“Dark Eyes”
Traditional Russian Folk Song
Performed by Reynold D. Philipsek
2015 copyright
“Dark Eyes” is literally the first song I ever learned. I was probably about ten years old.
The song was in the Nick Monoloff book my guitar teacher used (he did not use the Mel Bay method).
My grandfather, who also played guitar, also knew this tune as many Eastern Europeans did.
It is, after all, considered the gypsy anthem.
I learned this song in E minor and that is the key I still play it in.
It is commonly done in D minor,
I have been slowly developing my solo rendition of this song for over fifty years.
It has never left my repertoire.
Its Russian title is, “Ochi Chernye” (Black Eyes), and the French title is, “Les Yeux Noirs”.
Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GgU_k0swlAw