Bayu-Bayushki-Bayu

This is the Russian lullaby (колыбельная, kolybel’naya). Long before they were simple sleep songs, Russian lullabies were little charms of protection, sung to keep the child safe through the night. The famous grey wolf verse is a playful, mock-serious warning passed down for centuries — and alongside him lives the gentlest character of Slavic night-time folklore, the little grey cat Kotik, who pads in on velvet paws and rocks the cradle until morning. Together they turn the dark into something cosy, familiar and safe.

Vocal coach tip. Use a very intimate, almost spoken tone of voice, softening every consonant and letting the voice glide on the final vowels of each line.