Korobeiniki

"Korobeiniki" (Template:Lang-ru, also romanized Korobeyniki) is a famous Russian folk song. "Korobeiniki" is translated as "peddlers".

History

The song "Korobeiniki" is based on a poem with the same name by Nikolay Nekrasov, written and printed in the Sovremennik magazine in 1861.^[1] Due to its increasing tempo and the dance style associated with it, it quickly became a popular Russian folk song.^[2]

Korobeiniki were peddlers with trays, selling fabric, haberdashery, books and other small things in pre-revolutionary Russia.^[3] The song tells the story of a young Korobeinik trying to sell his goods to a dark-eyed girl named Katya, eventually kissing her which leads them to disappear into a rye field.

Modern cover versions

"Korobeiniki" was arranged by Hirokazu Tanaka^[4] and used as the "Type A" music in the Game Boy version of Tetris. It has since become closely associated with the game in Western popular culture. Though Tetris Holding LLC holds a sound trademark on the song for use in video games,^[5] the song has appeared in Dance Maniax 2nd Mix under the title "Happy-hopper".

Doctor Spin's 1992 novelty Eurodance cover (under the name "Tetris") reached #6 on the UK singles chart. The string quartet Bond included a version on their 2000 debut album Born called Korobushka which they often perform at their live concerts. American rock band Ozma released a rock version on their 2001 album The Doubble Donkey Disc. German techno group Scooter sampled it in 2007 in their song "Whistling Dave" from the album Jumping All Over the World. It was also performed and recorded by the California-based vocal ensemble Chanticleer on their album "Wondrous Love" (1997). The American instrumental power metal band Powerglove recorded their own version of the song, simply entitled "Tetris", on their debut EP Total Pwnage (2005).

Lyrics

Russian lyrics	Transliteration	English translation
Ой полным полна коробушка Есть и ситец и парча. Пожалей, душа-зазнобушка, Молодецкого плеча. Выйду, выйду в рожь высокую, Там до ночки погожу, Как завижу черноокую, Все товары разложу. Цены сам платил немалые, Не торгуйся, не скупись, Подставляй-ка губки алые, Ближе к молодцу садись. Вот уж пала ночь туманная, Ждёт удалый молодец... Чу, идёт! - пришла желанная, Продаёт товар купец. Катя бережно торгуется, Всё боится передать, Парень с де́вицей целуется, Просит цены набавлять. Знает только ночь глубокая, Как поладили они. Распрямись ты, рожь высокая, Тайну свято сохрани! Ой, легка, легка коробушка, Плеч не режет ремешок! А всего взяла зазнобушка Бирюзовый перстенёк.	Oy polnym polna korobushka Yest' i sitets i parcha. Pozhaley, dusha-zaznobushka, Molodetskovo plecha. Vyydu, vyydu v rozh' vysokuyu, Tam do nochki pogozhu, Kak zavizhu chernookuyu, Vse tovary razlozhu. Tseny sam platil nemalyye, Ne torguysya, ne skupis', Podstavlyay-ka gubki alyye, Blizhe k molodtsu sadis'. Vot uzh pala noch' tumannaya, Zhdyot udalyy molodets. Chu, idyot! — prishla zhelannaya, Prodayot tovar kupets. Katya berezhno torguyetsya Vsyo boitsya peredat', Paren' s devitsey tseluyetsya, Prosit tseny nabavlyat'. Znayet tol'ko noch' glubokaya, Kak poladili oni. Raspryamis' ty, rozh' vysokaya, Taynu svyato sokhrani! Oy legka legka korobushka Plech ne rezhet remeshok. A vsego vzyala zaznobushka, biryuzovyy perstenyok	Oy, my crate is so full, I've got chintz and brocade. Take pity, oh sweety, Of this lad's shoulder I will, I will go out into the tall rye, I will wait there till the night comes, Once I see the dark-eyed lass, I will showcase all my goods. I paid no small price myself, So don't bargain or be stingy, Bring your scarlet lips to me, Sit closer to this fine lad. The foggy night has already come, The daring lad is awaiting, Hark, it's her! The desired one has come, The merchant is selling his goods. Katya is haggling with care, She is afraid to pay too much, A lad is kissing his lass, Asking her to raise the price. Only the deep night knows, What they agreed upon. Straighten up now, oh tall rye, And keep their secret scrupulously! Oy, my crate is so light, The strap is no longer cutting into my shoulders! And all my lass took Was one turquoise ring.

References

^ Cornwell, Neil (1998), "Reference Guide to Russian Literature", p. 574
^ Lane, Christy & Langhout, Susan (1998), "Multicultural Folk Dance Guide", pp. 19-22
^ Lincoln Fitzpatrick, Anne (1990), "The Great Russian Fair", p. 99
^ Square Enix Music Online, Hirokazu Tanaka: Brief Profile
^ Trademark Applications and Registrations Retrieval, Latest Status Info. Accessed 2009-03-13.

External links

[1] Cornwell, Neil (1998), "Reference Guide to Russian Literature", p. 574

[2] Lane, Christy & Langhout, Susan (1998), "Multicultural Folk Dance Guide", pp. 19-22

[3] Lincoln Fitzpatrick, Anne (1990), "The Great Russian Fair", p. 99

[4] Square Enix Music Online, Hirokazu Tanaka: Brief Profile

[5] Trademark Applications and Registrations Retrieval, Latest Status Info. Accessed 2009-03-13.

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