Who Is That Young Rider? lyrics and meaning
Kaksai tynai bernaitėlis
Per laukų atjoj /x2
Širmų žirgų dymu balnu
Sidabro šoblalėm /x2
Kai aš jojau per laukelį
Laukelis dundėj /x2
Ė po mana žirga kojom
Ugnela žibėj /x2
Kai nusėdau nuo žirgelio
Žirgas nusižving /x2
Kai pririšau un tvaralį
Lenciūgai žvangėj /x2
Who Is That Young Rider?: song interpretation
This dialectal song can be understood as a striking portrait of a young rider. At the beginning, the song asks who that young man is, riding across the field. He rides a grey horse with a smoky saddle and a silver sabre. These images can be interpreted as the picture of a handsome, brave young man.
The song then tells how, as he rode across the field, the field thundered and little flames shone beneath the horse's feet. These images suggest a powerful, fiery horse and emphasize the rider's force.
When he dismounts, the horse neighs; when he ties it to the fence, the chains ring. These sounds can be interpreted as signs of life and arrival. The whole song can be understood as an idealized image of youth and masculinity. That is one possible reading, but admiration for the young rider is plain.
Who Is That Young Rider?: symbols and phrases
- Young man on the grey horse
- The young man riding across the field signifies an ideal of youth and masculinity.
- Silver sabre
- The silver sword at the rider's side marks courage and high standing.
- Thundering field and little fire
- The earth thundering and fire flashing under the horse's feet signal a powerful, fiery horse.
- Neighing horse and ringing chains
- The sounds that accompany the rider's arrival signify vitality and strength.
Who Is That Young Rider?: song history
"Who Is That Young Rider?" belongs to youth songs that highlight the image of a decorated and brave young man: the rider crosses the field on a grey horse, with a smoky saddle and a silver sabre. The silver sabre adds a military shade, but the song does not narrate war or battle; it admires youth and manly presence, so it is closer to the youth repertoire. The repeated "/x2" line endings indicate a couplet-based singing pattern.
The exact recording place and time are not given on the page, so the song is presented by genre; the text is written dialectally, with forms such as "kaksai," "tynai," "dymu balnu," and "šoblalėm." The powerful horse image - the thundering field, little fire under the hooves, neighing, and the ringing of chains - emphasizes the rider's strength and the ceremony of his arrival.
sources
- Lithuanian Folk Songbook, vols. 1-23, Vilnius 1980-2011 (LLTI)
- Catalogue of Lithuanian Folk Songs, 6 vols., Vilnius 1972-1986
Who Is That Young Rider?: sources
Who Is That Young Rider?: frequently asked questions
What kind of song is this?
It is a youth song admiring the image of a decorated and brave young rider crossing the field on a grey horse.
What does the silver sabre signify?
The silver sabre suggests the rider's courage and high standing. It adds a military shade, although the song is not about war.
What do the thundering field and fire under the hooves mean?
They are signs of a powerful, fiery horse, emphasizing the rider's force and impressive movement.
Why does the language sound unusual?
The song is written in dialectal forms, such as "kaksai," "tynai," "dymu balnu," "šoblalėm," and "nusižving."