Tune and text are evidently of recent origin, however the melody is based on an antecedent that was originally a dervish ilahija. The appealing melody of the iliahija found its way into numerous local musical genres, and even into the liturgical practices of the Sephardic Jews of Sarajevo.
With time, Kad ja podjoh na Benbasu
has become a musical symbol of Sarajevo.
| Kad ja podjoh na Benbasu
Na Benbasu na vodu Ja povedoh b'jelo jagnje, B'jelo jagnje sa sobom. Sve od derta i sevdaha, od tuge i zalosti. Svud sam is'o svud sam gled'o Ne bil' dragu vidjeo. Sve djevojke Benbasanke Na kapiji stajahu. Samo moja mila draga Na demirli pendzeru. Ja joj nazva dobro vece, Dobro vece djevojce, Ona meni doj' do vecer, doj', do vecer dilberce. |
When I went to Benbasa
To Benbas for water I took a small white lamb, A small white lamb with me. Because of the suffering and passion of love Because of sorrow and longing, I went and looked everywhere To try to see my darling. All the girls from Benbasa Stood in the door (of the courtyard) Onlly my dear darling Was at the window with the iron grill. I told her good evening, Good evening, girl, She told me to come in the evening, Come in the evening, darling. |