A BRADFORD choir has recorded and released a version of the Ukrainian freedom song to raise money to help refugees.
The song, which is derived from the famous 1919 song ‘Oh, the Red Viburnum in the Meadow’, is simply titled ‘Ukraine’ and was recorded last summer by the Bradford Ukrainian Choir at the Bradford Ukrainian Club, on Legrams Lane, Lidget Green.
Howerd Halay, musical director for the song and a member of Bradford Ukrainian Choir, said: “We have recorded the main Ukrainian freedom song translated into English so that the English-speaking world has a chance to sing the song in opposition to Putin's war.”
The song is divided into three parts, the first verse is sung in English followed by Ukrainian and recapped in English.
Discussing the song, Mr Halay said: “The red kalyna is a low-lying red berry shrub found in the wild in Ukraine and has been adopted as a national symbol in much the same way that the thistle has been adopted as a national symbol of Scotland.”
Mr Halay added: “It’s the one song that Putin hates because it shows defiance to the invasion.
“It was written in 1919 and it’s got a huge history in Ukraine.
“We’re hoping this charity single will help people of the world understand the sentiment of the song.”
Although the song was performed at the Bradford Ukrainian Club, it was mastered by Spellsound Recording Studios in Bingley.
The purpose of recording the song is to raise money for charity to help Ukrainian refugees in the UK with transport to and from Ukrainian clubs in cities such as Bradford.
Mr Haley said: “We’d like to get some funds in for refugees who are essentially isolated.
“Refugees are well looked after by sponsors but they’re spread out all over the place.
“People in outlying areas can’t get into Bradford and other city centres to socialise and support each other to discuss problems.
“The Bradford Ukrainian Club is good at helping people but people can’t always get there because of the transport links.”
He added: "If the single is a hit then this could help to put Ukraine and its plight back to the forefront of public awareness."
The song is available for download on YouTube, Amazon and iTunes.
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