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'Ganchoum Em, Ari Ari': A heart-wrenching declaration of love

C-rouge ft. Carmen Balian

June 08, 2018

Music

By Lilly Torosyan

1335 views

'Ganchoum Em, Ari Ari': A heart-wrenching declaration of love

"Ganchoum Em, Ari Ari" ("I’m Calling, Come Hither") is one of the most treasured and well-known Armenian folk ballads.

Genre

Ethno folk; remix; electronic; pop; contemporary

Released

2016

Location

Lebanon; Jerusalem

Duration

3:54

Link

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6a8h4DL_q6o

It is said to have originated in the Hemshin community, a group of Muslim Armenians who settled in the Black Sea area centuries ago. Countless versions exist all over the Internet, but the most current sound is undeniably the remix created by Lebanese Armenian musicians C-rouge (electronic music producer DJ Serouj Baghdassarian) and Carmen Balian. If you’re not paying attention, you may mistake the music video for something out of the Top 40 charts.

Liked this? Listen to another version

  • Jerusalemite-Armenian musician, Apo Sahagian’s, slow-tempo rock version perfectly captures the essence of the song, which is ultimately a chronicle of frustrated, desperate, unrequited love. The chorus repeats, “I call you to come, but you won’t come; may your flame extinguish.” In the description of the video are the translated lyrics of the song (also included below).

Full translation

From Apo Sahagian’s Youtube video

I call you to come, come
Love, let me die for your stature
You won't come, may your smoke douse
Tell me, what should I do?
I have reaped garlands of roses
Love, let me die for your stature
I've misplaced the road back to you
Tell me, what should I do?
The roses are wet with dew
Love, let me die for your stature
The dew of my heart cries
Tell me, what should I do?

Video

  • "Ganchoum Em, Ari Ari" by C-rouge ft. Carmen Balian

    Video: Music of Armenia YouTube page

  • "Kanchum Em, Ari Ari" by Apo Sahagian

    Video: Apo Sahagian YouTube page

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