Yerevan (Reimagined by Mercan Dede) – English Lyrics

• By: Ludovico Einaudi, Mercan Dede, Djivan Gasparyan, Quartetto David, Franco Feruglio, Ra*faelle
• Album: Reimagined. Volume 2, Chapter 3 (original album: Eden Roc)

Lyrics & Translation

Embark on a captivating musical journey with "Yerevan (Reimagined by Mercan Dede)" by Ludovico Einaudi. This piece offers a unique opportunity to connect with the soul of Armenian culture through the evocative sound of the duduk, skillfully interwoven with contemporary electronic textures. Discover how music transcends borders, blending Eastern traditions with Western innovation, and learn to appreciate the universal language of emotion expressed through this extraordinary collaboration.

[English]

YEREVAN

Yana yar...

Alla...alla yar

Sil...sil yar...

Yana La...

Nana...nana...nana...

Yana yerk...nana yay...shem...

Yana...yara...nakhqa...

Yana...yaya...khqqa...

Yana la...Trahyankqualla...

Yan lar...yayi...yan lar...ayaa...yaay...

yanjili...yana...yaka...riyu...

Nana...nana...nana...

Key Vocabulary

Vocabulary	Meanings
Yerevan /jɛrəˈvɑːn/ N/A (Proper Noun)	proper noun - The capital city of Armenia.
yar /jɑr/ B1	noun - lover, beloved, friend (from Armenian յար)
Sil /siɾ/ A1	verb - to love (Armenian origin, possibly imperative form or root of 'to love' – սիրել)
yerk /jɛrɡ/ A1	noun - song (from Armenian երգ)
shem /ʃɛm/ B2	noun - threshold (from Armenian շեմ)
lar /lɑr/ B1	noun - string (e.g., of an instrument) (from Armenian լար) verb - to strain, to tighten (from Armenian լարել)

Key Grammar Structures

• YEREVAN

  ➔ Proper Noun

  ➔ This is a proper noun, referring to a specific place (the capital city of Armenia). In grammar, proper nouns are always capitalized and refer to unique entities.

• Yana yar...

  ➔ Repetitive Vocalization / Interjection

  ➔ This phrase consists of repeated or similar syllables ('Yana', 'yar') often used as vocalizations or interjections in music, carrying emotional rather than literal meaning.

• Alla...alla yar

  ➔ Repetitive Vocalization / Call

  ➔ Similar to the previous line, this involves the repetition of a sound ('Alla') followed by 'yar.' This structure is common in musical refrains or calls, often invoking a sense of connection or address.

• Sil...sil yar...

  ➔ Repetitive Vocalization / Emphatic Sound

  ➔ The repetition of 'Sil' before 'yar' gives a sense of a quick, percussive sound or an emphasized action, though contextually it's a vocalization. It might mimic an imperative command due to its concise repetition.

• Nana...nana...nana...

  ➔ Pure Vocalization / Scat Singing

  ➔ This is a classic example of non-lexical vocalization or scat singing, where the voice is used as an instrument, creating rhythm and melody without conveying specific words or grammatical meaning.

• Yana yerk...nana yay...shem...

  ➔ Fragmented Vocalization / Phonetic Sequence

  ➔ This line features a sequence of distinct, fragmented sounds ('Yerk,' 'yay,' 'shem') combined with repetitive vocalizations ('Yana,' 'nana'). It focuses on phonetic exploration rather than sentence structure.

• Yana...yara...nakhqa...

  ➔ Progressive Vocalization / Sound Progression

  ➔ The sounds show a slight progression or variation ('Yana' to 'yara' to 'nakhqa'), indicating a movement in vocalization rather than fixed words. It might suggest a melodic or rhythmic development.

• Yana la...Trahyankqualla...

  ➔ Complex Vocalization / Onomatopoeic-like sound

  ➔ This line combines simple vocalizations ('Yana la') with a longer, more complex, and potentially onomatopoeic-like sound ('Trahyankqualla'). This could evoke a specific feeling or atmosphere through its unique phonetic structure.

• Yan lar...yayi...yan lar...ayaa...yaay...

  ➔ Iterative and Emotive Vocalization

  ➔ This line exhibits iteration ('Yan lar' repeated) and extended, emotive sounds ('ayaa...yaay...'). Such vocalizations often serve to build emotion or extend a musical phrase, emphasizing a feeling rather than a concept.