Regisong Podcast: Recent Episodes
Estonian Traditional Music Centre
Introduction to the Regisong Podcast
What is Regisong? Regisong, Regilaul, Runic song, Runo song, and Folk songs in runic verse are synonyms to Estonian folk songs’ oral tradition. These folk songs carry the wisdom and knowledge of thousands of years about the Estonian’s culture and survival strategies. These songs weaved together with people and nature give us a unique artistic vision and understanding of life’s ways. “It (Regisongs) has a quality to work as an incantation or a spell that can heal and regenerate a person” (Lauri Õunapuu – Regilaul: Song of the Ancient Sea). A tremendous amount of work has been done in Estonia to preserve and revive them, to systematize and analyze its lyrics in depth. Due to all these efforts, The Estonian Folklore Archive holds almost a million Regisongs today. The devotion and hard work of the earliest researchers of Regisongs have produced easy access to numerous collections of albums, publications, and resources (hardcopy and online). These works ascertain the importance of Regisongs as a bearer of traditional Estonian culture, providing a sense of security and belonging to many people for years. It embodies that these songs are simple, beautiful, and work as a breath of fresh Estonian air, which provides a sense of home.
With such tenacity, the Regisong Podcast Series has been born. The podcast aims to offer its listeners an opportunity to listen to ancient Estonian Regi songs’ traditional performances. Set within the poetic characteristics, it delves into reinvigorating the vanishing uses of the Regi verse. This podcast series presents ten Regisongs belonging to a different age. The singers who made the performance belongs from various Estonia parts and share a deep and profound relationship with the songs. Further narrated with eloquence and grace by Indrek Koff in his words, adds meaning, introduces the themes in the songs, background stories related to them, and relevance in today’s time.
The Podcast series is accompanied by the unique & soulful voices of: Peter Volkonski, Liisi Koikson, Celia Roose, Melika Hainsoo, Priit Pedajas, Kaido Kama, Mari Kalkun, Timu Kalmu, Ando Kiviberg, & Lauri Õunapuu Without the collaboration of few people, the series would not have seen the light of the day. Therefore, the gratitude for the kind courtesy goes to: Advisor: Janika Oras (Scientist and Custodian of the Sound Collection at the Estonian Folklore Archive)
Narrated by: Indrek Koff, Hasso Krull Artistic Leader: Lauri Õunapuu (Estonian traditional musician) Translated by Pirjo Leek Transcribed by: Kirsika Mersmaa (Assistant of Estonian Traditional Music Centre) Edited by: Kikee D. Bhutia (Folklorists at University of Tartu)
Estonian Traditional Music Centre www.folk.ee
The foundation are the verses written in Haljala parish in 1894 by J.M. Riste (EKM ERA, E11626/7), and from Kuusalu parish in 1905 from Anna-Leena Mikiver (EKM ERA, EÜS II 537/8 (40)), collected by Peeter Penna and Karl Luud.
Based on a phonograph recording of Anna Kivu's song from Setumaa, which she recorded on a wax roll in 1922 by Finnish folklorist and musicologist Armas Otto Vaisänen (SKS, Väisänen 1922: 7–8; phonocop. 81–11).
Song by Miina Lambot and Anna Paalberg from Kuusalu Parish, recorded by Herbert Tampere and August Pulst for State Broadcasting in Tallinn in 1938 (EKM ERA, ERA, Pl. 86 B1).
From 1890, a collection of verses called "Kure eit" was written in Lüganuse parish. (EKM ERA, H II 3, 650 (263)), collector Hindrik (Heinrich) French. Liisi Rikka's song from Lüganuse parish in 1962 formed the basis of the melody. (EKM ERA, RKM Mgn II 744 c). Recorded by Herbert Tampere.
