Sayat-Nova, an Armenian poet

Sayat-Nova was an Armenian poet, musician, and ashugh, who had compositions in several languages.

The Armenian Poet-Singer was born in the year 1712 in the small village of Sanahin. His real name was Haroutiun Sayakian, but he was better known as Sayat Nova, the King of songs.

It was an honor bestowed on him by his nation for his genius. He became popular from his boyhood itself for his exceptional skill with the three-stringed violin type of musical instrument known as kemenche (Kamancheh) and his expert interpretation of folk songs. Even at this early age, he was known for his poetic skills.

One of his poems

I BEHELD MY LOVE THIS MORNING

I beheld my love this morning
I beheld my love this morning, in the garden paths she strayed,
All brocaded was ground with prints her golden patterns made;
Like the nightingale, I warbled around my rose with wings displayed,
And I wept, my reason faltered, while my heart was sore and dismayed.
Grant, O Lord, that all my foemen to such grief may be betrayed!
Love, with these thy whims and humor thou hast wrecked and ruined me.
Thou hast drunk of love’s nectar, thy lips speak entrancingly.
With those honeyed words how many like me thou hast bound to thee!
Take the knife and slay me straightway-pass not by me mockingly.
Since I die of love, ‘their better Beauty stabbed and set me free.
For I have no love beside thee-I would have thee know it well.
Thou for whom e’en death I’d suffer, list to what I have to tell.
See thou thwart not thy Creator,-all the past do not dispel:
Anger not thy Sayat Nova, for when in thy snare he fell
He was all bereft of reason by thy whims’ and humor’ spell.

P. S

Չըկա քիզի նըման,
Չըկա քիզի նըման.
Քիզ նըման,
Քիզ նըման,
Դո՛ւն իս, աննըմա՛ն

Nouné Yeranosian