A folk song has a long and glorious history, and its value lies in the fact that it is in it that the state of the soul of people is expressed, and it is in it that something surprising that is called the folk spirit, folk self-consciousness, is preserved.
And the songs contain important information about a particular historical period, which is why historians and folklorists pay a lot of attention to studying them. For example, a lot of songs about the history of Russia were left for descendants by the Cossacks.
Cossacks and Cossack songs
About the military art of the Cossacks was known during the reign of Ivan the Terrible. Discipline, the ability to deftly handle different types of weapons, tremendous unity with the horse, love for his native land, his customs and traditions inspired indisputable respect, both friends and enemies. In the army, the Cossacks formed their own groups, in which not only national identity was preserved, but also faith, and, of course, culture.
In the harmonious and sonorous songs of the Cossacks, a deep understanding of history and its place in it was felt, thanks to which they had an amazing effect on those around them. Until we reached one of the many marching marching Don Cossacks songs "Horsemen-friends". Rejoicing at the opportunity to show themselves in battle, they sang, calling their "friends" to saddle their horses, because every now and then a trumpet sounded and the orders of the commander and platoon were heard.
When listening to this old song, you can easily imagine a picturesque picture: a frosty early morning, proud well-groomed horses beat their hooves and excitedly laugh, and the Cossacks, encouraging each other with jokes, jokes. They are eagerly awaiting, when, finally, they can quickly go galloping across the steppes, it may well be that they meet their deaths ...
The songs were usually performed in the form of a peculiar dialogue. So, a platoon officer, an elderly experienced "father", perfectly understanding his young hot "children", squinting slyly, responds to this bold appeal: wait, take your time so much. But soon he himself, as if infected with universal jubilation, urges them to quickly get up in line.
Of particular importance in modern culture are Cossack songs about the history of Russia.
Russia in the Cossack songs
Songs about the history of Russia began to appear among the Cossacks from the middle of the 15th century, that is, when “Cossacking” began to spread throughout the territory of the Moscow kingdom. Considerable interest is Cossacks song from Terek "Not out of the cloud" - about the letters that Ivan the Terrible gave them.
Came to bow to the terrible king, the Cossacks complain to him, as if to his father, about the bitter share of the "landless". Recalling their merits before the Fatherland, they gently reproach the king for failing to fulfill promises, and, having come close to the princes and the boyars, completely forgot about their faithful servants.
John Vasilyevich, however, exhorts the Cossacks, and again promises to give them land "to the very sea of Khvalyn". As is known from history, the king fulfilled his promise, because he highly appreciated the military skill of the glorious mercenaries.
Free and free Cossacks have always sought to serve the king and fatherland, while maintaining their identity. There are many songs about the famous relocation of the Cossacks to the Kuban, in which the Cossacks' attitude towards this dramatic period is clearly traced. A great example is the song "In 1791 rocki".
Forced to submit to "enemy woman Katerina", the Cossacks complain about their chieftain Chepig and troop judge Golovaty because they commanded all Zaporizhian troops to leave their native lands and go abroad.
Songs about the history of Russia among the Cossacks are especially warm, they contain sadness filled with tenderness. Russia is called a "mother" who has taken a lot of need and grief, shed many tears and blood. Her heart is tormented by pain for her sons, but at the same time pride in them is alive in it.
It is impossible to overestimate the meaning of the songs of the Cossacks who love their land, God, Russia, truly. This is not just a folklore genre, it is a genuine document that stores important information about the culture and way of life of the people, as well as about the political situation in the country.
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