Simply Slovenia

THERE’S A GREEN DRAGON SMILING AT ME
GUARDING THE BRIDGE ON THE RIVER
AS THE LJUBLJANICA DANCES BELOW
WHILE THE STUDENTS, THEY CHATTER AND LAUGH AS THEY FLOW
TO THE BARS AND THE CAFES CAUGHT UP IN THE GLOW OF THE DAY
THE PINK FRANCESKAN CHURCH SHINES IN THE SUN
WHILE PRESEREN STILL GAZES AT JULIJA
ETERNALLY TRAPPED IN HIS POET’S ROMANCE
THOUGH SHE’LL NEVER SEE HIM, SHE CAN’T EVER FLEE HIM
SHE WON’T EVEN GIVE HIM A GLANCE

AI, AI, AI, AI, ZELENI ZMAJ, TOGETHER WE FLY
HIGH IN THE LUBLJANA SKY
ZELENI ZMAJ, FLY DRAGON FLY….THROUGH THE CITY OF LOVE

MISTY MORNING ON TIVOLI PARK
PINK SOFTNESS SURROUNDING THE CITY
WHILE DOWN AT THE MARKET THE COUNTRY FOLK SMILE
WITH THEIR WEATHER-CREASED FACES AND COLOUR-FILLED CASES
FRESH HAND-PICKED THE ACES OF VEGETABLES, FLOWERS AND FRUIT
CROSS THREE BRIDGES AND LEAVE THE OLD TOWN
RAISING YOUR EYES TO THE RAFTERS
WHERE PATTERN AND COLOUR MEET ART AND DESIGN
THE NEW OLD TRADITION, PURE CLASSICAL MISSION
AND PLECNIK’S GRAND VISION ALL STAND AND DELIVER IN STYLE

AI, AI, AI, AI, ZELENI ZMAJ, TOGETHER WE FLY
HIGH IN THE LUBLJANA SKY
ZELENI ZMAJ, FLY DRAGON FLY….THROUGH THE CITY OF LOVE

FOLLOW THE COBBLES AND HOUSES PILED HIGH
WINDING A PATH TO THE CASTLE
DARK SILENT SENTINEL TOWERS AT NIGHT
SURROUNDED BY TREES FILLED WITH STAR-TWINKLING LIGHT
THE AROMA OF FRIENDSHIP AND SONG TO DELIGHT ON THE AIR

CAJ AND POTICA, PRSUT AND TEHRAN
PURE WINES FROM THE WHOLE OF SLOVENIJA
CLIMB NEBOTICNIK AND DRINK IN THE VIEW
MUSIC AND SINGING, LJUBLJANA IS RINGING ALIVE, SPIRIT WINGING
GREEN DRAGONS ARE BRINGING ME HOME….

AI, AI, AI, AI, ZELENI ZMAJ, TOGETHER WE FLY ETC.

Music & Lyrics: Copyright Shirlie Roden

SILVER MOON LIGHTS THE VANISHING LAKE
AND THE MOUNTAINS BREATHE WHITE MIST
AND VILLAGES ARE DEEP IN SLUMBER
PEACEFULLY DREAM-KISSED
LIKE SEEDS WITHIN THE HAND OF GOD
WE’RE HELD WITH LOVING CARE
AS THE MOMENT OF SURRENDER WHISPERS ON THE MIDNIGHT AIR

OOH, OOH, I AM VANISHING WITHIN
AND IN MY DISAPPEARING LIES THE PLACE WHERE I BEGIN

THE SHADOWS IN THE MOONLIGHT ARE THE SHADOWS OF MY SOUL
THE PURE WHITE LIGHT OF BEING BURNS A PATH TO PAY EACH TOLL
SEE, THE SWALLOW HOLES LIE EMPTY
LIKE THE CRATERS OF THE MOON
BUT THE SPRING OF LIFE WILL SING AGAIN
AND DANCE ME TO ITS TUNE

