Bulgaria Ranks 5th at Eurovision, Serbia Wins
Sofia News Agency, May 12, 2007

Bulgaria’s song Water grabbed the fifth spot at Eurovision final in Helsinki, while another Balkan country – Serbia came in first. The drumming duo Elitsa Todorova and Stoyan Yankoulov proved the most successful of Bulgaria’s three Eurovision bids so far, as it is the only one to reach the finals. Combining a modern drumming beat, a traditional Bulgarian folk song and impressive performance, Water has won wide support in Europe. Bulgarians were awarded the maximum 12 points from neighbouring Greece, while Cyprus and Spain placed us second with 10 points from each country. Macedonia placed Water 3rd, with 8 points. Serbia’s Marija Serifovic and her song Molitva (Prayer) was ranked first with 268 points, 111 points more than Elitsa Todorova and Stoyan Yankoulov’s Water. Ukraine came in second with 235 Points followed by Russia with 207. Turkey, Belarus, Greece, Armenia, Hungary and Moldova completed the top 10. Surprisingly none of the big European countries came in the top ten, although some bookmakers had predicted that Germany may win. In fact, the Germans got the 19th place. Bulgaria’s current ranking assures it a trip straight to next year’s final together with the other 9 in the top ten and the so called Big Four – Germany, France, Spain and the UK.

Bulgaria’s Eurovision Entry 2007 WATER

Serbia’s Eurovision Entry 2007 PRAYER

“Prayer” English Lyrics

I’m wide awake
An empty bed drives my dreams away
Life melts like ice
Disappears in the twinkling of an eye

 

I’m losing my mind,
Pushing reality out of sight
Our lips are touching softly
You’re the one I believe blindly

 

I walk around like crazy
Falling in love frightens me
Days are like wounds
Countless and hard to get through

Prayer…
It burns my sore lips like a fire
Prayer…
Thy name is something I admire
Heaven knows just as well as I do
So many times I have cried over you
Heaven knows just as well as I do
I pray and live only for you

I can’t lie to God
as I kneel down and pray
You’re the love of my life
That’s the only thing I can say.

“Water” English Lyrics

See this young lass there – eeeeee!

See this young lass sing, eee!

See young Mitra singing by the river, Mitra-lassiee, Mitra-lass,

See young Mitra there, yond’ the forest, Mitra-lassiee, Mitra-lass,

There’s a young lad coming from the village, Mitra-lassiee, Mitra-lass,

Walking by his side’s a wild young pony, Mitra-lassiee, Mitra-lass,

See him walking there, hear him singing, eeee! Eno hooooooo-а-ah а-а-а-а-аh

See the young lad riding his wild pony,

Mitra-lassiee, Mitra-lass

See him riding, holding tight his lassie,

Mitra-lassiee, Mitra-lassTarra doo dae doo darra darra doo da! Tarra doo dae doo darra darra doo da! Hey, hey!Tarra doo dae doo darra darra doo da! Tarra doo dae doo darra darra doo da! Hey!Tarra doo dae doo darra darra doo da! Hey, hey!Tarra doo dae doo darra darra doo da! Hey!Tarra doo dae doo darra darra doo da!

Questions for Group and Pair Discussion

• What are the Bulgarian singers singing about in the song and what kind of music is it?

• What do you think about the song called “Prayer” that won?

• Do you think the voting for favorite song was fair to Bulgaria?

• Were you impressed with Bulgaria’s song entry this year?