Forbidden Fruit and its Implications: The Apple in Bulgarian Folk Songs

Adam was but human-this explains it all. He did not want the apple for the apple's sake, he wanted it only because it was forbidden. Mark Twain

There is something about the forbidden that people find attractive. Apples are featured prominently in the folklore and mythology of many cultures. They are laden with symbolism and power.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apple_(symbolism)

They grow in many places around the world, in many different varieties, and they are very tasty. They also appear in Bulgarian folk songs.

Rusi Kosi is a song about about a blonde who has no comb and no powder for her face. Her ambition is to find a man to marry, so he can buy her these things; the refrain is "Elena, bring the red wine and the two red apples." (Does she think she will get a man that way?) It's a very pretty song despite the not so feminist lyrics :)



The next song, Myatolo Lenche Jabuka is even more provocative: it describes a girl throwing an apple, saying "the man the apple falls on is the one I'll marry." It landed in front of an old man, much to her dismay. (Of course the old man was pleased). The girl, Lenche, and her mother plot to send the old man into the woods in the hope he will either get eaten by a bear or knocked down by a tree. To their surprise, he returns, leading a bear by the ear! Moral of the story: be careful where you throw those apples!



If you enjoyed this you may also like some songs about wine:

http://katleyplanetbg.blogspot.com/2011/05/days-of-wine-and-roses-balkan-style.html

If wine isn't your thing, try some peppers instead. This will really spice up your day.

http://katleyplanetbg.blogspot.com/2011/10/blog-action-day-look-at-peppers-in.html


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