Korobeiniki
"Korobeiniki" (Russian: "Коробе́йники", lit. "tray peddlers"), also romanized "Korobeyniki" and occasionally referred to as "Korobushka" or "The Peddlers", is a Russian folk song.
History
The song "Korobeiniki" is based on a poem with the same name by Nikolay Nekrasov, written and printed in the Sovremennik magazine in 1861.[1] Due to its increasing tempo and the dance style associated with it, it quickly became a popular Russian folk song.[2]
Korobeiniki were peddlers with trays, selling fabric, haberdashery, books and other small things in pre-revolutionary Russia.[3] The song tells the story of a young Korobeinik trying to sell his goods to a dark-eyed girl named Katya, eventually kissing her which leads them to disappear into a rye field.
Modern cover versions
"Korobeiniki" was arranged by Hirokazu Tanaka[4] and used as the "Type A" music in the Game Boy version of Tetris. It has since become closely associated with the game in Western popular culture. Though Tetris Holding LLC holds a sound trademark on the song for use in video games,[5] the song has appeared in Dance Maniax 2nd Mix under the title "Happy-hopper".
Doctor Spin's 1992 novelty Eurodance cover (under the name "Tetris") reached #6 on the UK singles chart. Bond included a version on their 2000 debut album Born. American rock band Ozma released a rock version on their 2001 album The Doubble Donkey Disc. German techno group Scooter sampled it in 2007 in their song "Whistling Dave" from the album Jumping All Over the World. It was also performed and recorded by the California-based vocal ensemble Chanticleer on their album "Wondrous Love" (1997). The American instrumental power metal band Powerglove recorded their own version of the song, simply entitled "Tetris", on their debut EP Total Pwnage (2005).
Lyrics
| Russian lyrics | Transliteration | English translation |
|---|---|---|
Ой полным полна коробушка Выйду, выйду в рожь высокую, Цены сам платил немалые, Вот уж пала ночь туманная, Катя бережно торгуется, Знает только ночь глубокая, Ой, легка, легка коробушка, |
Oy polnym polna korobushka Yest' i sitets i parcha. Vyydu, vyydu v rozh' vysokuyu, Tseny sam platil nemalyye, Vot uzh pala noch' tumannaya, Katya berezhno torguyetsya Znayet tol'ko noch' glubokaya, Oy legka legka korobushka |
Oy, my crate is so full, I've got chintz and brocade. I will, I will go out into the tall rye, I paid no small price myself, The foggy night has already come, Katya is haggling with care, Only the deep night knows, Oy, my crate is so light, |
References
- ^ Cornwell, Neil (1998), "Reference Guide to Russian Literature", p. 574
- ^ Lane, Christy & Langhout, Susan (1998), "Multicultural Folk Dance Guide", pp. 19-22
- ^ Lincoln Fitzpatrick, Anne (1990), "The Great Russian Fair", p. 99
- ^ Square Enix Music Online, Hirokazu Tanaka: Brief Profile
- ^ Trademark Applications and Registrations Retrieval, Latest Status Info. Accessed 2009-03-13.