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Gypsy Nights

Zhenya Schevchenko
Gypsy Nights

“Queen of the Gypsies” Zhenya Schevchenko sings 14 Romani songs in her native Russian on this 1975 recording. Backed by an ensemble of piano, violin, guitar, bass, and drums, Schevchenko’s repertoire spans the emotional range from the merry (“I Lyotsa Piesnya”) to the mournful (“Ty Smotri, Nikomu Nie Raskazyvai”). Song lyrics in Russian and brief English synopses are included in the liner notes.


RELATED LESSON PLAN
"A Little Romani Music"


*Content Advisory: Many Roma consider the term “Gypsy” an offensive identifier or a racial slur. Some Roma, however, have used “Gypsy” as a self-identifier and continue to do so. Roma have been a marginalized group for centuries, and the term “Gypsy” has been used in violent and racist ways. We encourage the listener to learn more about Roma history and culture, and the continued fight for Roma rights. For more information, please see these resources from the European Roma Rights Centre, the World Directory of Minorities and Indigenous Peoples, and Amnesty International.
- Anna Kate Cannon, 2021–22 Dumbarton Oaks Fellow at SFR, and Dr. Adriana Helbig, professor of Music at the University of Pittsburgh, contributed to the research and writing for this statement.
For our policy on controversial recordings, please see our Frequently Asked Questions page.

Track Listing

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101
Ty Smotri, Nikomu Nie Raskazyvai (Don't Tell a Soul) Zhenya Schevchenko 02:35
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102
Ekh, Platochek (Little Kerchief) Zhenya Schevchenko 03:03
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103
My Vyshli V Sad (We Went Out to the Garden) Zhenya Schevchenko 02:43
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104
Daite Khodu Parokhodu (Let the Little Boat Pass) Zhenya Schevchenko 02:06
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105
On Uiekhal (He's Gone Away) Zhenya Schevchenko 03:07
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106
Poite, Tsygane (Sing, Gypsies) Zhenya Schevchenko 03:47
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107
Bidy Moya Rumbala (Gypsies Camped Beyond the Woods) Zhenya Schevchenko 03:00
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108
Nie Govorite Mnie O Niom (Don't Talk About Him) Zhenya Schevchenko 03:26
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109
I Lyotsa Piesnya (The Song Pours Out) Zhenya Schevchenko 02:30
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110
Nie Sierdis / Moyi Tsyganochki (Don't Be Angry / My Gypsy Girls) Zhenya Schevchenko 02:21
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111
Konfetki, Baranochki (Candies and Pretzels) Zhenya Schevchenko 03:19
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112
Otrada (My Joy) Zhenya Schevchenko 02:56
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113
Gori, Gori Lyubov Tsyganki (Burn, Burn Gypsy Love) Zhenya Schevchenko 01:54
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114
Vasiliochki (Cornflowers) Zhenya Schevchenko 02:54