Зоряна / The ballad of Zoryana

Cover photo: The old market place, Jacques Cartier Square Old Montreal, Quebec.

All rights of the record producer and the owner of the recorded works reserved. Unauthorized copying, public performance and/or use of «The Ballad of Zoryana» is prohibited by law.

Copyright. YFP 1008 & 8YFP 1008

Produced and directed by Bohdan Tymyc of Yevshan Records, Montreal Quebec, Canada

This booklet has been issued in conjunction with the long-playing recording, «The Ballad of Zoryana», the first record in the Concept Series.

Dedicated to all young Ukrainians who are able to use the performing and creative arts as an expression of their involvement in the preservation of Ukrainian heritage in North America.

I wish to thank everybody who participated in the many long hours sacrificed at rehearsals, recording sessions, designing, translations, and advising in the production of this record. Also many thanks to the Taras Shevchenko «Prosvita» Association of Lachine, Quebec, for their sponsoring and support in this project.

Bohdan Tymyc

Зоряна

На базарному майдані, площі Жак Карт’є, в історичній частині Монтреалу, в самому серці цього французько – канадського міста, сидить старий кобзар, що колись прибув до Канади у повоєнний час. Він співає серед заслуханих молодих канадських українців.

Ця пластинка являється інтерпретацією переказу старого кобзаря, в мистецькій передачі молодих українсько – канадських виконавців.

Оповідання розпочинається малюнком спокійної ночі. У галицькому селі Суха – Воля, де молода мати заколисує до сну новонароджену доню Зоряну, піснею «Ой Місяцю, Місяченьку», неначе допитуючи цього чарівнина про долю своєї доні життя.

Але дитинство Зоряни невеселе. Важка праця збавляє її родинного щастя. Вона лишається самотньою, але ніколи не втрачає надії на краще життя.

Іван, юнак із сусідного села, це перша любов Зоряни. Часто, Зоряна з подругами та Іваном ходили в поле. Іван у перемовах з дівчатами на тему любови заявляв, що здатним почекати на найкращу з них. Зоряна слідкувала за Іваном, та мріяла про його кохання. Швидко пішли вістки про закоханих і про іхнє весілля.

Зоряна продовжає мріяти про біленьку хатинку, квітчастий садок, та про щасливе життя з Іваном. Та враз одного ранку збудив її зо сну, дивний гук з далека. Вона одягається та спішить до залізничої стації і зустрічає Івана, зажуреного думкою про дівчину яку він покидав зазнавши з нею короткого щастя.

Зоряна горює за своїм коханим і часто кошмарно снить про Іванову смерть або про любовні Іванові пригоди. Незважаючи на це, Зоряна вірить що він на неї все таки дожидає.

В той час Іван уже канадець, але все ще в телоні чарів першої любови. Світовий неспокій приводить в кінці також Зоряну до Канади. По довших розшуках, Зоряна знаходить Івана. Незабаром вони одружуються, але подружжя їхнє нещасливе, бо любов для Зоряни згублена у минулому і Зоряна відчуває що щастя її ніколи не повернеться. Вони розходяться бо Іван знайшов собі чужинку – канадійку.

Зоряна одержує багато листів від своєї матері з України. У своїх листах, мати пише про садок, та про дерева які Зоряна колись садила. Ці листи зворушували Зоряну, але свідомости самоти не змогли розвіяти.

Час проминає, спогади залишаються, а Зоряна учиться розуміти свою доню. Іноді у місячні ночі, вона марить про кращу долю своєї дитини, і долю народу який вона залишила в рідній країні – Україні. І часто в пісенній розмові з місяцем, Зоряні вчуваєтся пророче звучання майбутньої пісні покоління її доні, якому все ж таки доведеться вітати волю України.

The Ballad of Zoryana

The tale of Zoryana is told in a series of traditional Ukrainian ballads, modern folk songs and contemporary compositions. It is an allegorical tale, in which Zoryana symbolizes Ukraine (the mother country) and Ivan, the Ukrainian people displaced by unrest. The child represents the new Ukrainian youth, born and accepted into this multicultural nation. Here, the new generation is free to express their political and cultural patriotism.

The story unfolds in the little village of Sukha Volya (Withered Freedom), Lubachiv. There, on a peaceful, clear night, a young mother rocks her newborn child, Zoryana, to sleep. As she sings «Oy Misyatsu Misyatschenku», her soothing but anxious voice questions the silver-faced guardian as to the fate of their precious Zoryana. Unselfishly, she asks the bright moon to cast its rays upon her child so that one day she may find happiness in a land of freedom.

As Zoryana grows older, she finds herself coming home from the harvest to nothing but bare walls. Hard work and trouble have taken her family away. There is no one to love, no one to talk to. Naive to the reality that surrounds her, she spends many hours praying for a better life.

In a field near Zoryana’s home, there works a neighboring village fellow, Ivan. Zoryana and her friends spend many a sunny day following Ivan to the fields, only to have him tease the girls … or to speak to them of love. Admiringly, many precious hours are spent listening to him as he speaks of waiting for the best girl before deciding to marry.

