Thou Art a Vineyard

"Thou art a Vineyard" Fresco in Cappadocia

Thou Art a Vineyard (Georgian: შენ ხარ ვენახი, transliterated: Shen Khar Venakhi) is a Medieval Georgian hymn. The text was written by King Demetre I (Demetrius I) of Georgia (1093-1156 AD). The composer of the music is unknown. Supposedly King Demetre I wrote it during his confinement as a monk in David Gareja Monastery. The hymn is dedicated to Georgia and the patronage of the Virgin Mary; it is also a prayer of praise to Mary in the Georgian Orthodox Church.

"Thou art a Vineyard", Icon of Virgin Mary

Thou Art a Vineyard is usually sung by a choir without instrumental accompaniment and is a classic example of Georgian choral music.

Compositionally, the hymn is characterized as very polyphonic and is representative of the late Medieval traditions of the Georgian Renaissance.

King Demetre I (Demetrius I) of Georgia. Fresco in Matskvarishi

Text of Thou Art a Vineyard

Georgian Version: შენ ხარ ვენახი, ახლად აყვავებული, ნორჩი კეთილი, ედემს შინა ნერგული, (ალვა სუნელი, სამოთხეს ამოსული,) (ღმერთმან შეგამკო ვერვინა გჯობს ქებული,) და თავით თვისით მზე ხარ და გაბრწყინვებული.

English Transliteration: shen khar venakhi, akhlad aqvavebuli. norchi k'etili, edems shida nerguli. (alva suneli, samotkhes amosuli.) (ghmertman shegamk'o vervina gjobs kebuli.) da tavit tvisit mze khar da gabrts'qinvebuli.

English Translation: You are a vineyard newly blossomed. Young, beautiful, growing in Eden, (A fragrant poplar sapling in Paradise.) (May God adorn you. No one is more worthy of praise.) You yourself are the sun, shining brilliantly.

External links

• The Recovering Choir Director - [1]
• Sample Music by Kitka - [2]