{"id":137,"date":"2013-10-07T11:49:22","date_gmt":"2013-10-07T10:49:22","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.cohesioncomputing.co.uk\/lrwebsite\/?page_id=137"},"modified":"2013-11-19T13:08:56","modified_gmt":"2013-11-19T13:08:56","slug":"the-three-orphans","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/laurenceroman.com\/?page_id=137","title":{"rendered":"H\u00e1rom \u00c1rva (The Three Orphans)"},"content":{"rendered":"<!--[if lt IE 9]><script>document.createElement('audio');<\/script><![endif]-->\n<audio class=\"wp-audio-shortcode\" id=\"audio-137-1\" preload=\"none\" style=\"width: 100%;\" controls=\"controls\"><source type=\"audio\/mpeg\" src=\"https:\/\/laurenceroman.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/10\/14-Track-14.mp3?_=1\" \/><a href=\"https:\/\/laurenceroman.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/10\/14-Track-14.mp3\">https:\/\/laurenceroman.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/10\/14-Track-14.mp3<\/a><\/audio>\n<p>The Bart\u00f3k\/Kod\u00e1ly collection of Hungarian Folksongs is, on one hand, an extraordinary ethnomusicological document and, on the other, a repository for one of Hungary\u2019s richest cultural legacies. Bart\u00f3k and Kod\u00e1ly devised a fastidious notational method enabling each nuance of every song to be faithfully recorded. There is no doubt that without their dedicated searching and cataloguing, the majority of material in the collection would, long since, have been lost without trace.<\/p>\n<p>I was to write a piece as part of the York University Spring Festival. The theme for the festival was Myth and Folklore in Music so it seemed an ideal opportunity to explore the Bart\u00f3k\/Kod\u00e1ly collection for sources. I found four versions of a song entitled H\u00e1rom \u00c1rva (Three Orphans). While each told largely the same story, they all came from different regions and were set to widely differing melodies. One was barely more than a scrap, but the most colourful parts of the other three could be edited together to create a narrative, which began:<\/p>\n<p>Yonder is a walnut tree<br \/>\nWith three branches.<br \/>\nUnderneath sit three orphans.<br \/>\nThree murderers pass that way.<\/p>\n<p>The first two melodies I chose were collected by Kod\u00e1ly, one in K\u00e1szonujfalu (1912) and the other in Gyerg\u00f3alfalu (1910). Bart\u00f3k collected the third in Teker\u00f6patak (1907). I lived in Hungary for four years and had never heard of those villages &#8211; neither had my (Hungarian) parents, when I asked them &#8211; which I only mention as it bears witness to Bart\u00f3k\u2019s and Kod\u00e1ly\u2019s dedication in scouring the remotest locations in their search.<\/p>\n<p>One of the exciting paradoxes about Hungarian folk poetry is superficial ingenuousness throwing into relief a core of great emotional sophistication. The youngest of three orphans calmly resigning to die for the sake of his brothers becomes heroic in its very understatement. There is poignancy too in the startlingly human Virgin Mary (she speaks in peasant dialect), herself bereaved of her son, sending the orphans to wake their dead mother. The mother\u2019s unsentimental explanation as to why she cannot arise from her coffin is horrific, yet highlights in its very matter-of-factness her resignation to grief at being separated from her sons. The brothers seem as unable to acknowledge the disappearance of their mother\u2019s corporeal remains as she is unable to accept the departure of her spiritual self. While describing the flight of her soul, she speaks in the most soulful way a mother could. Christian doctrine about the duality of body and spirit seems to be running in irreconcilable parallel with the peasant perception of what it is to be human. The Virgin Mary\u2019s contribution to the orphans\u2019 plight is less than useless &#8211; if anything it serves only to underline their misery &#8211; and the hopelessness of their future exists entirely in the context of a Christianity perceived as little more than peasant superstition. All the folk songs describe the orphans\u2019 desperate lot in the eventual care of their stepmother, so I superimposed all three accounts of her cruelty as a kind of bleak climax. The na\u00efve, understated epilogue seems merely to re-establish resignation to God\u2019s indifference at the plight of the poor.