OOH, OOH, I AM VANISHING WITHIN
AND IN MY DISAPPEARING LIES THE PLACE WHERE I BEGIN

AND I LOVE THE LAKE WITHIN ME, AND I LOVE THE EMPTY EARTH
AND I LOVE THE WHIRLING POOL OF JOY
THAT BUBBLES ME WITH MIRTH
AND I LOVE THE SILVER MOONTIME WITH ITS SILENT EBB AND FLOW
IN THE WATERS OF ETERNITY, WE ARE THE AFTERGLOW
IN THE WATERS OF ETERNITY, WE ARE THE AFTERGLOW

OOH, OOH I AM VANISHING WITHIN
AND IN MY DISAPPEARING IS THE PLACE WHERE I BEGIN

Music & Lyrics: Copyright Shirlie Roden

WE’RE A TRAVELLING CIRCUS, A COMEDY ACT
GOT THE WHOLE WORLD IN A VAN
WITH INFLATABLE CUSHIONS AND PILLOWS HIJACKED
NOW ALL WE NEED IS A MAN!
WE DRIVE ON THROUGH THE SUNSHINE
THE WIND AND THE RAIN
BUT SUDDENLY I’VE GOT THAT FEELING AGAIN…..

MOTOVILEC IN REGRAT IN KOPRIVA
CESEN, CEBULA IN CAJ
PARADIZNIK IN PESA IN PAPRIKA
NA WEM KJE IN KDAJ……SANJARIM VCERAJ

WE’VE GOT MUSIC AND MUSIC STANDS, HARP AND GUITAR
LAP-TOP COMPUTER AND LIGHTS
INCENSE AND CRYSTALS AND CREAMS BY THE JAR
PETTICOATS, CANDLES AND TIGHTS
‘AURA’ AND SPRINGWATER, HAIR-CURLING TONGS
BUT SOMEHOW I’M DISHING THIS UP WITH MY SONGS…..

MOTOVILEC IN REGRAT IN KOPRIVA
CESEN, CEBULA IN CAJ
PARADIZNIK IN PESA IN PAPRIKA
NA WEM KJE IN KDAJ……SANJARIM VCERAJ

ZELENA SOLATA, OH WHERE ARE YOU NOW?
MY STOMACH IS RUMBLING AS LOUD AS A COW….

THEN IT’S BACK ON THE ROAD, UP THE VALLEYS, DOWN HILLS
WE’RE CRAMMED BETWEEN FLOWERS, BRIGHT-RED
AND VESTA IS FEEDING US VITAMIN PILLS
WITH A STUFFED TOY CAT ON HER HEAD
WE’RE A GAGGLE OF GYPIES IN MUSICAL HASTE
BUT WHY OH WHY CAN’T I FORGET THE SWEET TASTE….

MOTOVILEC IN REGRAT IN KOPRIVA
CESEN, CEBULA IN CAJ
PARADIZNIK IN PESA IN PAPRIKA
NA WEM KJE IN KDAJ……SANJARIM VCERAJ

Music & Lyrics: Copyright Shirlie Roden

SPEAK, SPEAK OF DREAMS
MISTY GREEN AGAINST THE BLUE
I AM MY DREAMS
THE LIVING WORLD WITHIN MY VIEW
I SEE MINIATURE PEOPLE LIKE ANTS DOWN BELOW
LET IT GO, LET IT ALL GO

AND I FLY FREELY TO THE VALLEY WHERE YOU LIVE
I SEND THE SUNLIGHT TO YOUR SOUL
I BREATHE THE BREATH OF LIFE
TO HEAL YOU ON THE BREEZE
IN SOLITUDE, THE MOUNTAINS BRING ME PEACE
MY MOUNTAIN MEDITATION

THE WIND COOLS MY SKIN
LIPS ARE BURNED IN THE SUN
MY EYES CAN SEE ETERNITY
WHERE CLOCKWORK CARS WHIRR AND RUN
AND THE EARTH IS A PAINTING
EMBROIDERED WITH GOLD
TO BEHOLD, AND BEHOLD

AND I FLY FREELY TO THE VALLEY WHERE YOU LIVE
I SEND THE SUNLIGHT TO YOUR SOUL
I BREATHE THE BREATH OF LIFE
TO HEAL YOU ON THE BREEZE
IN SOLITUDE, THE MOUNTAINS BRING ME PEACE
MY MOUNTAIN MEDITATION