Zoryana often purposely waits for Ivan behind the woodlands, hoping that she might be his. Finally, one day, Ivan approaches Zoryana and spends many long hours talking with her. Wild tales about the young lovers emerge amongst the village folk; some even talk about a wedding.

Countless nights thereafter, Zoryana dreams of future happiness to be shared with her Ivan. She dreams of a whitewashed house surrounded by a fragrant blooming orchard.

Suddenly one morning she awakes to peculiar sounds echoing from behind the woodlands. Steaming wheels hiss over the tune of the morning crickets. She runs barefoot through the dew-cov-ered grass, only to see Ivan’s mournful profile whisk away above the glistening golden wheat fields in the morning sun. As Ivan sits on the wooden crate in the train, thoughts of the happy and carefree moments spent with the lovely young girl flow like a never-ending stream. A tear gently rolls down his face, for he knows that there is no turning back. The future would soon hold mere memories of their past.

For countless years, Zoryana walks through those fields remembering how she once frolicked with her lover Ivan. In a daydreamingly manner she still sees Ivan as a bachelor, far, far away. At other times, her daydream takes on a nightmarish air as she trembles to the thought that her beloved Ivan has died in the line of duty, or perhaps that other women are in his arms.

Meanwhile Ivan, who is now in Canada, often also reminisces about the magic of their first love. He discovers that such love can only occur once. He somehow doubts that it will ever return, for once lost, it can never repeat itself.

Unrest in the world soon forces Zoryana to leave her beloved homeland. The loneliness of the new land surprisingly does not frighten her as once did her bare home. Her thoughts and dreams about those things once wished for have somehow, almost unknowingly, fallen asleep. Her eyes can no longer shed tears, nor can her heart feel the warmth of a smile, for life no longer holds any meaning for her.

Alas, to her surprise, Zoryana comes across Ivan in Montreal, the main port of immigration into Canada. Aged and tired, he does not recognize her as the once-beautiful village girl that he so loved. Soon after, they are wed; however, their happiness is once again short-lived. Ivan is forced to leave her again, but now with a child.

Alone now, Zoryana spends many long hours reading the letters which her mother sends. Her letters rekindle those unforgettable childhood memories, and she finds comfort in visualizing the village house surrounded by cherry trees in full bloom … the waters gently encircling the golden wheat fields . . . the tall, proud sunflowers raising their thirst-filled faces to the warming sun in the clear blue skies. Filled with saddened thoughts, she gazes through her window into the silver-mooned light and suddely recalls a favorite koleskova (lullaby) which her mother used to sing to her as a child. As she begins to sing, she asks the silver-faced guardian to foretell the fate of her child. He replies that «the dreams will not be forgotten, for when your children wake up they will have to undertake the job of making their parents’ dream a reality … so sleep, little child . . . sleep . . .»

Special thanks

The following individuals have contributed greatly to the production of «The Ballad of Zoryana»: Petrusia Bilyk, Olya Grod, Natalya Hawrylak, Mr. V. Hawryluk, Roman Karpishka, Irene Kushelnyk, Maurice, Lionel Parent, Eddy, Anna Rebizant, Esther Rumbling, Ted Sancton, Mr. & Mrs. Tymyc, Jean-Guy Venne, Mr. & Mrs. Pawlowsky, Roman Kostyk.

Top row: Bohdan Tymyc, Roxolana Sawka, Sylvia Prystupa, Yourko Kulycky.

Bottom row: Lida Shewchuk, Danylo Kuka, Halyna Harmatiuk, Robert Matichak.

The following persons are missing from the hoto: Hania Pankiw, John Jason, David Lang.

Cover Concept

The star, the main motif used by Ivan Blyszczak in the frame, stems from old pagan beliefs and represents an orderly concept of our universe. This ideogram is symbolic of the female principle, wisdom, beauty and elegance. Its origins are attributed to the people who once inhabited Eastern Europe thousands of years ago. Through the ages it has also been associated with the mysteries of life.

The nostalgic painting in a neo-impres-sionistic style was designed by a contemporary Ukrainian artist from Detroit, Orest Kawka.

The back cover, designed by Showcase Creations, b.t., with paleography by Edward Dorozowsky, used original 17th century Ukrainian script. The use of this particular script is especially relevant, as it reflects the concept of the album throughout the ages.

Yevshan Records

The record company is named after a mythological herb called «yevshan zillia» to which are attributed magical powers. Its mystical fragrance reminds one of what is Ukrainian. Its scent is the scent of home, bringing back memories of childhood, of first love and a feeling of belonging. Turning to native Ukrainian folklore, Yevshan has found countless colorful and creative ways of expressing love, hope, joy and sorrow through the artistic medium of song. Similarly, «The Ballad of Zoryana» creates in us a new and richer love of our Ukrainian cultural heritage.

This unifying force makes «The Ballad of Zoryana» a total musical experience.

For further information write to:
Les Disques
Yevshan Records
P.O. Box 125 Station St. Michel Montreal, Quebec, Canada H2A 3L9