Redovy
The Bridal Dance
The last dance of a Lemko, Carpatho-Rusyn, or eastern Slovak wedding before the bride and groom
leave the reception is usually reserved for Redovy (Radovy, Rjadovyj) or the Bridal Dance.
All the guests at the reception line up for a last chance to dance with the bride.
It is customary to donate money to the newly wed couple for the priveledge of the dance.
The money is put into an apron, basket, plate, or decorated box before
dancing with the bride.
The starosta (master of ceremonies) keeps the line moving, allowing only a few turns before
cutting in for the next guest's chance to dance and share with the bride their good wishes
before she and the groom begin their new life.
After each guest dances with the bride, they may receive a drink and a piece of the freshly
cut wedding cake or pastry.
The song playing in the background now is the traditional eastern Slovak version of Redovy
or the Bridal Dance.
We have several arrangements of this song available for purchase at the
Slovak Music Shop.
Rich Custer has an interesting article on variations of the
Bridal Dance
as part of his comprehensive web site article on Lemko Customs and
traditions. Well worth the visit.
Their are many variations in lyrics dependant upon what village the families were from.
Ed Bayus quoted us that there are well over 120 verses to the song that he knows of.
The version we are most familiar with starts out...
Nasa mlada jak babka
Nasa mlada jak babka
zacepila ju svatka
zacepila ju svatka
Other versions begin with...
Redovy sa zacina
Redovy sa zacina
svatka kolac nacina
svatka kolac nacina
or
Tota krasna nevista
Tota krasna nevista
lem pre tebe vyrosla
lem pre tebe vyrosla
Some of the better know and more popular verses of Redovy are....
Nasa mlada recece
Nasa mlada recece
Nechcela jesc perece
Nechcela jesc perece
Lem by jedla jablucka
Lem by jedla jablucka
zeby bula cenucka
zeby bula cenucka
Jak sa Pan Boh raduje
Jak sa Pan Boh raduje
starsi druzba tancuje
starsi druzba tancuje
Each verse, when played or sung at a normal tempo takes about 15 seconds to complete. A dance
running 15 or 20 minutes can go through a lot of verses. A great opening verse in English is....
Won't you come and dance with me
Won't you come and dance with me
Oh! how happy I will be
Oh! how happy I will be
Like many other Rusyn or Slovak songs sung by second or third generation immigrants,
the words may be familiar but the meaning unknown.
The words seem to have a serious and almost religious aire about them but the
translation can be a surprise.
Some verses are risque, some are just strange. We'll leave the risque verses for you to
find on your own but include on this page a few of the more unusual ones.....
Put some money in the plate
Put some money in the plate
for her high veiled bridal cap.
for her high veiled bridal cap.
Play musicians, play for me.
Play musicians, play for me.
On my happy wedding day.
On my happy wedding day.
Put some money in the plate.
Put some money in the plate.
Let the whole family help out.
Let the whole family help out.
The money is not enough.
The money is not enough.
Let the starosta help out.
Let the starosta help out.
Little sister takes a spin.
Little sister takes a spin.
She no longer shares her room.
She no longer shares her room.
The Bride would be happier,
The Bride would be happier,
if the groom was dancing with her.
if the groom was dancing with her.
Our bride is beautiful,
Our bride is beautiful,
but does she know how to cook.
but does she know how to cook.
and one the the strangest verses that I will let you translate for yourself as there are
only seven words...
Nasa mlada nevista
Nasa mlada nevista
Lem by jila kapustu.
Lem by jila kapustu.
The last to dance before the groom are the family of the bride and groom.
Father dances with the bride.
Father dances with the bride.
He's so proud of his little girl.
He's so proud of his little girl.
Now the mother takes a turn.
Now the mother takes a turn.
Soon to have a family of her own.
Soon to have a family of her own.
After the final guest completes their dance with the bride, the groom takes his turn
as the last verses play.....
The bride dancing with the groom.
The bride dancing with the groom.
What a lovely couple they make.
What a lovely couple they make.
Take the bride away with you.
Take the bride away with you.
and love her till your death.
and love her till your death.
Vozmi ty ju ku sobi
Vozmi ty ju ku sobi
a miluj ju do smerti
a miluj ju do smerti
As the song ends, the bride and groom both leave the reception together.
If we left out your favorite verse or missed an important part of the tradition as
you know it, leave email to
redovy@iarelative.com and we will add
it to the page.
Czech Bohemian and Moravian Genealogical Research
Index Page Genealogical Research in Slovakia
Index Page Slovak Genealogical Research Channel
Last updated on 06 October 2006
Graphics by Lori's Heavenly Creations
Rjadovji (Bridal Dance) courtesy of Randall Kopchak and Jam Publications