Šaban Bajramović (1936-2008) was a Serbian musician and composer of Romani … Read Full Bio ↴Šaban Bajramović (1936-2008) was a Serbian musician and composer of Romani origin.

Bajramović was born on 16th April 1936 in Niš, Serbia. He attended primary school for only the first four years. When he left school, the street was his main source of musical education. At the age of nineteen, having joined the army, he left because of a girl; he was sentenced as a deserter to three years imprisonment on the island of Goli otok; because he told the military court that they couldn’t hold him for so long as he could survive, they raised his punishment to five and a half years. He survived, as he was a good goalkeeper in the prison football team. Because of his nimbleness and speed they called him "Crna Pantera", meaning "Black panther". Soon he forced his way into the prison orchestra that played, among other things, jazz (mostly Armstrong, Sinatra, and Coltrane) together with Spanish and Mexican pieces. He liked to say that he read 20,000 books in his life, most of them whilst in prison. He also said that the prison on Goli otok was his university, where he formed his philosophy, adding that a person who has never been in prison is not a person at all.

After Goli otok, his imusical career began. He made his first record in 1964, and went to make some twenty albums and about and about fifty singles. With his first major earnings he bought a white Mercedes and hired two bodyguards. The story says that he soon lost his Mercedes gambling.

Bajramović died of a heart attack in Niš on 8th June 2008.

Geljan dade
Šaban Bajramović Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Puchala me daja sose voj rovela,
Kasa dava sako dive.
Armaja voj dela,
Armaja voj dela.
Khere so na aveja.
Me phenjenca muchinelpe,
So rat na sovela.

Geljan dade tu dureste,
Amen achadjan, x2
Amen cikne te barova,
Tut te na dzanav

Thari Amerika,
To amal avilo.
Me puchav le dade,
Dal khere ka ave.
Vov vakarel mange,
Nashti tu te ave.
Kaj san but nasvalo,
A me bibaxtalo.

Geljan dade tu dureste,
Amen achadjan, x2
Amen cikne te barova,
Tut te na dzanav

Sasto geljan dade,
Zuralo sar Roma.
Akana san nasvalo,
So achilam bizo opro.
Ti slika dikhava,
Tuke me rovava.
Sa pe tute dade,
Me but lichinava.

Geljan dade tu dureste,
Amen achadjan, x2

Amen cikne te barova,
Tut te na dzanav

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Šaban Bajramović's song Geljan dade depict the struggles and hardships faced by the Roma people in their daily lives. The song opens with the singer describing the oppression faced by his family, as his father works hard every day to provide for them despite the difficulties they face. The refrain "Geljan dade tu dureste" is a plea to the father to come and help them, as they feel alone and helpless in their struggles.

The second verse of the song speaks of the singer's desire to leave for America, where he hopes to find a better life. He asks his father for guidance, hoping that he will be able to provide him with some direction. However, he also expresses his fear of being lost and alone in an unfamiliar place.

The final verse of the song describes the singer's admiration for his father, who he compares to a "sasto geljan dade," or a great Roma leader. He speaks of the pride he feels in his Roma heritage, and the hope that he will be able to carry on the traditions of his people. The song ends with the repeated refrain, expressing the singer's continued need for his father's guidance and support.

Overall, Geljan dade is a deeply emotional and poignant song that speaks to the struggles and triumphs of the Roma people. It highlights the importance of family, tradition, and resilience in the face of adversity.

Line by Line Meaning

Puchala me daja sose voj rovela,
My mother woke me up early in the morning,

Kasa dava sako dive.
She used to give me food every day.

Armaja voj dela,
I used to work hard,

Khere so na aveja.
But still had no money.

Me phenjenca muchinelpe,
I asked everyone for help,

So rat na sovela.
But nobody helped me.

Geljan dade tu dureste,
Please help me, my father,

Amen achadjan, x2
I beg of you, x2

Amen cikne te barova,
I want to go far,

Tut te na dzanav
But I do not know the way.

Thari Amerika,
To America,

To amal avilo.
I went for work.

Me puchav le dade,
I asked you, father,

Dal khere ka ave.
To give me a place to stay.

Vov vakarel mange,
You said to me,

Nashti tu te ave.
You cannot come here.

Kaj san but nasvalo,
I felt very sad,

A me bibaxtalo.
But I was fortunate.

Sasto geljan dade,
My beloved father,

Zuralo sar Roma.
You were persecuted like the Roma people.

Akana san nasvalo,
Now I am sad,

So achilam bizo opro.
Because I left my home.

Ti slika dikhava,
I see your picture,

Tuke me rovava.
And I cry for you.

Sa pe tute dade,
Do you remember, father,

Me but lichinava.
How much I loved you.

Writer(s): Saban Bajramovic

Contributed by Elizabeth J. Suggest a correction in the comments below.

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Most interesting comment from YouTube:

@anajosipovic2398

2y↑4

Pučava me daja,
Sose voj rovela
Kasa dava svako dive,
Armaja voj dela
Armaja voj dela,
Kere so naveja
Me penjenca mučinel pe,
So rat na sovela

Refren:

Geljan dade tu dureste,
Amen ačađan,
Amen cikne te barova,
tu te na đana
Geljan dade tu dureste,
Aman ačađan,
Te barjova, biza tute
tu te na đana

Tari Amerika,
To amal avilo.
Me pućav le, dade,
Dal' kere tu ka ave.
Vov vaćarel manđe,
Našti tu te ave.
Kaj san but nasvalo,
A me bibahtalo.

Refren.

Sasto geljan dade,
Zoralo sa Roma.
Akana san nasvalo,
So aćiljan bizo pro.
Ti slika dikhava,
Tuke me rovava.
Sa pe tute dade,
Me but lićinava