<\/p>\n<p>Laurence Roman,<br \/>\nYork &#8211; 6th April 2003<\/p>\n<p>H\u00e1rom \u00c1rva (The Three Orphans)<\/p>\n<p>Translation<\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\">Tova vagyon \u00ebgy div\u00f3fa, &#8212; Where the walnut tree is growing,<br \/>\nAnnaka vagyon h\u00e1rom \u00e1ga, \u00a0&#8212;\u00a0Three great branches gently blowing,<br \/>\nAz alatt \u00fcl h\u00e1rom \u00e1rva, \u00a0&#8212;\u00a0Three young orphans sleep unknowing.<br \/>\nOdam\u00ebne h\u00e1rom gyilkos.\u00a0&#8212;\u00a0Three assassins steal upon them<\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\">A nagyobbik csak azt mondja:\u00a0&#8212;\u00a0 Said the eldest, this he said:<br \/>\n\u201c\u00d6lj\u00e9t\u00ebk m\u00ebg a k\u00fcssebet!\u201d \u00a0&#8212;\u00a0\u201cKill the youngest of us, the youngest one!\u201d<br \/>\n\u201c\u00c9n n\u00ebm b\u00e1nom \u00e9d\u00ebs b\u00e1ty\u00e1m, \u00a0&#8212;\u00a0\u201cI\u2019m agreed to die, sweet brother,<br \/>\nS v\u00ebgy\u00e9tek ki a szivem\u00ebt. \u00a0&#8212;\u00a0Pluck my heart out once the deed\u2019s done.<\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\">S Moss\u00e1tok m\u00ebg \u00fcrm\u00f6s borba, \u00a0&#8212;\u00a0Wash it in sweetest of sweet wine,<br \/>\nTakarj\u00e1tok gy\u00ebngy gy\u00f3csba, \u00a0&#8212;\u00a0Wrap it up in linen so fine,<br \/>\nZ\u00e1rj\u00e1tok b\u00e9 \u00ebgy l\u00e1d\u00e1ba, \u00a0&#8212;\u00a0Lock it in a chest of strong pine;<br \/>\nVigy\u00e9t\u00ebk b\u00e9 Barass\u00f3ba. \u00a0&#8212;\u00a0Then to market, rain or shine.\u201d<\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\">T\u00ebgy\u00e9tek ki a piacra, \u00a0&#8212;\u00a0As example in the main square,<br \/>\nV\u00ebgy\u00ebn p\u00e9ld\u00e1t mind\u00ebn r\u00f3la; \u00a0&#8212;\u00a0Show it to all those who pass there,<br \/>\nHogy van az \u00e1rv\u00e1nak dolga!\u201d \u00a0&#8212;\u00a0Share the lot all orphans must share.\u201d<\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\">Elindul a h\u00e1rom \u00e1rva \u00a0&#8212;\u00a0Those three orphans roam together,<br \/>\nHosz\u00fa \u00fatra, bujdos\u00e1sra. \u00a0&#8212;\u00a0Seeking shelter from the weather.<br \/>\nAzt k\u00e9rdi a sz\u00e9p Sz\u00fcz M\u00e1rja: \u00a0&#8212;\u00a0Asks the Virgin, grace bestowing:<br \/>\n\u201cHov\u00e1 m\u00e9t te h\u00e1rom \u00e1rva?\u201d \u00a0&#8212;\u00a0\u201cWhere are you three orphans going?\u201d<\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\">\u201cMi elmegy\u00fcnk bujdos\u00e1sra, \u00a0&#8212;\u00a0\u201cSeeking shelter, Holy Mother,<br \/>\nEgyik ajt\u00f3r\u00f3l a m\u00e1sra.\u201d \u00a0&#8212;\u00a0From one doorway to the other.\u201d<br \/>\n\u201cNe menjetek, jertek vissza, \u00a0&#8212;\u00a0\u201cGo no further, come back to me.<br \/>\nAdok n\u00e9ktek h\u00e1rom vessz\u00f6t. \u00a0&#8212;\u00a0I will give you each a strong birch,<br \/>\nVerj\u00e9tek meg a temet\u00f6t.\u201d \u00a0&#8212;\u00a0Strike the graveyard at the old church.\u201d<\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\">\u201cKelj f\u00f6l, kelj f\u00f6l \u00e9desany\u00e1nk, \u00a0&#8212;\u00a0\u201cMother, rise from sleep unending,<br \/>\nMer elszakadt a gy\u00e1szguny\u00e1nk!\u201d\u00a0&#8212;\u00a0For our mourning clothes need mending!\u201d<br \/>\n\u201cNem kelhetek, \u00e9des fiam, \u00a0&#8212;\u00a0\u201cI must lie here all forgotten,<br \/>\nElrohadtak az inaim. \u00a0&#8212;\u00a0For my tendons, son, are rotten.<\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\">Elrohadtak az inaim, \u00a0&#8212;\u00a0Tendons rotten through and through now,<br \/>\nK\u00e9t karjaim s k\u00e9t l\u00e1baim. \u00a0&#8212;\u00a0Arms and legs are rotten too now.<br \/>\nA v\u00e9rem is el\u00e1roklott, \u00a0&#8212;\u00a0All my blood has turned to clay now,<br \/>\nS a lelkem is elbucsuzott.\u201d \u00a0&#8212;\u00a0And my soul has passed away now.\u201d<\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\">\u201cAdja ide, \u00e9des any\u00e1m \u00a0&#8212;\u00a0\u201cDearest mother, hear me ask it,<br \/>\nA kopors\u00f3j\u00e1nak k\u00f3cs\u00e1t, \u00a0&#8212;\u00a0Give your coffin key to me now.