Lily

COUNTRY: Iran
LANGUAGE: originally in Persian

Found on the Smithsonian Folkways’ “Folk Songs and Dances of Iran,” this is a song from the forests of Elborz in Gilan, which is near the Caspian Sea. “Jan!” seems to be a shout of joy used at the end of each line.

When you’re sad I am sad, when you’re shy I’m shy (jan!)
When you’re mad I am mad, when you cry I cry (jan!)
But when you smile my heart smiles, do you wonder why? (jan!)
Do you wonder why? (jan!) Do you wonder why? (jan!) Do you
wonder why? (jan) Because I love you Lily Lily
How I love you Lily