(Тарас Шевченко \"Ой чого ти почорнiло...\", 1848)
\"Он чого ти почорніло, Зеленеє поле?\" \"Почорніло я од крові За вольную волю. Круг містечка Берестечка На чотири милі Мене славні запорожці Своїм трупом вкрили. Та те мене гайворони Укрили з півночі... Клюють очі козацькії, А трупу не хочуть. Почорніло я, зелене, Та за вашу волю... Я знов буду зеленіти, А ви вже ніколи Не вернетеся на волю, Будете орати Мене стиха та, орючи, Долю проклинати\".
[English translation (version 1):]
Why did you grow black, green lea? I grew black due to the blood spilt for freedom. Brave citizens of Zaporozhye covered the ground be their bodies for four miles away. By midnight I was covered by the ravens They peck kazaks’ eyes, But don’t wanna peck corpses. I, green, grew black And for your freedom I will be green again But you will never come back to freedom, You will sing songs to me And curse your freedom.
[English translation (version 2):]
\"Oh, green field, Why have you turned black?\" \"I have turned black because of blood, Which was spilled for freedom. Near the town Berestechko Glorious cossacks Have covered me on four miles With their bodies. And jackdaws Covered me from the north... They pecked сossack eyes, But didn’t want the corpses. I, green, have turned black For your freedom. I will green again, But you will never Come back on freedom. You will plough me silently and damn your destiny.\"