Bosanska Artiljerija
Bosnian Folk Songs
Echoes of Resilience: The Pride of Bosnian Folk
The song "Bosanska Artiljerija" is a Bosnian folk song that resonates with themes of national pride, resilience, and the spirit of defense. The lyrics convey a strong message of unity among the Bosnian people, as suggested by the line 'Junak do junaka, rodila nas majka' which translates to 'From hero to hero, our mother gave birth to us.' This line emphasizes the shared heritage and valor among the Bosnians, suggesting that they are all brothers in arms, born from the same motherland.
The song lists various cities in Bosnia, such as Sarajevo, Rogatica, and Višegrad, which are described as lying close to the heart. This geographical roll call serves to reinforce the connection between the people and their land, highlighting the deep love and commitment to every part of Bosnia. The repeated refrain 'Pjevaj Bosno dušmani nek znaju, Da se lako ne damo' which means 'Sing, Bosnia, let the enemies know, That we do not give up easily,' is a declaration of the Bosnian people's determination to protect their country and not to surrender to adversity.
The term 'Artiljerija' refers to artillery, and 'Bosanac sam bekrija' translates to 'I am a Bosnian and a merry fellow.' This part of the song, combined with the exclamation 'Moja Bosna ponosna!' ('My Bosnia is proud!'), serves as a rallying cry, celebrating the Bosnian spirit and their readiness to defend their homeland with joy and pride. The song encapsulates the resilience of the Bosnian people during times of struggle, particularly reflecting the sentiments during the Bosnian War in the 1990s.