Chorus: Sulev Salm
Lauri Õunapuu, Janika Oras and Urmas Kalla have edited the Mardisong (Folk holiday) texts of Karula, Antsla and Urvaste parishes. The melody is based on Marie Nutt song from Rõuge Parish in 1972. The song was recorded by Herbert Tampere and Ottilie Kõiva (EKM ERA, RKM, Mgn. II 106 a) and written in 1909 in Karula. (EKM ERA, EÜS VI 203 (43)). Alfred Mõttus, August Kiiss, and Jaan Sossi were collectors of the latter. Chorus: Kaido Kama, Laas Õunapuu, Agu Trolla ja Uku Freiberg
The lyrics are adapted from Gustav Johannes Treumann's 1874 and 1876. These verses written at Risti and Harju-Madis parishes (e.g., EKM ERA, EKMS 4, 591 (7) and H I 4, 171 (29)). The melody is adapted from 1909 A song by four women from Karula parish near the Väheru poppy (EKM ERA, EÜS VI 196 (7)) collected by August Kiiss.
Anne Türnpu composed the song based on a text compiled from similar songs in various parishes and a melody inspired by regisong motifs.
Chorus: Tuuli Maarja Põldma
The first of these three songs with similar motifs were collected in 1845, from Karuse Parish by Jaan and Juhan Jaanson (H II 33, 117/20 (80)). In 1890 the second song was collected by Johannes (Johann) Reise (H II 11, 770/1 (58)) in Väike-Maarja parish. The third song was recorded in 1962 by Herbert Tampere from Kristjan Kiviloo from Kuusalu parish (EKM ERA, RKM Mgn II 734 a). The melody is borrowed from the third recording. Chorus: Liida Mägi
The song has a rich history. It is based on a text extracted from a publication called "Vana Kannel II: Songs of the Kolga-Jaani parish" by Mihkel Lemmerkänd (collector/folklorists). He falsely presented them as the song written by E.W. from Sõrve and sent it to Jakod Hurt in 1897. Later, Mari Lepik edited and reused the text by M. Lemmerkännu (H II 58, 363 (1)) in addition to the songs collected from Tiiu Pihler from Kihelkonna Parish in 1898 by August Niemi and Nikolai Kann and from Pöide Parish in 1892 by Jakob Ilves and Johann Keerig were used (EKM ERA, H II 66, 375/7 (309) and 35, 326/7 (188)).8)). Mari Lepik contributed highly to the lyrics of the present recordings. The melody was recorded by Herbert Tampere in 1960 from Marie Martinfeld in Jämaja parish. (EKM ERA, RKM Mgn II 344 b)
Chorus: Triin Kilgas ja Ainika Jakobson
A song written in 1913 by Karl Viljak and Karl Voldemar Rosenstrauch. It was sung by Jüri Veissmann of Kadrina Parish, based on a text compiled by Matthias Johann Eisen from songs of different parishes. (EKM ERA, EÜS X 2535 (82))
Chorus: Tiit Saare, Kalmer Kaasiku, Jaan Sarv, Lauri Õunapuu ja Jako Reinaste
- Brother's War Tale. Collected from Kadrina Parish (Mari Kullamägi). Edited by Herbert Tampere. Collected by Karl Viljak & Karl Voldemar Rosenstrauch. (EKM ERA, X 2534 (79), 2502 and 2694/7 (267).
- The Home Of The Sad. Collected from Palamuse Parish (Mari Mets). Lyrics by Hans Karu (Karro) (EKM ERA, EKS 48, 11 (3).
1891 [1913]. Pacified Forest. Collected from Haljala Parish (Anu Tamberg). Recorded by Julius Aleksander Rehnberg (Reepärg) (EKM ERA, H II 38, 131 (6). Tohver Klembork.Transcribed by Julius Mark and Karl Viljak (EKM ERA, EÜS X 1444 (23) & 1703 (278).
