Gelem, gelem

The International Gypsy Anthem was composed by Yugoslavian Jarko Jovanovik from a popular Gypsy song from the Eastern Europe countries. Its lines are inspired on the Gypsies who were confined in Nazi concentration camps during the Second World War. It was officially adopted as their hymn at the First Gypsy Congress, held in London in 1971.

Gelem, gelem lungone dromensar
maladilem baxtale Rromençar
A Rromalen kotar tumen aven
E chaxrençar bokhale chavençar

A Rromalen, A chavalen

Sàsa vi man bari familja
Mudardás la i Kali Lègia
Saren chindás vi Rromen vi Rromen
Maskar lenoe vi tikne chavorren

A Rromalen, A chavalen

Putar Dvla te kale udara
Te saj dikhav kaj si me manusa
Palem ka gav lungone dromençar
Ta ka phirav baxtale Rromençar

A Rromalen, A chavalen

Opre Rroma isi vaxt akana
Ajde mançar sa lumáqe Rroma
O kalo muj ta e kale jakha
Kamàva len sar e kale drakha

A Rromalen, A chavalen

I walked, I walked along long roads
I found lucky Roma
Oh, Roma, where do you come from?
with tents and hungry children?

O Roma, O Romani youths!

I also had a big family
was killed by the Black Legion
men and women were dismembered
among them also small children.

O Roma, O Romani youths!

Open, God, the black doors
I can see where my people are.
I will go back the roads
and I will walk with lucky Roma

O Roma, O Romani youths!

Up, gypsies! Now is the time
Come with me the Roma of the world
The dark face and the dark eyes
I like them as much as black grapes

O Roma, O Romani youths!

Gelem, gelem score

Listen to our anthem…

Rromano Dives – Gelem, gelem (Road Of The Gypsies – L’Épopée Tzigane)

Francisco Santiago Maya – Gelem, gelem