Do Not Weep, Mother lyrics and meaning
Oi neverk, motušėle, kad jaunas sūnus
Eis ginti brangiosios tėvynės!
Kad pavirtęs kaip ąžuolas girių puikus
Lauks teismo dienos paskutinės.
Taip nelaužyk sau rankų, kaip beržo šakas
Kad laužo užrūstintas vėjas;
Tau dar liko sūnų; kas tėvynę praras,
Antros neišmels apgailėjęs.
Ten už upių plačių žiba mūsų pulkai:
Jie mylimą Lietuvą gina;
Kam nusviro galva, tam Dangaus angelai
Vainiką iš deimantų pina.
Daugel krito sūnų kaip tų lapų rudens:
Baltveidės oi verks, nes mylėjo!
Bet nei bus, nei tekės Nemune tiek vandens,
Kiek priešų ten kraujo tekėjo.
Vedė Vytautas ten didžiavyrių pulkus
Ir priešų sulaužė puikybę:
Už devynias mares, už tamsiuosius miškus
Išvarė kryžiuočių galybę.
Saulė leidos raudona ant Vilniaus kapų,
Kai duobę kareiviai ten kasė,
Ir paguldė daug brolių greta milžinų,
O Viešpats jų priglaudė dvasią.
O neverk, motušėle, kad jaunas sūnus
Eis ginti brangiausios tėvynės!
Kad pavirtęs kaip ąžuolas girių puikus
Lauks teismo dienos paskutinės!
Meaning
This song can be understood as a patriotic song consoling a mother whose son goes to defend the homeland. At the beginning, she is urged not to weep because her young son will go to defend the dear homeland, and if he falls like a splendid oak of the forest, he will await the final Judgment Day. These images can be interpreted as justification of heroic sacrifice.
The mother is then urged not to wring her hands like birch branches broken by an angry wind, because she still has sons, while whoever loses the homeland will not obtain a second one by prayer or regret. Beyond broad rivers, troops shine as they defend beloved Lithuania, and for those whose heads droop in death, the angels of Heaven weave a diamond wreath. These images can be understood as glorification of the fallen and heavenly reward.
At the end, Vytautas is recalled as leading regiments of great warriors and breaking the power of the crusaders, along with the graves of Vilnius where brothers are buried. These images can be interpreted as an elevation of historical greatness and national memory. This is one possible meaning, but the patriotic motif of defending the homeland is clear in the song.
Symbols
- Son defending the homeland
- The young man who goes to fight for Lithuania. He signifies patriotic sacrifice.
- Oak
- The fallen son is compared to an oak. It signifies strength and heroism.
- Diamond wreath and angels of Heaven
- The wreath woven by angels for the fallen. It signifies heavenly reward for sacrifice.
- Vytautas and the crusaders
- Vytautas leading troops and breaking crusader power. They signify the historical greatness of the nation.
History
This text comes from Maironis, the pen name of Jonas Mačiulis, and his poem "Oi neverk, matušėle," published in the poetry collection "Pavasario balsai" at the end of the nineteenth century. The poem quickly spread as a song and became one of the most famous works of the Lithuanian national revival. Its mention of Vytautas and victory over the crusaders links the work with the memory of the Battle of Žalgiris.
Although this is an authored literary text, in purpose and imagery it is close to military-historical patriotic songs: consoling a mother as she sends her son to defend the homeland, honoring the fallen, and elevating the nation's historical greatness. The song entered oral tradition and was sung in various versions.
Sources
- Maironis Lithuanian Literature Museum: “90 Maironio balsų”, poem “Oi neverk, matušėle!” (literary text; the sung version may differ) · Maironis Lithuanian Literature Museum: “90 Maironio balsų”, poem “Oi neverk, matušėle!”
- Lietuvių liaudies dainynas (LLTI): general context; volume and item for this version not supplied
- D. Krištopaitė. Lithuanian Military-Historical Songs, Vilnius 1956 (general background; specific passage not supplied)
- Universal Lithuanian Encyclopedia: Lithuanian folk songs
- Universal Lithuanian Encyclopedia: military-historical songs
- LLTI: Lietuvių liaudies dainynas — series overview; this version’s item number not supplied
Common questions
Who created this song?
The text comes from Maironis, Jonas Mačiulis, and his poem "Oi neverk, matušėle," published in "Pavasario balsai." It quickly spread as a song.
Do Not Weep, Mother: what is this song about?
It is a patriotic song consoling a mother whose son goes to defend the homeland. It justifies heroic sacrifice and awakens national memory.
Why is Vytautas mentioned?
Vytautas, who led great warriors and broke crusader power, links the work with the memory of the Battle of Žalgiris and the elevation of national history.
What does the diamond wreath woven by angels mean?
For the fallen defender, angels of Heaven weave a diamond wreath. It is a heavenly reward for sacrifice to the homeland.