Music & Lyrics: Copyright Shirlie Roden

I was walking up Velika Planine one day. The sun was shining, the sky was blue, the birds were singing. And I turned to the children and said, “How beautiful!”
And the children said “Kako lepo!”
“Kako lepo?” So I asked the children, “What’s the word for ‘mountain’ in Slovene?”
“Planina!” “Planina?” So as we walked up the mountain, we began to sing this song:

LJUBIM PLANINE, KAKO LEPO …… (I love the mountains, how beautiful…)

So hand in hand, we walked further on up the mountain, until growing in the grass in front of us was a tiny red flower, smiling up at us. “How do you say ‘flower’ in Slovene?”
“Roze!” “Roze?” So let’s sing to the flowers:

LJUBIM ROZE, KAKO LEPO……(I love the flowers, how beautiful…)

On and on we walked up the mountain, and suddenly a bright yellow bird flew out of a bush in front of us. “What’s the word for ‘bird’ in Slovene?”
“Ptica!” “Ptica? Okay, let’s sing to the birds!”

LJUBIM PTICE, KAKO LEPO…..(I love the birds, how beautiful…)

Up the mountain we went and there, standing in front of us, with its roots in the earth and its branches reaching to the sky, was a beautiful green tree. “What’s the word for ‘tree’?” “Drevo!” And trees?” “Drevesa!” “Drevesa?”

LJUBIM DREVESA, KAKO LEPO…(I love the trees, how beautiful…)

On and on up the mountain we went, higher and higher, until we were at the very top, and we could see the whole of the earth spread out before us. Slovenija looked so beautiful. “How do you say ‘earth’ in Slovene?”
“Zemlja!” “Zemlja? Let’s sing to the earth!”
LJUBIM ZEMLJO, KAKO LEPO……(I love the earth, how beautiful…)

“But you know, before you can love the earth, before you can love the trees and the plants and the animals or any living thing, there’s one person you have to learn to love first. How do you say ‘yourself’ in Slovene?” “Sebe.” “Sebe? Can we really love ourselves? We can try!

LJUBEM SEBE, KAKO LEPO….

“So when you’ve finally learned to love yourself, when you love every living on the earth, then you realise what a wonderful gift your life is. How do you say ‘life’ in Slovene?”
” Zivljenja!” “Zivljenja? Let’s sing for the joy of being alive!”

LJUBIM ZIVLJENJE, KAKO LEPO…
KAKO LEPO, KAKO LEPO, KAKO LEPO
KAKO LEPO, KAKO LEPO, KAKO LEPO

Music & Lyrics: Copyright Shirlie Roden

THE CRADLE ROCKS: SHE SMILES AND SINGS
A CUK CRIES OUT ON SILENT WINGS
AND STONE WALLS ECHO WITH THE PAST
THE FATHERS AND THE SONS OF THE KARST
I’LL DRINK WITH YOU AT LOVE’S DEEP WELL
AGAIN, SWEETHEART, IN OLD STANJEL

SEE FOOTPRINTS ON THE PATH OF TIME
WHERE HORSES STAND WITH MEN IN PRIME
HE LIFTS HER HIGH TO REACH THE CART
AND EYE MEETS EYE, AND HEART CAPTURES HEART
AND NONE I KNOW SO DEEPLY FELL
AS I WITH YOU IN OLD STANJEL

LONG BLACK HIS HAIR, AND DARK HIS EYES
WITH STRONG DESIRE TO CLAIM LOVE’S PRIZE
YET HANDSOME STRANGERS NONE MAY TRUST
WHERE WAR TURNS ALL TO BLOOD AND TO DUST
OUR SECRET VOWS TO WHOM CAN WE TELL
THAT I MARRIED YOU IN OLD STANJEL?

