[This content was originally shared on the SnowCalmth blog on November 30, 2016. Some revisions to the translation were made before publishing it here.]
In 2016, I first translated this song upon the request of one of my own little sisters, as a gift for her birthday and with respect to her Albanian origin. Looking back at it now, I noticed the mistakes I made in my translation previously (which were primarily in the location names). I have fixed all I noticed and here’s the revised translation. Feel free to let me know if you notice any mistakes I still didn’t notice. And just like before, the translation is dedicated to my little sister. Even if we may not be related by blood, but instead through adoption, I love you greatly.
Information
Original artist: Afërdita Demaku
Cover artist: Kreshnik Gojani & Pranvera Gojani
Country: Albania
Original language: Albanian
English subtitled original music video
(You may need to press the CC button to enable the subtitles)
English subtitled cover music video
Original Albanian lyrics
Kam një mallë që m’fle në gji
me t’i pa tokat Shqipëri
Plavë, Preshevë, Tiranë e Prishtinë
Kumanovë, Sarandë e Janinë.
Si një zog unë fluturoj
qerdhen time e kërkoj
Kudo ulem e pushoj
fjalën shqipe e dëgjoj.
Tungjatjeta shqiptari
n’Qamëri e n’Iliridë
në Preshevë e në Malësi
kurrë mos paqim ne kufi.
Nga Kosova unë po vi
me t’puthë ballin Qamëri
T’sjellë aromën e pranverës
nga Lugina e Preshevës.
T’ja shtrijmë dorën Iliridës
që nga Shkupi e në Dibër
Me Shqipërine nënë e madhe
n’valë t’Ulqinit të hedhim valle.
Tungjatjeta shqiptari
n’Qamëri e n’ILiridë
në Preshevë e në Malësi
kurrë mos paqim ne kufi.
English translation
I have a longing in my heart
to see all the lands in our Albania
Plav, Preševo, Tirana, and Pristina,
Kumanovo, Sarandë, and Ioannina.
As a bird I fly,
looking for my nest.
Wherever I sit and rest,
Albanian words I hear spoken.
Greetings to all the Albanian people
in Chameria and Illyria
in Preševo and in the Great Highlands
may the borders never divide us.
I am coming from Kosovo
to kiss the forehead of Chameria
and to bring the scent of spring
from the Valley of Preševo.
Let’s embrace Ilirida
from Skopje to Dibër.
With our great mother Albania
in the middle of Ulcinj’s waves, let’s have our dance.
Greetings to all the Albanian people
in Chameria and Illyria
in Preševo and in the Great Highlands
may the borders never divide us.
