Whirling Heart

The language of this song differs from the literary Lemu Teloku, as it is a folk song and uses dialect words and constructions.

Verse 1

Ni Muj Pani Li Aruva

ni muj pani li aruva

I walked along the trail

Vw Oica Omi Olj

vö oisha omi olj

Where the dust is blue

Itlla Men Kwleki Havvi

itlla men köleki havvi

Like an old lamp

Mymi Muj Tagati Ajm

mÿmi muj tagati ajm

The sun hung above

Pi Muj Jami A Ajeki

pi muj jami a ajeki

You were standing by the well

Vi Kateti Jo Kti Ni

vi kateti jo kti ni

And you laughed not for me

Men Kti Mirina Iraj Muj

men kti mirina iraj muj

But instead for the wind that

Piko Du Leuni Pi

piko du leuni pi

Played in your hair

Chorus

Aafr; Lori Mi Laki

aafr; lori mi laki

Ehey, the heart is whirling

Of; I Lori Ni Tikna

of; i lori ni tikna

Oh, this silly heart of mine

Etlle Pi Mi Ic Pani?

etlle pi mi ish pani?

Where are you rushing?

Ow Ido A Vw

oö ido a vö

There is nothing there

Aafr; Lori Mi Laki

aafr; lori mi laki

Ehey, the heart is whirling

Of; Iraj Men Ojena

of; iraj men ojena

Oh, the one that truly is insane

Etlle Pi Mi Ic Pani?

etlle pi mi ish pani?

Where are you rushing?

Ow Ido A Vw

oö ido a vö

There is nothing there

Verse 2

Pi Muj Lemu, Jo Mi Erri

pi muj lemu, jo mi erri

You said: don’t wait

Muka Ni Mi Tanik; Of

muka ni mi tanik; of

Because I am (like) a bird, oh

Ac Ni Muj Kateti Irni

ash ni muj kateti irni

But I laughed that I

Muj Tamato Ik Mi Cif

muj tamato ik mi shif

Am trained to (use) a net

Ac Re Cif Ni Muj Tagraca

ash re shif ni muj tagrasha

But alas my net tore

Vi Ni Muj Taneke Kpo

vi ni muj taneke kpo

And I was left alone

Itlla Kavinok Lim Teja

itlla kavinok lim teja

Like a boot without a pair

Gra-Mpa Reti Loki Ver

gra-mpa reti loki ver

Amidst a stranger’s summer

Verse 3

Tulj Ka Ampa Ni Mi Uti

tulj ka ampa ni mi uti

Since then I drink

Li Naaja Ram Te Ram

li naaja ram te ram

Tea day after day

Tllelj Kti Ni Ke Atemetto

tllelj kti ni ke atemetto

The six-stringer plays for me

Wjri Jecu Lili Ku

öjri jeshu lili ku

Quiet music, a little comforting

Adri Ni Mi Heko Ido

adri ni mi heko ido

Suddenly I hear something

Vi Mi Ema Ek, I Pi

vi mi ema ek, i pi

And I think: it’s you

Ac I Mirina Iraj Mi

ash i mirina iraj mi

But it’s the wind that

Tako Li Oica Olj

tako li oisha olj

Carries the blue dust

Sorghum