Friends, why mourn? (Latvian drinking song: Draugi, kādēļ sērot?)

Melody: anonymous; Text: Jānis (John) Ziemeļnieks (1897-1930) - a Latvian drinking song arranged by Laila Salins. Performed by The New Tango Project: Laila Salins, vocalist; Bill Schimmel, accordion; Machiko Ozawa and Marc Levine, violins; Leo Grinhauz, cello.
Friends, why be so glum - it's just another day,
despite your analyzing, pain is here to stay.
Face the road with laughter, forget the doom and gloom,
any path you take will lead you to your tomb.
Let's sit round the table, the girls are here at least,
nothing makes life sweeter - have another glass!
Performed at The Cell, New York, NY on Dec. 4, 2009; produced by Center for Contemporary Opera. Video by Garlia Jones, edited by Steve Simring.

Category:

Music

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• Friends
• why be so glum?
• Draugi
• kādēļ sērot?
• Jānis Ziemeļnieks
• John Ziemeļnieks
• drinking song
• cabaret
• Latvian music
• Latvian singer
• chamber music
• world music
• Laila Salins
• Laila Saliņa
• Bill Schimmel
• accordion
• Machiko Ozawa
• Marc Levine
• violin
• Leo Grinhauz
• cello
• poets
• poetry