“Viire takka”

[Toomas Rannu]

“Viire takka” is an Estonian folksong, a cradle song from Muhu island (by some sources). It’s about how from the horizon I see three ships approach, they all have smokestacks. The day coming to an end and the sea is falling asleep. It’s waves are calming down and the reeds are gently swaying. And from the horizon winds of sleep approach and when their wings cover you, you fall asleep. And day coming to an end and the sea is falling asleep, ships are rocking on the waves and the baby in it’s cradle.
Two voices are played by one mandolin.
Estonian subtitles included for those who like to sing along (in video options).
Free PDF of this transcription attached.

Here it is:
https://youtu.be/FY-j7EVCnyc


Toomas Rannu
Flat-backed mandolin, crafted by Viljar Kuusk in 2008 (Tallinn, Estonia).

[Jim Garber]

Very nice, Toomas. I was hoping you would not fall into the water.

[Toomas Rannu]

Very nice, Toomas. I was hoping you would not fall into the water.

I was very near to that. All that rocking...

[John Kelly]

Interesting use of harmony being played live here, Toomas. Clever technique.

[Toomas Rannu]

Thank you, John! I found this arrangement of “Viire takka” for two voices from an old Estonian school songbook “Jo, le, mi” published in 1972. The purpose of this song was to teach young students the 2/4+3/4 time signature and some alterations (d-flat and e-flat). During transcribing I changed the time signature to 5/4, changed one note in the lower voice in bar 7. and added the tab for mandolin.
Video of the sea, the stones and the birds on the horizon is taken in Pedassaare, North Estonia (59° 37′ N, 26° 2′ E) in 26.07.2019 at sunset at 8:52 PM. We took a little trip by bicycles in these days by the coast with my wife and spent some nights by the sea. So this cradle song is just in tune.