Zavetna or 'Vowed' in English is one of Pepi Baftirovski's most popular songs and is recognised as the unofficial hymn of the Macedonian people. It was written in 1987-1988, and over the years, several of our musicians have covered it.
Pepi Baftirovski was a legendary Macedonian folk singer, born in 1941 in Bitola, Macedonia, and who passed away on 25 April 2008 from lung cancer at the age of 66. Pepi lived in the lower part of the Old Bazaar and the market. He began his career at the end of the '80s when he returned from the USA to Macedonia, singing live on Radio Bitola shows.
His song 'Zavetna' is recognised as the unofficial hymn of the Macedonian people, and the lyrics of the song were written by Georgi Barbarovski, and his brother Mile Barbarovski who was the composer of the music, originating from the village of Dabile, Strumica. Pepi Baftirovski's opus includes but is not limited to anthological songs like 'Ako zgresham neka izgoram' (If I make a mistake, let me burn), 'Druga ljubov ne sakam' (I don't want another love), and 'Sine moj' (My son). Baftirovski found it difficult adjust away from Macedonia and had returned home to Macedonia.
In 2003, Pepi returned to Chicago, USA with his wife Ava Kersh, son, and daughter, where in 2007 he separated from his wife, but they remained in good terms until his death. Pepi's birth name was Redzep and his wish was to be buried in his homeland in Bitola, but his eternal resting place is in Chicago.
Pepi's soul, however, remains with the Macedonian people and his homeland.
Lyrics in Macedonian below:
Заветна
Негде ќе те премолчат,
негде ќе те сокријат,
гроб со гроба ќе покријат.
Само ти си бесмртна,
жива вода подземна,
кај што тонеш ти извираш.
Векови пеколни заедно ќе минеме,
древна земјо македонска,
така е пишано ништо да не бидеме,
ти без мене, јас без тебе.
Може да те одречат,
други да те предадат,
можат сешто да измислат.
Само ти си бесмртна,
жива вода подземна,
кај што тонеш ти извираш.
Векови пеколни заедно ќе минеме,
древна земјо македонска,
така е пишано ништо да не бидеме,
ти без мене, јас без тебе.