07 Meelika Hainsoo- Jewellery Gone Missing. Narrated By Indrek Koff by Estonian Traditional Music Centre
1935 [1936]. Jagujee. Wedding song. Collected from Hargla Parish (Liis Peltser). Recorded by Herbert Tampere (EKM ERA, Fon 440 c) & Herbert Tampere and August Pulst (EKM ERA, Pl 24 B2).
- The Frost Freezes Me. Collected from Järva-Madise parish (Ann Beiler). Transcribed by Peeter Penna & Voldemar Rosenstrauch (EKM ERA, EÜS VII 1606 (124), EKM ERA, EÜS VII 1501/90 (364).
- The War Song Of The Turkish War. Collected from Kuusalu Parish. Recorded by Kristjan Kiviloo. (EKM ERA, RKM Mgn II 734 a) & Herbert Tampere.
1878[1912]. The Book Of The French War. Collected from Jaan Bergmann (H, Kolga-Jaani 3, 38 (37). Transcribed by Tõnis Leppik (EKM ERA, EÜS IX 124 (4))
- Swing And Sail. Collected from Urvaste Parish (Eliisabet Teos). Recorded by. Herbert Tampere (EKM ERA, Fon 355 b).
- Wear And Tear Of Gold. In Uus regilaulik. Collected from Emilie Klaus Jõelähtme Parish. Transcribed by. Karl Viljak ja Gustav Vilbaste 1913.y. (EKM ERA, EÜS X 2152 (25) & 2035 (268)). Edited by. Ülo Tedre and Veljo Tormis. SP Muusikaprojekt; Tallinn
- The War Song Of The Turkish War. Collected from Kuusalu Parish. Recorded by Kristjan Kiviloo. (EKM ERA, RKM Mgn II 734 a) & Herbert Tampere.
1878[1912]. The Book Of The French War. Collected from Jaan Bergmann (H, Kolga-Jaani 3, 38 (37). Transcribed by Tõnis Leppik (EKM ERA, EÜS IX 124 (4))
- Swing And Sail. Collected from Urvaste Parish (Eliisabet Teos). Recorded by. Herbert Tampere (EKM ERA, Fon 355 b).
- Wear And Tear Of Gold. In Uus regilaulik. Collected from Emilie Klaus Jõelähtme Parish. Transcribed by. Karl Viljak ja Gustav Vilbaste 1913.y. (EKM ERA, EÜS X 2152 (25) & 2035 (268)). Edited by. Ülo Tedre and Veljo Tormis. SP Muusikaprojekt; Tallinn
1935 [1936]. Jagujee. Wedding song. Collected from Hargla Parish (Liis Peltser). Recorded by Herbert Tampere (EKM ERA, Fon 440 c) & Herbert Tampere and August Pulst (EKM ERA, Pl 24 B2).
- The Home Of The Sad. Collected from Palamuse Parish (Mari Mets). Lyrics by Hans Karu (Karro) (EKM ERA, EKS 48, 11 (3).
- Brother's War Tale. Collected from Kadrina Parish (Mari Kullamägi). Edited by Herbert Tampere. Collected by Karl Viljak & Karl Voldemar Rosenstrauch. (EKM ERA, X 2534 (79), 2502 and 2694/7 (267).
1891 [1913]. Pacified Forest. Collected from Haljala Parish (Anu Tamberg). Recorded by Julius Aleksander Rehnberg (Reepärg) (EKM ERA, H II 38, 131 (6). Tohver Klembork.Transcribed by Julius Mark and Karl Viljak (EKM ERA, EÜS X 1444 (23) & 1703 (278).
- Jewellery Gone Missing. Collected from Peetri Parish (Liisa Rentel). By Karl Viljak & Karl Voldemar Rosenstrauch (EKM ERA, EÜS IX 932 (1) ja 1007/9 (93)).
- The Frost Freezes Me. Collected from Järva-Madise parish (Ann Beiler). Transcribed by Peeter Penna & Voldemar Rosenstrauch (EKM ERA, EÜS VII 1606 (124), EKM ERA, EÜS VII 1501/90 (364).