OH MOTHER, I’M NO MORE A CHILD
HIS SON I BORE, DARK-EYED AND WILD
SO FATHER, TAKE MY LOVER’S HAND
BESIDE YOUR OWN TO WORK ON THE LAND
AND JOYFULLY LET RING THE BELL
TO SOUND THE PEACE IN OLD STANJEL

YES I’LL DRINK WITH YOU AT LOVE’S DEEP WELL
AGAIN, SWEETHEART, IN OLD STANJEL

Music & Lyrics: Copyright Shirlie Roden

WATER OF LIFE, I HEAR YOU CALL ME
WHISPERING SECRETS TO MY EARS
TOWERING FACES GUARD YOUR GLORY
SILENT FOR EIGHTY MILLION YEARS
WATER OF LIFE, I FEEL YOUR POWER
THUNDERING THROUGH MY DREAMS AT NIGHT
SWEEPING MY HEART AND SOUL BEFORE YOU
TURN WITH THE TORRENT WILD AND WHITE

OOH, OOH, WATER OF LIFE….OOH OOH, WATER OF LIFE….

WATER OF LIFE, YOUR VOICE IS THUNDER
BOULDERS AND ROCKS, PRIMAEVAL ROAR
SPITTING OUT SPRAY IN JOYFUL WONDER
BOOMING IN BASS FROM ROOF TO FLOOR
WATER OF LIFE, I SEE THE WHIRLPOOL
DANCING WITH GREEN AND YELLOW LIGHT
FASTER AND FASTER FLOWS THE SPIRIT
TURN WITH THE TORRENT WILDAND WHITE
OOH, OOH, WATER OF LIFE….OOH OOH, WATER OF LIFE….

WATER OF LIFE, YOU ARE YOUR MASTER
GLISTENING, GLIDING ENERGY
CARVING YOUR NAME IN ALABASTER
SPLITTING THE ROCKS AND FOAMING FREE
WATER OF LIFE, THE EARTH IS IN YOU
GODDESS OF SOUND AND ANCIENT RITE
YOU ARE THE CRYSTAL SONG OF HEALING
TURN WITH THE TORRENT WILD AND WHITE

OOH, OOH, WATER OF LIFE….OOH OOH, WATER OF LIFE….

WATER OF LIFE, YOUR PATH IS CERTAIN
NOTHING CAN STOP THE SACRED FLOW
GLITTERING DROPS, CASCADING CURTAIN
DIVING THE DEEP GREEN DEPTHS BELOW
WATER OF LIFE, I DRINK YOUR WISDOM
POUNDING MY HEART WITH WAVES OF LIGHT
I AM A ROCK AND YOU MY SPIRIT
TURN WITH THE TORRENT WILD AND WHITE

Music & Lyrics: Copyright Shirlie Roden

LUNA SIJE, KLADVO BIJE
TRUDNE, POZNE URE ZE
PRED NEZNANE, SRCNE RANE
MENI SPATI NE PUSTE
TI SI KRIVA, LJUBEZNIVA
DEKLICA NEUSMILJENA
TI ME RANIS, TI MI BRANIS
DE NE MOREM SPAT DOMA

OBRAZ MILI, TVOJ POSILI
MI JE VEDNO PRED OCMI
ZDIHUJOCE SRCE VROCE
VEDNO K TEBI HREPENI

K OKNU PRIDI, DRUG NE VIDI
KO NEBESKE ZVEZDICE
SE PRIKAZI AL SOVRAZI
ME SRCE, POVEJ, AL NE?

UP MI UZDIGNI, Z ROKO MIGNI
AK BOJIS SE GOVORIT
URA BIJE, K OKNU NI JE
KAJ SIROTA CEM STORIT!
V HRAM POGLEJTE MI POVEJTE
ZVEZDE, AL RES ONA SPI
AL POSLUSA, ME LE SKUSA
AL ZA DRUZEGA GORI

AKO SPAVA, NAJ BO ZDRAVA
AK ME SKUSA, NIC NE DE
PO NJE ZGUBE, AKO LJUBI
DRUZ’GA, POCLO BO SRCE

Lyrics: France Preseren
Music: Copyright Shirlie Roden

THE WINGS OF LOVE ARE OPENING
COME HOME
THE SACRED SMILE HAS HOPE TO BRING
COME HOME
COME HOME TO THE HEALING HEART, THE MOTHER’S ARMS
SHE’LL HOLD YOU SAFE FOR EVER
YOU’LL FIND PEACE FOR EVER
SHELTERING FOR EVER ‘NEATH MARIA’S WINGS OF LOVE

