For decades, the Ukrainian riflemen’s song «Ой у лузі червона калина» has symbolized national resistance and aspirations for freedom. Originating from a 17th-century Cossack song, it was a beloved anthem for Ukrainian Sich Riflemen in WWI. 

Since the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, it has become an incredibly popular song in Ukraine and worldwide. 

By Wouter Hagens — Own work, Public Domain

Калина, or viburnum is one of the national symbols of Ukraine, embodying life and death. Its red color is associated with blood and war, but it is also a metaphor for revival and love for Ukraine.

Would you like to find out more about Ukrainian floral symbols? Check out Episode 128 of the Ukrainian Lessons Podcast and practice your Ukrainian!

In «Ой у лузі червона калина», viburnum is synonymous with Ukraine. The lyrics start with the sadness of Ukraine as a bent viburnum and end with a confident statement — Ukraine will be cheered up and viburnum raised. 

Learn the Ukrainian and English lyrics of this song and enjoy its most popular interpretations! 

Ой у лузі червона калина похилиласяOh, in the meadow red viburnum bent down
Чогось наша славна Україна зажурилася.For some reason, our glorious Ukraine is distressed.
Приспів (повторити два рази):Chorus (repeat two times):
А ми тую червону калину підіймемо,But we will raise that red viburnum!
А ми нашу славну Україну, гей-гей, розвеселимо!And we will cheer our glorious Ukraine up, hey-hey!
Не хилися, червона калино, маєш білий цвіт,Do not bend low, oh red viburnum, you have a white flower,
Не журися, славна Україно, маєш вільний рід.Do not worry, glorious Ukraine, you have free people.
Приспів (повторити два рази):Chorus (repeat two times):
А ми тую червону калину підіймемо,But we will raise that red viburnum!
А ми нашу славну Україну, гей-гей, розвеселимо!And we will cheer our glorious Ukraine up, hey-hey!
Марширують наші добровольці у кривавий тан,Marching forward, our fellow volunteers, into a bloody fray,
Визволяти братів-українців з московських кайдан.To free our brother Ukrainians from Moscow shackles.
Приспів (повторити два рази):Chorus (repeat two times):
А ми тую червону калину підіймемо,But we will raise that red viburnum!
А ми нашу славну Україну, гей-гей, розвеселимо!And we will cheer our glorious Ukraine up, hey-hey!
Як повіє буйнесенький вітер з широких степів,When the stormy wind blows forth from the wide steppes,
То прославить по всій Україні січових стрільців.Then it will glorify the Sich riflemen throughout Ukraine.
Приспів (повторити два рази):Chorus (repeat two times):
А ми тую червону калину підіймемо,But we will raise that red viburnum!
А ми нашу славну Україну, гей-гей, розвеселимо!And we will cheer our glorious Ukraine up, hey-hey!

Андрій Хливнюк, frontman of a popular Ukrainian band Бумбокс, sang this song near the St. Sophia Cathedral in Kyiv while patrolling the capital in the ranks of territorial defense. His performance became so popular that The Kyivness created a lively remix.

«Ой у лузі червона калина» unites Ukrainians and locals abroad. In Lithuania, Ukrainian refugees and Vilnius citizens sang this song on the main square of the capital while Poles even performed it in a Catholic church in Warsaw.

Also, enjoy Pink Floyd and Ukrainian servicemen’s renditions of the song with unique footage of Ukraine!

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You can find more popular Ukrainian songs and their lyrics with translation in our category Songs!

Would you like to learn to understand more Ukrainian?
Check our article about the best Ukrainian radio stations online and prepare your ear for a lot of listening. Or learn Ukrainian wherever you are with our free Ukrainian Lessons Podcast.