Kais' Czech Folk Song

Thank you Kais (7F2) for explaining in your own words why the following song is so important to you:

Černé oči, jděte spát

"This is a Czech folk’s song, which is usually sang as a lullaby. The first time this song has been recorded was beginning of 19th century by Frantisek Celakovsky, but this song is older than that.


I know this song because my mum has been singing it to me since I was a baby. She was born in Czech Republic, and she learnt this song after my grandmother sang it to her when she was a little child.

I like this song because its calming and has a nice tune. And although it has a nice tune and it’s a calm song, it talks about people going to a war. So this song isn’t only a child’s lullaby as it has mature content."


Černé oči, jděte spát


1. Černé oči, jděte spát, černé oči jděte spát,
však musíte ráno vstát, však musíte ráno vstát.

2. /: Ráno, ráno, raníčko, :/
/: dřív, než vyjde sluníčko. :/

3. /: Sluníčko už vychází, :/
/: má milá se prochází. :/

4. /: Prochází se po rynku, :/
/: nese smutnou novinku. :/

5. /: Novinečku takovou, :/
/: že na vojnu verbujou. :/

6. /: Když verbujou, budou hrát, :/
/: škoda hochů nastokrát. :/


Translation: Black Eyes Go to Sleep


  • Black eyes go to sleep, black eyes go to sleep,
  • Morning, morning, morning, before the sun rises.
  • The sun is already rising, my sweetheart is walking.
  • She walks along the market and carries a sad news.
  • A news, that they are recruiting young boys for a war.
  • Once they recruit them, they will have to go, poor boys.
  • You must get up very early tomorrow.