PUGACHEV’S MARCH

“PUGACHEV’S MARCH”, “P u g a c h e v”, “T h e  r o a d”, Bashkir ethnic song, khalmak-kuy. First registered by N.D. Shunkarov in 1961 in Bobrovyi Gay village, Pugachev District, Saratov region, and published in “Bashkort khalyk izhady” collection. Refers to the songs about the Peasant War of 1773–1775. The origin of the second song’s name is connected with the legend, according to which Y.I. Pugachev’s army on its way to Orenburg walked a long way along the Yaik River. The lyrics describe Pugachev as a kind tsar defending people and granting them lands and liberty. Clear structure, intramural chants are typical for the declamatory melody.