"Katerina", poem of Taras Shevchenko (translated by John Weir)
The song centers on one of the most famous warnings in Ukrainian literature:
The child grows up to be a guide for a blind Ukrainian bard ( kobzar ), representing the survival of the Ukrainian spirit despite imperial oppression.
The verses KRISTONKO sings are the introduction to a tragic narrative poem and painting by Shevchenko. The poem tells the story of:
The song by KRISTONKO (Khrystyna Khrystonko) is a modern musical adaptation of the opening lines of the poem "Kateryna" , written by Ukraine’s national poet, Taras Shevchenko , in 1838. The Core Message
KRISTONKO had the melody for these specific verses in her head for over six months before finally recording it. She aimed to present Shevchenko’s words in a way that would resonate with every modern Ukrainian.