Crn gavrane, zašto gačeš – Gorica, Janj, BiH

Rista Vojinović – Lead voice/prvi glas
Rajka Vojinović, Petar Žiža – Bass/bas

Janj is a geographical, historical, and cultural area of the western part of Central Bosnia (Bosnia and Herzegovina). It is located between the Vrbas River, the Pliva River, and the Vitorog Mountain. The name of the area comes from the small but beautiful river Janj, the tributary of Pliva. It is inhabited primarily by the Orthodox Serbs.
The uniqueness of the Janj area lies in its strong roots in tradition. Many aspects of the culture including folk costumes, craft, music, or traditional working methods (such as working with draft horses and cutting grass with a scythe to provide food for animals) are still cultivated and constitute the common identity of the Janjani. What particularly enchanted us was the unique singing with a very powerful, deep emission.

“Crn gavrane, zašto gačes?” is a traditional song sung in “na bas” style. Similar lyrics can be found in partisan songs in other regions of former Yugoslavia - there might be older versions too. The most important characteristic of the song is a reference to the Kosovo myth, cultivated in oral poetry from centuries and finally codified in the nineteenth century. The myth extols the Battle of Kosovo fought in 1389 between an Ottoman army led by Sultan Murad and a Christian force led by Serbian Prince Lazar Hrebeljanovic (both commanders were killed during or after the battle). The Battle of Kosovo Field is one of the most important elements of Serbian national identity, and the Kosovo legend recurs repeatedly in folk poetry. Its important figures include the holy ruler Lazar, Miloš Obilić - the assassin of Sultan Murad, the traitor Vuk Branković, the Kosovo Maiden, Jug Bogdan and his nine sons and others.

Lyrics (ENG)

"Black raven, why are you cawing?
Oh, Kosovo field, why are you crying?"

"I am mourning the death of Jugović's nine sons
and the death of Miloš Obilić"

I too am mourning my brothers
They died in this battle


Lyrics (SR)

Crn gavrane, zašto gačeš?
Oj, Kosovo, zašto plačeš?

Žalim devet Jugovića
I Miloša Obilića

I ja žalim braću svoju
Izginuše u tom boju

---
About us – Balkan Polyphony is a field research project that collects traditional music from the Balkan area. We are not interested in any ideologies, we don’t take sides in any historical conflicts. What interests us is traditional culture and its musical intricacies.