The song “Plyve kacha po Tysyne” is not just a melody or words, it is a deep echo of the soul, carrying pain, longing and memory. This Ukrainian Lemko folk song, which was originally a quiet lullaby about a mother’s love and separation, eventually became a symbol of unspeakable grief. Its gentle but piercing motif seems to float like a duck on water – slowly, inexorably, carrying a whole whirlpool of feelings with it.
When you listen to “Plyve Kachu”, it seems that time stops. Every note echoes the loss, every word is a whisper of those who are no longer with us. This song became especially significant during the tragic events in Ukraine, in particular after the Revolution of Dignity in 2014, when it was performed at the funerals of the fallen heroes of the Heavenly Hundred. It ceased to be just a folk tune – it became the voice of a nation mourning its sons and daughters, a voice calling for memory and justice.
The words of the song are simple, but they contain a whole eternity. “I’m floating down the Tisza, my mum, don’t spare me,” the son sings, as if saying goodbye to his mother, as if preparing her for the inevitable. And the mother’s cry in response – “Oh, my son, my son, where have you gone?” – is a heartbreaking cry. This conversation between mother and son, separated by death, has become a metaphor for all Ukrainian mothers who have lost their children to war, repression or injustice.
“Plyve Kacha” is not just a symbol of pain, it is a hug for those who grieve and a reminder for those who have forgotten. Its melody unites people in a common grief, but at the same time gives hope that the memory of those we have lost will live forever. It teaches us to appreciate every moment, to love those around us, and not to be silent when the world tries to drown out the truth.
This song is like the river of Silence, flowing through the centuries, carrying our tears, our prayers and our resilience on its waves. It flows, and we flow with it, holding in our hearts those who cannot be brought back, but whom we will never forget.
Glory to Ukraine! Glory to the heroes!
Author : Ekaterina Bogdanenko
