HEL’PA set by Otmar Mácha (1922-2006) is one of the best known Slovak folk songs bearing the name of a village in the Low Tatra Mountains with its catchy tune, life and rhythm. SSAA Choir with Recorder, Piano and Percussion. Grade: M Duration: 3:30

TRANSLATION:

Oh, my voice is spinning around the hillside. God, bring back to me my good looking fella in front of my eyes. Tell me, Danube, quiet water, whether I should get married yet or whether it would be a shame. I have been waiting here for a long time so I could sing nicely in Hel’pa. Hey, my voice, my virginal voice, I lost you yesterday at this time. That Hel’pa is a beautiful village, but there are too few good looking fellas. What they are, that they are, I don’t care about them; only after one does my heart ache. After John, after Paul, I wouldn’t even make a step. After George, after Michael, I would jump over the Danube. Also the vast field…I am longing after only one fella, my joy (my one true love).

This song is No. 5 from the cycle, Spring Celebrations (“Slavnosti jara”)