Their music is based on over a thousand years of musical tradition of Bulgaria, arranged by Bulgarian composers from the 1950s to this day. Their resonant and vibrato-free vocal quality is unique to Bulgaria. Most of the singers are originally from the rural regions of the country trained in their regional singing styles. They are currently directed by Bulgarian conductor Dora Hristova.
Their initial commercial release was in 1966 with the album “Music of Bulgaria” on the Elektra label. Seven albums followed during the late 80s and 90s, including one live album “A Cathedral Concert” in 1988 and a remix album “From Bulgaria With Love” in 1993. To-date their last release was in 2001.
In the UK, their reputation was secured by the re-release of "Le Mystère des Voix Bulgares, Volume 1" on the 4AD label.
Kalimankou Denkou
Le Mystère Des Voix Bulgares Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Do sega si mi bila, Denko mari, kalimana,
Ot segana nasetne, Denko mari, parvo libe.
Izgori me, Denko mari, popari me,
Ta me stori, Denko mari, suho darvo,
Suho darvo, Denko mari, orehovo
Kalimankou Denkou is a traditional Bulgarian folksong that has been arranged and performed by the Bulgarian female choir Le Mystére des Voix Bulgares. The song is characterized by its hauntingly beautiful melody and the intricate vocal harmonies produced by the choir. The lyrics of Kalimankou Denkou are in Bulgarian and tell of a woman, Kalimankou, who is described as beautiful and beloved. The singer expresses their longing for Kalimankou and refers to her as "Denko Mari", which could be interpreted as a term of endearment.
The singer describes how Kalimankou has been a part of their life since they were children, but now they are separated. The phrase "Do sega si mi bila" means "you have been with me until now". The singer recalls how, in the past, they used to play together and have fun, but now Kalimankou is preoccupied with some new love interest. The singer addresses Kalimankou, telling her to burn and scorch them, or turn them into a dry tree, possibly in reference to the pain of unrequited love or missing someone deeply.
Line by Line Meaning
Kalimanko, Denko mari, hubava,
Oh, beautiful Kalimanko Denko, my dear friend
Do sega si mi bila, Denko mari, kalimana,
You have been my beautiful song until now, dear Denko
Ot segana nasetne, Denko mari, parvo libe.
But from a broken heart, my first love, dear Denko
Izgori me, Denko mari, popari me,
Burn me, scald me, dear Denko
Ta me stori, Denko mari, suho darvo,
Turn me into dry wood, dear Denko
Suho darvo, Denko mari, orehovo
Dry wood, dear Denko, just like walnut
Writer(s): KRASSIMIR KURKTSHIYSKI
Contributed by Penelope S. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@user-ug4bm7qe5q
Here is another small part of the Bulgarian folklore for listening .......
There are hundreds of songs that are worth hearing .....
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wQ9BkiDEsGw
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aNk-BbbYnuY
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hVqrW-fPOQ0
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=txQUVbO0oQ0
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ETP6pGP6BO0
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G0kILiWQ3Ac
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fMupddQIKjg&list=RDEMZYItL-ecbl1uXFrD1cuKhw&start_radio=1&rv=3AanQB6Jq5g
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s621JvTbJ-8
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=febv8U6fQus
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Skhaf0yQrQc
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ViEstJxmZfo
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=70hEW4s9hYQ
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9cFaS_utkLc&lc=z23ghpl4qpq2uov1m2hd0svstnojwabbms25pghaej00u00c2
@TheVioletteMV
Translation:
Калиманко, Денко мари, хубава,
Kalimanko, Denko mari, beautiful,
до сега си ми била, Денко мари, калимана,
until now you have been mine, Denko mari, kalimana
от сегана насетне, Денко мари, първо либе.
from now on, Denko mari, my first love
Изгори ме, Денко мари, попари ме,
Burn me, Denko mari, scald me
та ме стори, Денко мари, сухо дърво,
u made me, Denko mari, dry wood
dry wood, Denko mari, walnut tree
Love it. I'm in the Rodopi mountains right now and i heart this song by chance in a small village.
@lanehartwell
I saw them in a church almost 30 years ago. I cried through the whole performance, sometimes sobbing, breathlessly. I wasn't the only person doing it.
@JsRf13
one of the most utterly beautiful pieces of music performed in our lifetime.
@sarak6514
Werner Herzog introduced me to this beautiful music through his films. I feel this music was born in the mountains where I belong.
@petarpetrov4418
The name of the mountain, this music was born, is Strandja.
@tazzz1783
Born and living in Tracian folklore region myself I have to tell you guys, when my soul is heavy I listen music from our region and I cry a bit, its purifyng expirince and life gets beautiful again.
@snejanav6612
this the most beautiful song on earth I have ever heard in my entire life, tears start streaming.
@pete1729
And one day you will hear them sing live in performance.
@davecollinsmusic
This is so beautiful it seems to be tapping into some primal source that the rest of us have forgotten how to get to.
@superlimone
I heard this track during an LSD trip. It was deeply beautifil and ancient. Something like a cosmos chanting. Unforgettable.
@bobh28630
It has been 50+ years since my last journey and I envy you the experience of hearing this while listening with a mind so attuned.