Ручеёк – I often had this dream & Elenberg

Fans of British-Irish pub orchestra music, and of Beirut from New York, known for Balkan-inspired music with French titles, popular (or once popular) in many countries. They should really listen to Ручеёк from Yaroslavl. It may not be better, but it is Russian.

A ручеёк is a stream or brook. It’s also a game (for ages 7 and up), somewhat similar to a folk dance. As you might guess, Ручеёк doesn’t play rock and roll.

Мне часто снилса этот сон (I often had this dream) and Elenberg are from Первое собрание (First Collection, 2016). Other tracks on the album include Образы, Там, and Пой и пляши. Only in 2020 did the album receive a modest follow-up, with Бесталанное чудо.

Мне часто снилса этот сон

    Мне часто снилса этот сон.
    Мне снился сердцу милый двор.
    Заложником тех дивных дней
    Я был в совсем чужой стране.

    (Song lyrics)

Elenberg

    Та пристань, где растворялось время…
    Я помню каждый снимок,
    Сделанный с твоего “эленберга”.
    Я помню каждое слово,
    Сказать которое мы не хотели.
    Мысли просто летели, мысли просто летели…

In the song lyrics of Elenberg (a Russian brand of household and technical appliances), it says ты не хотела instead of мы не хотели. Find chords here.

Both songs have been reprised in a home session, once as a small orchestra and once as a duo.

Find more on Instagram and VK.
Listen on Soundcloud or Spotify.
Read more: Ярославская группа “Ручеёк”: музыка “с душой” (2016).

Most of the music here is also available in an R1 playlist on YouTube (in order of posting).
See also Best Russian Music and Russian Song Lyrics.