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Lioj Saudai, Evening lyrics and meaning

On this page
Lioj saudai lioj vakaro Kločia baltų patalalį vakaro Lioj saudai lioj vakaro Guldyčia motinalį vakaro Lioj saudai lioj vakaro Ar miega motinala vakaro Lioj saudai lioj vakaro Tai miega motinala vakaro Lioj saudai lioj vakaro Sodinčia mėtytaly vakaro Lioj saudai lioj vakaro Ar žydi mėtytala vakaro Lioj saudai lioj vakaro Ar kvėpia mėtytala vakaro Lioj saudai lioj vakaro Tai žydi mėtytala vakaro Lioj saudai lioj vakaro Tai kvėpia mėtytala vakaro

Meaning

This song with the refrain "Lioj saudai lioj vakaro" can be understood as a gentle evening song about the mother and her memory. At the beginning, a white bed is made and the mother is laid down. This image can be interpreted in two ways: as a calm laying down to rest, or as a hint of farewell and eternal rest.

The song asks whether the mother is sleeping, and answers that she is. Then a little mint is planted, and the song asks whether it blooms and whether it gives fragrance. The planting of mint can be understood as a sign of memory or life beside the resting mother.

At the end, the answer comes that the little mint blooms and gives fragrance. This blooming can be read as continuing life and the survival of the mother's memory. This is one possible meaning, but the quiet evening mood and the mother motif are clear.

Symbols

White bedding
The white bed made for the mother marks rest, and perhaps also a hint of final farewell.
Sleeping mother
The mother is laid down and called sleeping. She is the center of the song's tenderness and care.
Little mint
Mint is planted, blooms, and gives fragrance. It marks memory and continuing life.

History

"Lioj Saudai, Evening" belongs to family songs in which the relation to the mother is expressed through tender evening images: a white bed is laid, the mother is laid down and called sleeping, and beside her a little mint is planted, blooming and fragrant. The constant refrain "Lioj saudai lioj vakaro" and the orderly repetition of questions and answers give the song a calm, lament-like sound.

The exact place and time of recording are not given on this page, so the song is presented according to genre features. The white bedding and sleep allow the text to be read in two ways, either as peaceful rest or as a hint of final farewell, while blooming, fragrant mint becomes a sign of memory and continuing life.

Sources