Soko
Ali Farka Touré Lyrics

The lyrics of Ali Farka Touré’s song “Soko” describe the story of a falcon flying over the Ravnagora mountain range in Serbia, calling for the Chetnik leaders. The song refers specifically to the Chetnik leader Draza Mihailović, who led a resistance against the communist authorities in Yugoslavia during World War II. Draza Mihailović was eventually captured by communist forces and executed by firing squad in 1946. The song describes how Mihailović was betrayed by the communist bandits who captured him and how the British authorities, who were initially supportive of the Chetniks, also turned their back on him.

The song can be interpreted not just as a political statement on Mihailović’s ultimate fate, but also as a more general commentary on betrayal and the loss of heroic figures. In describing Mihailović as a “Serbian giant” who was betrayed by “bandits without morals,” the song emphasizes the injustice of a hero being abandoned by those whom he trusted.

“Soko” is a powerful and emotionally charged song that reflects on themes of heroism, betrayal, and resistance. The lyrics are a reminder of the complex history of Serbia’s struggle for independence and highlight the ongoing legacy of wartime partisanship and division.