Croatian Nursery Rhymes and Songs for Children
Some of my favourite Croatian nursery rhymes and songs for children have transcended generations. They have been passed down to me from both immediate and extended family members. There’s something timeless about these sweet, melodic favourites that captures the hearts of both young and old. This post will contain two nursery rhymes, with more to be shared in forthcoming posts.
The Croatian nursery rhymes and songs provided have been translated back into English.
Croatian Nursery Rhymes and Songs for Children
It’s time to learn the first nursery rhyme…
“ECI PECI PEC”
Eci, peci, pec,
Ti si mali zec.
A ja mala vjeverica,
Eci, peci, pec.
ENGLISH TRANSLATION
Before you read on, it’s best to keep the “eci, peci, pec” in the original Croatian form. Also note, the c when pronounced most closely resembles ts.
Eci, peci, pec,
You are a little rabbit.
I am a little squirrel,
Eci, peci, pec.
This is quite an endearing nursery rhyme, garnering warmth and affection between the child and adult.
Moving on to one of my most treasured nursery rhymes…
“EN DEN DORE (EN TEN TORE)”
En den dore,
Duboko je more,
A u moru ribice,
Tanke kao šibice.
En den dore,
Duboko je more,
A u moru kit,
Sad smo lijepo kvit!
En ten tore,
Duboko je more,
A u moru kit,
Rodio se Split.
Split je daleko,
Popio je mlijeko.
Mlijeko je vruće,
Bježi van iz kuće!
To hear this version, click HERE.
ENGLISH TRANSLATION
Once again, I find that it is best to keep the “en den dore” and “en ten tore” in the original Croatian form.
En den dore,
The sea is deep,
In the sea are fish,
As thin as matches.
En den dore,
The sea is deep,
There’s a whale in the sea,
Now we are nice and even!
En ten tore,
The sea is deep,
There’s a whale in the sea,
Born in Split (location).
Split is far away,
He drank the milk,
The milk is hot,
Get out of the house!
More Croatian nursery rhymes and songs will be shared in upcoming posts.
In the meantime, check out My Grandma is Like the Sea children’s picture book, here. A story of exploration, love and connection.
Nala xx