The Recovering Choir Director

A stunning Marian hymn from Georgia used for weddings, whose incipit is translated as “You are a vineyard.”

Two recordings are available online as of this writing:

- Men’s choir (unidentified)
- Women’s choir (Kitka—Track

Transliteration:
Shen khar venakhi, akhlad aqvavebuli.
Norchi ketili, Edems zhina nehrguli.
Alva zunheli, samotkhesa mosuli.
Ghmertman zhegamko vervina gyobs kebuli.
Da tavit tvizeet mze khar da gabrtsqinvhebuli.

Translation:
Thou art a garden, newly blossomed out.
The beneficial root arisen in Eden.
A fragrant poplar grown in Paradise.
….
And thou art thyself a brilliant sun.

Another translation:
You are the vine, newly blossomed,
tender, beautiful, planted in Eden,
Aloe-scented from Paradise.
God adorned you, no one deserves praise as you do,
you yourself are the sun, which shines here.

Another translation:
You are a vine and blossom.
You are a fragrant plant in Eden.
You are a fragrant poplar in paradise.
You have no equal.
You are a shining sun.

This hymn was first mentioned in a comment on the “Wedding music?” entry.