comes from, only that it is hugely popular on YouTube with many singers and I have only been able to locate these clips by sheer luck, through discovering and using the title in Cyrillic :
Вьюн над водой
The Google Translator program comes up with those words meaning "Bindweed Above the Water" and is variously written as "Vyun Nud Vadoy / Vun Nud Vodoi" e.g.

Apparently it is a Russian wedding song and I think concerns the prospective groom waiting at her gate and being offered riches and property and a black stallion, by his intended's relatives – but he says No, he only wants and needs the girl. This correct answer then earns him his bride.

I am not sure of the significance or symbolism of the Bindweed, which features in the refrain, and can only hazard a guess that it forms the base of the floral wreaths commonly worn on the head on festive occasions?? (but the water significance??)

The song features in at least a couple of films, one set in "modern" and one set in "historical" times.

Can anyone help?!

I would also be most grateful for a set of meaningful, singable lyrics, written in the Latin alphabet,
(and of course a translation to English would be nice!)

Thanks in advance,

Cheers!
Rich-Joy (Down Under)