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

Key Vocabulary

Vocabulary	Meanings
Yerevan /jɛrəˈvɑːn/ B1	proper noun - The capital and largest city of Armenia.
Yana [ˈjana] N/A	vocalization / unclear - A vocalization or sound without clear semantic meaning in English, often used rhythmically or melodically in music. It may be a syllable from a non-English language.
yar [jaɾ] N/A	vocalization / unclear - A vocalization or sound without clear semantic meaning in English, often used rhythmically or melodically in music. It may be a syllable from a non-English language.
Alla [ˈalla] N/A	vocalization / unclear - A vocalization or sound without clear semantic meaning in English, often used rhythmically or melodically in music. It may be a syllable from a non-English language.
Sil [sil] N/A	vocalization / unclear - A vocalization or sound without clear semantic meaning in English, often used rhythmically or melodically in music. It may be a syllable from a non-English language.
La [la] N/A	vocalization / unclear - A vocalization or sound without clear semantic meaning in English, often used rhythmically or melodically in music. It may be a syllable from a non-English language.
Nana [ˈnana] N/A	vocalization / unclear - A vocalization or sound without clear semantic meaning in English, often used rhythmically or melodically in music. It may be a syllable from a non-English language.
yerk /jɛrk/ N/A	unclear / possibly noun (Armenian) - In Armenian, 'yerk' (երգ) means 'song' or 'hymn'. In this context, it may be a lyrical word or a vocalization.
yay [jaɪ] N/A	vocalization / unclear - A vocalization or sound without clear semantic meaning in English, often used rhythmically or melodically in music. It may be a syllable from a non-English language.
shem [ʃɛm] N/A	vocalization / unclear - A vocalization or sound without clear semantic meaning in English, often used rhythmically or melodically in music. It may be a syllable from a non-English language.
yara [ˈjaɾa] N/A	vocalization / unclear - A vocalization or sound without clear semantic meaning in English, often used rhythmically or melodically in music. It may be a syllable from a non-English language. (Note: 'yara' means 'wound' or 'scar' in Turkish, but its relevance here is unclear without further context).
nakhqa [ˈnaxqa] N/A	vocalization / unclear - A vocalization or sound without clear semantic meaning in English, often used rhythmically or melodically in music. It may be a syllable from a non-English language.
yaya [ˈjaja] N/A	vocalization / unclear - A vocalization or sound without clear semantic meaning in English, often used rhythmically or melodically in music. It may be a syllable from a non-English language.
khqqa [ˈkʰqqa] N/A	vocalization / unclear - A vocalization or sound without clear semantic meaning in English, often used rhythmically or melodically in music. It may be a syllable from a non-English language.
Trahyankqualla [tɾaˈhjaŋkwaˌlla] N/A	vocalization / unclear - A vocalization or sound without clear semantic meaning in English, often used rhythmically or melodically in music. It may be a syllable from a non-English language.
Yan [jan] N/A	vocalization / unclear - A vocalization or sound without clear semantic meaning in English, often used rhythmically or melodically in music. It may be a syllable from a non-English language, possibly related to 'Yana'.
lar /lɑːr/ N/A	unclear / possibly noun/verb (Armenian) - In Armenian, 'lar' (լար) can mean 'string' (e.g., of an instrument), 'wire', or 'tension', and also functions as a verb 'to tighten'. In these lyrics, it may be a lyrical word or a vocalization.
yayi [ˈjaji] N/A	vocalization / unclear - A vocalization or sound without clear semantic meaning in English, often used rhythmically or melodically in music. It may be a syllable from a non-English language.
ayaa [aˈjaː] N/A	vocalization / unclear - A vocalization or sound without clear semantic meaning in English, often used rhythmically or melodically in music. It may be a syllable from a non-English language.
yaay [jaːj] N/A	vocalization / unclear - A vocalization or sound without clear semantic meaning in English, often used rhythmically or melodically in music. It may be a syllable from a non-English language.
yanjili [janˈd͡ʒili] N/A	vocalization / unclear - A vocalization or sound without clear semantic meaning in English, often used rhythmically or melodically in music. It may be a syllable from a non-English language.
yaka [ˈjaka] N/A	vocalization / unclear - A vocalization or sound without clear semantic meaning in English, often used rhythmically or melodically in music. It may be a syllable from a non-English language.
riyu [ˈriju] N/A	vocalization / unclear - A vocalization or sound without clear semantic meaning in English, often used rhythmically or melodically in music. It may be a syllable from a non-English language.

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.