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The story
In Bulgarian fairy tales the lamia is a fearsome dragon that lives in a cave and guards treasure. Usually three brothers set out to defeat it — and the youngest succeeds.
This song turns the tale around: the strong brother comes out beaten, the learned one loses at chess and riddles, and the third — a charmer with a rose and perfume — stays for three days. In the end the lamia sends him off in tears: "He wasn't ready — he broke my heart."
Lyrics
Original Bulgarian lyrics with English translation.
Verse 1
Силен брат!
The strong brother!
Тръгна първи братът як,
The first brother set out, a sturdy one,
с меч огромен, мустакат,
with a huge sword and a big moustache,
влезе смело в пещерата
he boldly entered the cave
да пречука той ламята.
to finish off the lamia.
Цял ден брутален бой,
A whole day of brutal battle,
меч и огън, адски вой.
sword and fire, a hellish howl.
Пребит излезе вечерта:
He came out beaten in the evening:
„Направо си ме разката!“
"She totally flattened me!"
Verse 2
Умен брат!
The clever brother!
Тръгна втори, учен брат,
The second set out, a learned brother,
с поглед строг и тарикат.
with a stern look, a smart one.
Вътре влезе не за бой:
He went inside not for a fight:
„Звяра ще победя с акъла мой.“
"I'll beat the beast with my brains."
Шах играха чак до зори,
They played chess until dawn,
гатанки и куп игри,
riddles and a pile of games,
и си тръгна той смирен:
and he left humbled:
„Тя по-умна е от мен.“
"She is smarter than me."
Verse 3
Готин брат!
The cool brother!
Братът трети е сваляч,
The third brother is a charmer,
роза и парфюм — трепач.
a rose and perfume — a heartbreaker.
Влезе вътре и запя:
He went inside and sang:
„Моя си за вечерта.“
"You're mine for the night."
Мина ден и два, и три,
A day went by, then two, then three,
ламята хилеше се до зори.
the lamia giggled until dawn.
Накрая — със сълзи в очи:
In the end — with tears in her eyes:
„Не бил готов, сърцето ми разби.“
"He wasn't ready — he broke my heart."
