Slavic Paganism at Eurovision 🎵

BryWisteria · May 31, 2021, 8:51am

Greetings to all!

To those unfamiliar with it, Eurovision is a yearly music competition between countries. It’s a bit like American Idol, but with each singer/group representing their country.

Although I live in Europe now, I am an American and many of the details around Eurovision still go right over my head My Polish partner has tried to explain things to me many times, but it’s this crazy mix of politics and… well, craziness that I just can’t seem to wrap my head around

[From BuzzFeed: Eurovision Explained for Americans]

This year, my favorite song was by a very talented artist called Go_A from Ukraine.

Aside from being an absolute banger, the song draws on Ukrainian folklore and Slavic Paganism, which is really neat! You can view it here:

You can view English lyrics by clicking “CC” at the bottom of the video, but I’ll also post them here:

SHUM by Go_A

Oh Spring song, Spring song
Where have you spent your Winter?
In the garden, sitting on a maple tree
You’ve been spinning a shirt.
There on the edge of a forest
An owl is blowing into the water.
I’ll sing a song –
Let her hear it.
Shum, get twined with periwinkle
I’m singing the vesnyanka to you.
Sowing, sowing, sowing, sowing hemp plants,
Sowing, sowing, sowing, sowing green ones.
Come Spring, come
Don’t wait around
We’ll go outside
to love each other.
Oh Spring, our Miss,
Look in our window.
We had sang our song
And the Sun shined on.

[Full lyrics at source: wiwibloggs]

From reading comments on various sites, it seems that the song is about the re-awakening of nature at the spring solstice through appealing to the God of the Forest (Shum) I feel like Shum could be a face of the Green Man/Horned Man

We don’t see too much about Slavic Paganism in the forum, so I thought I’d share it! I’ve also been playing it non-stop for a week

Enjoy!

Limeberry · May 31, 2021, 9:57am

Yay Eurovision!
This was one of my favourite songs this year! It took me back to my Polish folk dancing days… and the after-parties
Haha thanks for sharing!

christina4 · May 31, 2021, 10:21am

Thank you for introducing me to Eurovision!!! This is right up my alley!!! I love the band you showed!!! They were amazing I love it all from the bands attire, the music, the lyrics, her voice, the dancing and how everyone ripped off the hazmat suits. Thank you for this!!! I need to look more into Slavic Paganism.

IrisW · May 31, 2021, 11:05am

Eurovision is bizarre but addictive. That song is fabulous.

I watch it partly for the sometimes bonkers songs, and partly for the amusing commentary.

Once again the UK got nil points, Europe really isn’t keen on us at the moment!

Amethyst · May 31, 2021, 4:26pm

Very interesting! I liked it but it was a little too clubby for me. I’m used to the symphonic metal like Nightwish and Withing Temptation. LOL. Now, Floor, the lead on Nightwish, she can belt out a tune!

IrisW · May 31, 2021, 6:38pm

I’m going see Evanescence next year (rearranged for the second or third time from last year because Covid) and they’re being supported by Within Temptation. Really looking forward to it.

Amethyst · June 1, 2021, 12:09am

OOOH! You lucky person! I’d love to see that concert, two of my favorite groups! You’ll enjoy it!

BryWisteria · June 1, 2021, 3:42am

That sounds like so much fun, @Limeberry! That’s so cool that you did Polish folk dancing!!!

It is a wild time - I’m so glad you liked it, @Christina4! This year’s Eurovision is over, but all of the songs and performances are on YouTube, so if you’re hoping for more, there is plenty out there! As for Go_A, she has another gorgeous song with Slavic Pagan vibes that I love:

I think you did a great job summing up Eurovision, @IrisW I could not figure out the voting system- all I know is that my partner was on an emotional rollercoaster when they were giving out the votes and oh my gosh- that’s amazing you are going to see Evanescence!!!

If metal is more your style, @Amethyst, maybe you’d like Italy’s entry this year! The Italian metal rock band Måneskin won the whole competition

Susurrus · June 1, 2021, 12:34pm

I have never heard of EuroVision before, or if I have, I didn’t realize what it was. I love music festivals. I have gone to a couple here where there were different bands & activities going on around the venue & you could walk around & see or hear whatever tickled your fancy! I will check this out on YouTube though! Thank you for sharing!

Amethyst · June 1, 2021, 1:05pm

Sigh. Evidently that video isn’t available in my country. I hate it when that happens. I’ll keep an eye out for it though, sounds interesting.

sarah29 · June 1, 2021, 1:31pm

I LOVE the song, @BryWisteria !

Funny all I know of Eurovision is from that movie with Will Ferrell and Rachel McAdams.

I’d love to hear all of y’all’s witchy music!!

BryWisteria · June 2, 2021, 5:12am

You’re very welcome, @Susurrus! Reading your post made me miss summer concerts- hopefully we’ll be able to hear more live music this year!

Naughty Eurovision for blocking songs to the US! Sorry @Amethyst- the band has their own official YouTube Channel, so maybe this version of the song will work for you?

Awesome, @sarah29! It is pretty catchy As for witchy music- glad you brought it up! We’ve had a few threads collecting witchy music in the past, feel free to check them out if you’re interested- and def share your fave witchy tunes too!

Blessed be!

Amethyst · June 2, 2021, 6:53pm

OOH, thank you! Much more my speed.

RyuWyn · September 18, 2021, 3:15am

I really liked that song.

This is the first year I’m aware of Eurovision just because a band I like very much was there, it’s Daði Freyr, they’re from Iceland and they’re are soooo good!

The song you shared reminded me a little bit of Onuka, another Ucranian band that I admire a lot.

Thank you for sharing! What a nice discovery

BryWisteria · September 20, 2021, 5:41am

So glad you liked it, @RyuWyn! And that’s funny you mention it- my partner loves the song they performed at Eurovision. We keep hearing it on the radio too! It’s quite catchy

I had to look up Onuka- although YouTube says I already have one of their songs saved in a playlist! I love ZENIT, but now I’ll have to check out more of their tunes too!

Thanks for the recommendation, WhiteFox! Looks like we’ll be counting down the days until Eurovision next year- can’t wait to hear the next batch of songs!