Lioj Lylia, the Crane Flies lyrics and meaning
Lioj lylia lek gervela,
Lek gervela lylia.
Lioj lylia kur skraidžiojai,
Kur skraidžiojai lylia.
Lioj lylia ko ieškojai,
Ko ieškojai lylia.
Lioj lylia mus pašonei
Mus pašonei lylia.
Lioj lylia miežio grūdo,
Miežio grūdo lylia.
Lioj lylia žirnio grūdo,
Žirnio grūdo lylia.
Lioj Lylia, the Crane Flies: song interpretation
This song with the refrain "lioj lylia" can be understood as a short question-and-answer song about a little crane. At the beginning, the crane flies, and it is asked where it has been flying. This structure can be interpreted as a playful dialogue with a bird.
The crane is asked what it was looking for, and the answer is that it was looking near us. This image can be understood as the bird's connection with the singers' own surroundings.
At the end it becomes clear that the crane was looking for a barley grain and a pea grain. These grains can be interpreted as signs of harvest and food, so the song may be connected with abundance or play. This is one possible meaning, but the playful question-and-answer character of the song is clear.
Lioj Lylia, the Crane Flies: symbols and phrases
- Little crane
- The flying crane being questioned. It is the playful dialogue partner of the song.
- Flying and searching
- The crane's flight and search. They mark the bird's path and curiosity.
- Barley and pea grain
- What the crane was looking for. They mark signs of harvest and food.
Lioj Lylia, the Crane Flies: song history
"Lioj lylia lek gervela" belongs to children's and game songs: a short question-and-answer song addresses a flying crane, asking where it flew and what it was looking for. The steady refrain "lioj lylia" and the repetition of line endings are typical of playful children's songs and round dances.
The exact place and time of recording are not given on this page, so the song is presented according to genre features. The answer that the crane was looking for barley and pea grains beside the singers connects the bird with the home environment, harvest, and food images typical of children's songs.
sources
- Lietuvių liaudies dainynas, t. 1–23, Vilnius 1980–2011 (LLTI)
- P. Jokimaitienė. Lietuvių liaudies vaikų dainos, Vilnius 1970
- Lietuvių liaudies dainų katalogas, 6 t., Vilnius 1972–1986
Lioj Lylia, the Crane Flies: sources
Lioj Lylia, the Crane Flies: frequently asked questions
What kind of song is this?
It is a short children's or game song, built as a question-and-answer dialogue with a flying crane.
What does the refrain "lioj lylia" mean?
It is a sound-based refrain that supports the rhythm and gives the song a playful, round-dance sound.
What was the crane looking for?
The song answers that the crane was looking beside the singers for barley and pea grains, linking it with harvest and food.
What setting does this song suit?
Its question-and-answer structure and short text suit children's games and round dances in which singing can alternate.