Three Oaks in the Yard lyrics and meaning
Vidur dvaro trys užuolai,
Tūto betūto,
Tūto, tūto, tūto betūto.
Ne užuolai --- trys broliukai,
Tūto betūto,
Tūto, tūto, tūto betūto.
Visų trijų vienas žirgas,
Tūto betūto,
Tūto, tūto, tūto betūto.
Vyriausiojo tymas balnas,
Tūto betūto,
Tūto, tūto, tūto betūto.
Vidurinio kamanėlės,
Tūto betūto,
Tūto, tūto, tūto betūto.
O jauniausio pats žirgelis,
Tūto betūto,
Tūto, tūto, tūto betūto.
Vidur dvaro trys liepelės,
Tūto betūto,
Tūto, tūto, tūto betūto.
Ne liepelės --- trys sesutės,
Tūto betūto,
Tūto, tūto, tūto betūto.
Visų trijų vienas kraitis,
Tūto betūto,
Tūto, tūto, tūto betūto.
Vyriausiajai --- plonos drobės,
Tūto betūto,
Tūto, tūto, tūto betūto.
Viduriniai --- rankovėlės,
Tūto betūto,
Tūto, tūto, tūto betūto.
O jauniausiai --- margos juostos,
Tūto betūto,
Tūto, tūto, tūto betūto.
Meaning
This song with the refrain "tūto betūto" can be understood as a parallel song about brothers and sisters. At the beginning, the song says that in the middle of the yard stand three oaks, but not oaks, three brothers. The comparison of oaks and brothers can be read as a common folk-song image.
Then the brothers' share is divided: the three have one horse; the eldest has the leather saddle, the middle one the bridle, and the youngest the horse itself. These images can be understood as the division of brothers' property.
At the end, the same structure is transferred to three lindens, who are three sisters: the three have one dowry; the eldest receives fine linen, the middle one sleeves, and the youngest variegated sashes. These images can be read as the division of the sisters' dowry. This is one possible meaning, but the motif of brother and sister divisions, comparing them with trees, is clear.
Symbols
- Three oaks, three brothers
- Three brothers compared with three oaks mark a familiar Lithuanian song image.
- One horse divided
- The saddle, bridle, and horse divided among the brothers mark division of brothers' property.
- Three lindens, three sisters
- Three sisters compared with three lindens create the parallel image.
- One dowry divided
- The linen, sleeves, and sashes divided among the sisters mark division of the sisters' dowry.
History
"Three Oaks in the Yard" belongs to family songs about brothers and sisters, with the repeated refrain "tūto betūto." The song is built on negative parallelism: first it says that in the middle of the yard stand three oaks, then immediately denies it, "not oaks, but three brothers." In the second part, the same scheme is transferred to three lindens, who are three sisters.
The exact place and time of recording are not given on this page, so the song is presented according to genre features. Both sides then symmetrically list divisions: one horse for three brothers, saddle, bridle, and the horse itself; one dowry for three sisters, fine linen, sleeves, and variegated sashes. The oak compared with brothers and the linden with sisters is a regular image in Lithuanian songs, while the refrain "tūto betūto" sustains a circular rhythm.
Sources
- Lietuvių liaudies dainynas, vols. 1-23, Vilnius 1980-2011 (LLTI)
- Lietuvių liaudies dainų katalogas, 6 vols., Vilnius 1972-1986
- Universal Lithuanian Encyclopedia: Lithuanian folk songs
- Universal Lithuanian Encyclopedia: family songs
- LLTI: Lithuanian Folk Songbook
Common questions
Three Oaks in the Yard: what kind of song is this?
It is a family song about brothers and sisters, built on parallel imagery and the repeated refrain "tūto betūto."
Why are brothers compared with oaks and sisters with lindens?
In Lithuanian songs, oak is associated with men and brothers, while linden is associated with women and sisters. This is a common song image.
What do the divisions of one horse and one dowry mean?
Three brothers share one horse through saddle, bridle, and horse itself, while three sisters share one dowry through linen, sleeves, and sashes.
What does the refrain "tūto betūto" mean?
It is a repeated refrain after each line. It sustains the rhythm of the song or circle dance.