Savor Shkoder - No More Mountain Driving
Savor
The people of Shkoder have developed a special kind of music over the centuries that is quite different from anything else in Albania. They made more sophisticated music, with lyrical, romantic texts, a restrained tempo and oriental-sounding scales.
Until recently, the songwriters craftily used symbols and metaphors to get around certain taboos that existed at the time, making odes to flowers rather than addressing the woman they had their eyes set on.
Albania has changed alot since the early days of citizen songs, but there is strong evidence that the tradition will survive. You can still regularly hear old and newly interpreted songs hummed on the streets and played in many of the town’s live music venues.
Below is a one of the most popular City Songs:
LULE BORE - Albanian
Tuj kerku n’are dhe koder
Tuj prek lulet gjith me dore
Veç n’nji kopesht te vogel n’Shkoder
Ty te gjeta lulebore.
Je e vogel, por je plot
Ty t’kerkoj une tash sa mot
Tash sa mot une ty t’kerkoj
N’gezim me ty jeten ta shkoj.
Eja, eja lule bore
Une me ty do thur kunor.
Pashe ma te bukuren stine prandvere
Pashe mretneshen drandofill
Mos t’ja falish kujt ti eren
Se per mu vetem ke çile.
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SNOW FLOWER (LULE BORE) - English
I searched fields and hills
I touched flowers everywhere
Only in a small Shkoder garden
I found you, snow flower.
You’re small, but cheerful
You’re the one I’m looking for
Many years I was trying
Finding joy in life with you, my lover.
Come, come snow flower
You and I will merge together.
I saw the most beautiful spring
I saw the Rose Queen
Don’t give your flavor to anyone
Because you are the one for me.
