Obituaries
Worcester’s Eddie: Chandler Street, a Tricolor Tambourine, and Zungalo
Eddie Arvanigian, a native of Worcester and one of the original group of New England Armenian musicians in the 1950’s, passed away recently at the age of 81 in Dearborn, Mich. Services were held at St. Sarkis Church in Dearborn with memorial donations to St. Sarkis and Camp Haiastan.
Ed moved to Detroit in the mid 1950’s and began a 25-year career in contract negotiations at Ford Motor Co. before retiring and taking a position as account manager for his brother George’s Arvco Container
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My profound condolences and deepest sympathies to the Arvanigian Family.
The lyrics to the song entitled “Zungalo” are derived from a song prominent to the traditions of Armenian weddings in Ottoman Armenia prior to 1915. Traditionally, the bride was escorted by her family and friends to the groom’s house where the vows were exchanged as a civil legality. Then, the couple would be escorted to the church for the Sacrament of Marriage and of Crowning.
As the bride was walking to the groom’s house, they would sing a song which contains the refrain “Jharjharoum, Jharjharoum” (probably a dialect version of “Sharjharoum” meaning “moving, shifting”, and referring to the manner of procession of the bridal party). Here are the lyrics popular in the county of Palou, and which appear to be the source for Eddie Arvanigian’s revision as “Zungalo”.
The word “zungalo” probably is derived from “zungalik” which refers to an anklet with bells attached which may have been worn by the bride as a form of jewelry.
1. Egan danoghnit, jharjharoum;
Atchki hanoghnit, jharjharoum.
Mi lar, harsnoug, mi lar, atchert garmurvin;
Mi lar harsnoug, mi lar, kez bizdig garkoghin.
2. Aloj yem kaghel, jharjharoum;
Vodit yem tapel, jharjharoum.
Mi lar, harsnoug …
3. Ganantch moumerov, jharjharoum;
Garmir solerov, jharjharoum.
Mi lar, harsnoug …
a free translation:
1. The people who are coming to take you to the church have arrived, let’s go!
Those who have set their eyes upon you, let’s go!
Do not cry, little bride, your eyes will turn red!
Do not cry, little bride, there is a young man for you to marry!
2. I am going to pick “aloj” (a fruit, similar to a crab-apple) for you, let’s go!
I am going to cast the fruit at your feet, let’s go!
Do not cry, little bride …
3. Carrying evergreen candles, let’s go!
Wearing red slippers, let’s go!
Do not cry, little bride …
Thank you, dear Eddie, for bringing so much happiness to so many generations of Armenians, and thank you, Eddie and all of the musicians, for preserving and for perpetuating our traditions and culture.
May Almighty GOD bless and keep his soul in Eternal Light, and grant comfort to his family and friends and musical admirers.
The Babigian family of Worcester, MA wishes to express their belated condolences on the passing of Mr. Arvanigian. I remember my father’s stories of Worcester “back in the day” and they almost always included references to brothers Arvanigian as described above. Joined in heaven above I am sure they are right back creating memories to share with freinds and family forever.
Rest in Peace Uncle Eddie…