Ajde Jano

I learned this song (and dance) YEARS ago, but different words. I know there are many versions, but I like this version. I tried to search the forum in the new format and was unsuccessful



Can someone tell me exactly what language/dialect, as well as the exact lyrics and English translation, please.

Thank you!

The song is in plain Serbian.

Bistrica = Prizrenska Bistrica (probably), a stream or a river in Kosovo
kuća (house) [=] Kosovo
Kolo = a collective folk dance

I hope the translation is okay.

Ajde Jano, kucu da ne damo

Ajde Jano, ajde dušo kolo da igramo
Ajde Jano, ajde dušo kolo da igramo
Ajde Jano, ajde dušo da se pogledamo

Ajde Jano, pesme da pevamo
Ajde Jano, ajde dušo, da ih sacuvamo
Ajde Jano, ajde dušo blago da cuvamo.

Ajde Jano, konja da sedlamo
Ajde Jano, ajde dušo da se prošetamo
Do Bistrice da idemo da se umijemo.

Ajde Jano, kucu da ne damo
Da ne damo, Jano dušo, da je ne prodamo,
Kad prodamo, Jano dušo, kako da igramo?
Kad prodamo, Jano more, kako da igramo?

Da ne damo, Jano dušo, da je ne prodamo,
Kad prodamo, Jano more, kako da igramo?


Come on Jana, let's not give the house away

Come on Jana, let's play kolo
Come on Jana, come on darling, let's play kolo
Come on Jana, come on darling, let's look at each other.

Come on Jana, let's sing the songs
Come on Jana, come on darling, let's preserve them
Come on Jana, come on darling, let us preserve the treasure (heritage).

Come on Jana, let's saddle the horse up,
Come on Jana, come on darling, let's take a ride (or walk)
To go to Bistrica and get washed up.

Come on Jana, let's not give the house away,
Not to give it away, Jana darling, not to sell it.
If we had the house sold, would we (ever) play (again)?
(or how would we be able to play/dance/be happy?)

Let's not give it away, Jana, not to sell it.
If we sold it out Jana, how would we ever dance? (again)?

Pleased to meet you, Ina. I thought the song might have been changed to being religious due to the video. But why is Jana so popular that everyone writes songs about her?

Somehow, I knew Sofijski would find/like this post.

wow! I still remember the dance!! At least the 60's version learned in America.