Hej, Sokoły (Hey, falcons, Polish: Hej, Sokoły, Ukrainian: Гей, соколи), proper title Żal za Ukrainą (Longing for Ukraine) or Na zielonej Ukrainie (In green Ukraine) is a Polish folk song. The song's authorship is not completely certain, some historians attribute the writing of the song to the Ukrainian-Polish poet-songwriter Tomasz Padura (1801–1871) (however, according to the latest Ukrainian research, there are no lyrics of the song in any of Padura's song collections), and others believe it was written by the Polish classical composer Maciej Kamieński (1734–1825).

The tune was popular among Polish soldiers during the Polish-Soviet War, and was also sung by the Polish Home Army guerrillas during World War II. Polish folk singer Maryla Rodowicz also performed a popular cover of the song.

According to Olga Kharchyshyn, "Hej Sokoły" is based on the motif of a Polish folk song from the 19th century, but with a new chorus and beginning. The song first appeared in the current form in the second half of the 20th century. Its Ukrainian versions are translations from Polish. The song is popular in Poland, Ukraine and Slovakia, and to a lesser extent in Belarus and the eastern Czech Republic.

The lyrics exist in several versions about a Ukrainian girl to whom her betrothed, a cossack or an uhlan, says goodbye for the last time. It is sometimes presented as being either, or both, a Polish folk song or Ukrainian folk song. The lyrics vary only slightly between the two languages.

English Lyrics:

Hey somewhere near the black waters,
A young Cossack took his horse.
A young woman cries her eyes
Cossack leaves Ukraine at once.

Hey, hey, hey, you falcons,
Avoid mountains, forests and big canyons Bell, bell, bell is ringing
Steppe lark, continue singing!

Hey, hey, hey, you falcons,
Avoid mountains, forests and big canyons Bell, bell, bell is ringing
Steppe lark, continue singing!

Sorry, sorry, for my darling,
For the native mother country.
Sorry, sorry, heart is crying,
I will not see her again.

Hey, hey, hey, you falcons,
Avoid mountains, forests and big canyons Bell, bell, bell is ringing
Steppe lark, continue singing!

Hey, hey, hey, you falcons,
Avoid mountains, forests and big canyons Bell, bell, bell is ringing
Steppe lark, continue singing!

Crying, crying, crying my love
Precious, dear, little swallow.
I'm in a foreign land,
Heart is beating with no end.

Hey, hey, hey, you falcons,
Avoid mountains, forests and big canyons Bell, bell, bell is ringing
Steppe lark, continue singing!

Hey, hey, hey, you falcons,
Avoid mountains, forests and big canyons Bell, bell, bell is ringing
Steppe lark, continue singing!

Pour us honey, more and more
If I die, then take me home
To the distant great Ukraine,
Just beside my loved one

Hey, hey, hey, you falcons,
Avoid mountains, forests and big canyons Bell, bell, bell is ringing
Steppe lark, continue singing

Hey, hey, hey, you falcons,
Avoid mountains, forests and big canyons Bell, bell, bell is ringing
Steppe lark, continue singing

Credits:

Music and Vocals - by Andrew Van Garratt

Produced and Mixed - by “Whispering “ Angus Wallace at Far Heath Studios, UK

Translation - by Anna Merchuk and Viktoriya Shtanko

Editing - by Juris Plocins-Ploters and Paul Kuznecovs

Production Sponsorship - by Friendship Zone for Ukraine Appeal

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