<br \/>\nHad\u2019 z\u00e1rjam ki kopors\u00f3j\u00e1t, \u00a0&#8212;\u00a0I will open up your casket,<br \/>\nCs\u00f3koljam meg kez\u00e9t, l\u00e1b\u00e1t.\u201d \u00a0&#8212;\u00a0Kiss your hands and set you free now.\u201d<\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\">\u201cTova m\u00ebny\u00ebn egy menyecske, \u00a0&#8212;\u00a0\u201cSee that little maiden rushing,<br \/>\nK\u00e9t orc\u00e1ja ki van festve. \u00a0&#8212;\u00a0Her two cheeks all rouged and blushing.<br \/>\nA\u2019llesz n\u00e9ktek mostoh\u00e1tok, \u00a0&#8212;\u00a0She will soon be your stepmother,<br \/>\nAki fej\u00e9rt ad r\u00eb\u00e1tok. \u00a0&#8212;\u00a0Washing linen for each brother.<\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\">Mikor fej\u00e9rt ad r\u00eb\u00e1tok, \u00a0&#8212;\u00a0Each clean shirt will scar like lashes,<br \/>\nV\u00e9rrel vir\u00e1gzik h\u00e1tatok. \u00a0&#8212;\u00a0Blood will flow as if from gashes.<br \/>\nMikor keny\u00e9rt ad kezedbe, \u00a0&#8212;\u00a0When she feeds you from her baking,<br \/>\nHull a k\u00f6nyved kebekedbe. \u00a0&#8212;\u00a0Your sad hearts will feel like breaking.<\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\">Mikor feh\u00e9rt ad r\u00eb\u00e1tok, \u00a0&#8212;\u00a0When she dresses you in clean linen,<br \/>\nVerrel vir\u00e1gzik h\u00e1tatok, \u00a0&#8212;\u00a0Your backs will blossom with blood.<br \/>\nMikor f\u00e9s\u00fcli fejet\u00ebk, \u00a0&#8212;\u00a0Drawn by combs as sharp as sickles,<br \/>\nVerrel vir\u00e1gzik f\u00e9s\u00fct\u00f6k.\u201d \u00a0&#8212;\u00a0Blood will flow in scarlet trickles.\u201d<\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\">\u201cMikor f\u00e9s\u00fcli fej\u00fcnk, \u00a0&#8212;\u00a0\u201cDrawn by combs as sharp as sickles<br \/>\nSarkunkon foly piros v\u00e9r\u00fcnk, \u00a0&#8212;\u00a0Our red blood will flow in trickles.<br \/>\nMikor keny\u00e9rt \u00e1d kez\u00fcnkbe, \u00a0&#8212;\u00a0When she feeds us from her baking,<br \/>\nHull a k\u00f6ny\u00fc kebel\u00fcnkbe.\u201d \u00a0&#8212;\u00a0Our sad hearts will feel like breaking.\u201d<\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\">\u00c9n istenem, valah\u00e1ra \u00a0&#8212;\u00a0Heavenly Father, throned in splendor,<br \/>\nTekints re\u00e1 az \u00e1rv\u00e1ra, \u00a0&#8212;\u00a0Be the orphan\u2019s sole defender,<br \/>\nHogy ne jusson bujdos\u00e1sra, \u00a0&#8212;\u00a0Shelter him and never waver<br \/>\nEgyik ajt\u00f3r\u00f3l a m\u00e1sra! \u00a0&#8212;\u00a0When he finds no worldly favour!<\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\">Translated by Laurence Roman<br \/>\nYork &#8211; 26th March 2003<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>https:\/\/laurenceroman.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/10\/14-Track-14.mp3 The Bart\u00f3k\/Kod\u00e1ly collection of Hungarian Folksongs is, on one hand, an extraordinary ethnomusicological document and, on the other, a repository for one of Hungary\u2019s richest cultural legacies. Bart\u00f3k and Kod\u00e1ly devised a fastidious notational method enabling each nuance of every song to be faithfully recorded. There is no doubt that without their dedicated searching [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":11,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-137","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/laurenceroman.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/137","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/laurenceroman.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/laurenceroman.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/laurenceroman.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/laurenceroman.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=137"}],"version-history":[{"count":7,"href":"https:\/\/laurenceroman.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/137\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":403,"href":"https:\/\/laurenceroman.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/137\/revisions\/403"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/laurenceroman.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/laurenceroman.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=137"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}