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Kupalo

by Nastasia Y

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about

One day, as I was driving my car, a Prince song came on the radio. I started singing ancient Ukrainian polyphonic motifs over Prince’s grooves, and “Kupalo'' was created.

Kupalo is a Slavic celebration of the summer solstice and fertility, originating from pagan times. On the night of Kupalo (Ivana Kupala), young villagers leap over fires, purify themselves in water, and perform rituals to predict their fates. It's a night when young couples let loose and give themselves to the invigorating heat of summer days to come. This night is often the start of a lifetime of nesting with the person that ignites their passion.

I hope this track evokes the power of Ukrainian magic, set to smooth soulful grooves that capture the sultry nature of the Kupalo evening.

...Because we all know we need some magic right now! Let's call on the help of our ancestors to rid of evil spirits and manifest freedom.

lyrics

LYRICS:

На Івана купала
Цілу нічку не спала
Цілу нічку не спала, ой
Я по лісі блукала

Цілу нічку не спала
Я по лісі блукала

Ой летіло да купайло
Через наше село
Стовпом дим
Кличе грім

Ой летіло да купайло
Через наше село
Стовпом дим
Кличе грім

Стой дубе не гуди
На дубове голуби
На Івана Купала
На вулиці гуляла

Стой дубе не гуди
На дубове голуби
На Івана Купала
Гуляла

Ой летіло да купайло
Через наше село
Стовпом дим
Кличе грім

Іванова голова
Занялася була
Стовпом дим
Кличе грім

----
TRANSLATION:

On Kupala night
I didn't sleep all night
I didn't sleep all night, oh
I wandered through the woods

I didn't sleep all night
I wandered through the woods

Oh, the Kupalo was flying
Through our village
A pillar of smoke
Thunder calls x2

Stop, oak tree, don't hum
On oak doves
On Ivana Kupala
I wandered through the streets x2

(Oak, green little oak
Oak, little oak)

credits

released June 21, 2023
Music by: Nastasia Y
Lyrics: Traditional
Produced by: Nastasia Y & Justin Gray
Mixing: Justin Gray
Mastering: Justin Gray
Guitar: KC Roberts
Bass: Dan Minchom
Drums: Marito Marques
Backup Vocals: Ekaterina
Art: Braty Art

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about

Nastasia Y image

Nastasia Y Toronto, Ontario

Nastasia Y is a Ukrainian-born artist in Toronto on a mission to sing to the world about Ukraine, combining jazz, funk, rock, pop, and electronic elements with Slavic folk.

Her album ‘Kyiv Soul’ (May 2024) features Juno and Grammy award nominated musicians, exploring themes of resistance, generational trauma, and ancestral magic.

Pronunciation: nas-TA-s’yah ... more

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