Lesson 2: Learning “Shen Genatsvale”
Aim: How are music and lyrics combined in a song to convey emotion?
Summary: Students learn the refrain of “Shen Genatsvale”; explore
the differences between two versions of the song; and explore the
meaning of the lyrics.
Standards: National 1, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 10, 11
Vocabulary: emotions, lyrics, refrain
Ilusha wrote “Shen Genatsvale” for his friends and relatives whom he only gets to see once in a while when he visits Georgia. The refrain “shen genatsvale” does not have a direct translation; it embodies a feeling of caring and connection between people that remains strong even when they are separated. The rest of the lyrics underline the emotions of love, longing, and devotion expressed in the phrase.
“Shen Genatsvale”
Text
Dghes aqa var khval khom ara,
Shen genatsvale
Sanam aq var momepere,
Shen genatsvale
Tzelitzadshi ertkhel gnakhav,
Shen genatsvale
Skhva ra mrcheba
siq’varuli,
Shen genatsvale
Chorus:
Shen gena, shen genatsvale
Vimgherod da movilkhinod
Shen genatsvale
Rom icode rogor gnatrob,
Shen genatsvale
Albad veghar gamishvebdi,
Shen genatsvale
Chem tzasvlas da shen darchenas,
Gaumarjos!
Sadac avar ertad avart,
Shen genatsvale
Shen gena, shen genatsvale
Sheni eshkhit guli petkavs
Shen genatsvale
Shen gena, shen genatsvale
Sanam aq var momepere
Shen genatsvale
Shen gena, shen genatsvale
Sadac avar ertad avart
Shen genatsvale
Translation
I’m here today, not tomorrow,
Shen genatsvale
Love me while we’re still together,
Shen genatsvale
It’s so rare for us to see each other,
Shen genatsvale
What’s left but for us to cherish
these moments,
Shen genatsvale
Chorus:
Shen gena, shen genatsvale
Let’s sing now and be joyful,
Shen genatsvale
If you knew just how much I missed you,
Shen genatsvale
You might not be able to let me go,
Shen genatsvale
Here’s to my parting and your staying,
Gaumarjos!*
Wherever I go, you’ll be with me in spirit,
Shen genatsvale
Shen gena, shen genatsvale
My heart beats with your love,
Shen genatsvale
Shen gena, shen genatsvale
Love me while we’re still together,
Shen genatsvale
Shen gena, shen genatsvale
Wherever I go, you’ll be with me in spirit,
Shen genatsvale
*“Cheers,” said after a toast in Georgia
Compare and Contrast Two Versions of “Shen Genatsvale”
- Listen again to “Shen Genatsvale” version 1, Track 7.
- What is the emotion expressed by the music? How does it make you feel? What about the music makes you feel that way?
- How would you move to this music?
- Listen to “Shen Genatsvale” version 2, Track 8.
- What is the emotion expressed by the music? How does it make you feel? What about the music makes you feel that way?
- How would you move to this music?
- Compare and contrast the two versions. Some areas to explore
include melody, harmony, lyrics, instrumentation (including
voices), tempo, and steady beat.
- What is the same in the two versions?
- What is different between the two versions?
- How do these differences contribute to the contrasting moods?
- Which version do you like better and why?
Creative Extension
Explore the Lyrics of “Shen Genatsvale”
- The expression “shen genatsvale” is a very special phrase in Georgian that cannot be fully translated in English. It loosely means, “Let me take your burden if you are ever in need,” or “I give myself to you,” and is similar to saying “I love you” to a close friend or family member.
- Read the lyrics to “Shen Genatsvale” aloud to your students and
have them reflect on the translation.
- What is the overall emotion or feeling in the lyrics to this song?
- Who is someone that you have not seen in a long time?
- What is one thing that you wish you could say to them?
- What phrase can we use in English that expresses the same feeling as “shen genatsvale”?
- On Write Your Own Version of “Shen Genatsvale” (PDF), your students will write verses inspired by “Shen Genatsvale.” They will have a choice of using “shen genatsvale” as their refrain, or writing an English phrase with the same meaning.
Literacy Extension
Am I Small? / Patara Var?
In Am I Small? / Patara Var? by Philipp Winterberg and Nadja Wichmann, join Tamia on a journey in which she compares herself to various animals and elements in nature as she asks the question, “Am I small?”
Musical Word Wall
Add the words emotions, lyrics, and refrain to the Musical Word Wall.
Image Credits
Ilusha Tsinadze childhood photo courtesy of artist.