SHE SPREADS HER CLOAK WITH SIMPLE GRACE
COME HOME
SWEET COMPASSION FILLS HER FACE
COME HOME
SHE OFFERS HER GIFT TO BE PURE SANCTUARY
YOUR SOUL IS SAFE FOR EVER
YOU’LL FIND PEACE FOR EVER
SHELTERING FOR EVER ‘NEATH MARIA’S WINGS OF LOVE

SEE THE HOST OF FACES SMILE TURNING TO HER LIGHT
CLOAK OF THE MOTHER DIVINE SHELTERS THE WORLD FROM THE NIGHT
MARIA, SO BLESSED ARE WE
ANGEL IZ PTUJA SI TI

IN SILENCE SHE CRIES OUR TEARS
TRANSFORMS OUR FEARS
SHE’LL HOLD US SAFE FOR EVER
WE’LL FIND PEACE FOR EVER
SHELTERING FOR EVER ‘NEATH MARIA’S WINGS OF LOVE
WINGS OF LOVE….

Music & Lyrics: Copyright Shirlie Roden

KO BREZ MIRU OKROG DIUJAM
PRIJAT’LJI PRASAJO ME: KAM
PRASAJTE RAJ’ OBLAK NEBA
PRASAJTE RAJE VAL MORJA
KADAR MOGOCNI GOSPODAR
DRVI JIH SEM TER TJE VIHAR

KO BREZ MIRU OKROG DIUJAM
PRIJAT’LJI PRASAJO ME: KAM

OBLAK NE VE, IN VAL NE KAM
KAM NESE ME OBUP NE ZNAM
SAMO TO ZNAM, SAMO TO WEM
DA PRED OBLICJE NJE NE SMEM
IN DA NI MESTA VRH ZEMLJE
KJER BI POZABIL TO GORJE

KO BREZ MIRU OKROG DIUJAM
PRIJAT’LJI PRASAJO ME: KAM

Lyrics: France Preseren
Music: Copyright Shirlie Roden

THERE’S A VOICE CALLING MY NAME
THERE’S A HEART BEATING WITH MINE
A HAND REACHING OUT JUST TO HOLD ME AGAIN
AND A SMILE WHERE THE MEMORIES SHINE

SLOVENIJA, SLOVENIJA WILL ALWAYS BE MY HOME
SLOVENIJA, SLOVENIJA, WHEN I AM NEAR YOU
I AM NEVER ALONE

THERE’S A SONG, LOVING AND FREE
THERE’S A DREAM GROWING EACH DAY
THE MUSIC OF HOPE IS ALIVE IN OUR HEARTS
AS WE JOIN TOGETHER AND PRAY

SLOVENIJA, SLOVENIJA WILL ALWAYS BE MY HOME
SLOVENIJA, SLOVENIJA, WHEN I AM NEAR YOU
I AM NEVER ALONE

I’LL ALWAYS HAVE A FAMILY
I’LL ALWAYS HAVE A FRIEND
I MAY BE FAR AWAY, YOU ARE STILL WITH ME
YOU LIVE ON IN ME, SO LOVING AND FREE
YOU ALWAYS WILL BE……

SLOVENIJA, SLOVENIJA WILL ALWAYS BE MY HOME
SLOVENIJA, SLOVENIJA,
WHEN I AM NEAR YOU IT FEELS LIKE THE SPRING TO ME
WHEN I AM NEAR YOU THE MOUNTAIN TOPS SING TO ME
WHEN I AM NEVER YOU I AM NEVER ALONE
NEVER ALONE……SLOVENIJA

Music & Lyrics: Copyright Shirlie Roden

NAJ BO MIR V DOLINI, PEACE IN THE VALLEY
IN EVERY LEAF AND FLOWER AND GRASS AND TREE
MAY SPIRIT WANDER FREE

NAJ BO MIR NA PLANINI, PEACE IN THE MOUNTAIN
EACH ROCK AND STONE AND CREST AND HILL
MAY SPIRIT TOUCH AND FILL

WE ARE BORN AGAIN IN EACH NEW MOMENT
WE ALWAYS HAVE A CHOICE, TO WALK IN TRUTH
AND LIVE OUR INNER VOICE, OUR INNER VOICE

NAJ BO MIR V REKI, PEACE IN THE RIVER
IN EVERY LAKE AND STREAM AND WATERFALL
MAY SPIRIT SPRING THE CALL

NAJ BO IR V ZVOKU VETRA, PEACE IN THE WINDSONG
IN EVERY GUST AND GALE AND BREATH OF AIR
MAY SPIRIT SING IN PRAYER

WE ARE BORN AGAIN IN EACH NEW MOMENT
WE ALWAYS HAVE A CHOICE, TO WALK IN TRUTH
AND LIVE OUR INNER VOICE, OUR INNER VOICE

NAJ BO MIR V ZIVLJENJU, PEACE IN OUR LIVING
SO SIDE BY SIDE AND TRIBE BY TRIBE MAY SPIRIT BE OUR GUIDE

NAJ BO MIR V UMIRANJU, PEACE IN OUR DYING
IN LETTING GO, FORGIVE AND KNOW THAT SPIRIT FILLS YOUR SOUL

NAJ BO MIR V DOLINI, PEACE IN THE VALLEY
THROUGH ALL CREATED LIVING THINGS LET SPIRIT DANCE AND SING
SING TO PEACE IN THE VALLEY

Music & Lyrics: Copyright Shirlie Roden

ZELEN BRONAST ZMAJ SE MI NEMO REZI
KO STRAZI PREHOD PREKO REKE
SPODAJ LJUBLJANICA UTIRA SI POT
STUDENTJE CEBLJAJO POVSOD NA OKROG
KO DO BLIZNJIH LOKALCKOV ODNASA JIH TOK NOVIH UPOV
PRED NJJIM FRANCISKANSKA CERKEV ZARI
PRESEREN PA K JULIJI GLEDA
ZA VECNO UVET V SVOJ ROMANTICNI SVET
CEPRAV GA NE LJUBI, SE ZMERAJ JO SNUBI
S POLJUBI SPLETENIH BESED

AJ AJ AJ AJ, DVIGNI ME ZDAJ, LJUBLJANSKI CUVAJ
GOR V NEBO, ZELENI ZMAJ
NESI ME ZDAJ SKOZ CUDEZNI KRAJ…NAD MESTO LJUBEZNI

V MEGLICAH PREBUJA SE TIVOLSKI PARK
MEHKOBA OBLIVA LJUBLJANA
KO SPODAJ POD GRADOM VSE V BARVAH KIPI
SAJ TRG ZE ODET JE V PRIDELKE IN CVETJE
S KATERIMI KMETJE PRINESLI SO VONJ IZ VASI
KO PREK TROMOSTOVJA ZAPUSCAS STAR DEL
IN DVIGNES POGLED PROTI STREHAM
KJER PLECNIKOV GENIJ NAD MESTOM BEDI
VISOKA UVMETNOST IN GRADBENA SPRETNOST
DUH IN PODJETNOST SE TU NELOCLJIVO SPOJI

AJ AJ AJ AJ, DVIGNI ME ZDAJ, LJUBLJANSKI CUVAJ
GOR V NEBO, ZELENI ZMAJ
NESI ME ZDAJ SKOZ CUDEZNI KRAJ…NAD MESTO LJUBEZNI

POCASI SE VZPENJA VIJUGAVA POT
NA Z DREVJEM PORASLO VZPETINO
KJER V NOVI OBLEKI STAR GRAD SE BLESCI
IN STRAZO MED ZEMLJO IN NEBOM DRZI
IN Z VINOM IN GLASBO ZDAJ VABI LJUDI V SVOJ OBJEM

CAJ IN POTICA, PRSUT IN TEHRAN, DOBROTE IZ CELE SLOVENIJE
KO Z VRH NEBOTICNIKA SRKAM RAZGLED
CEZ OBSIJANO IN RAZIGRANO LJUBO LJUBLJANO
ZMAJ, LETI Z MANO DOMOV

Music: Shirlie Roden
Lyric translation into Slovene: Andrej Rozman Roza
Copyright: Shirlie Roden/Andrej Rozman Rosa