Regina Europa?

Bosnia Herzegovina has a repuation for submitting thoughtful and melodic songs to the Eurovision, even winning the Australian Radio Listeners' Choice award in 2008. This year sees another strong entry from long-established Bosnian group Regina who have previously appeared on stage with the Rolling Stones.

It's unclear at first whether the song is a love song or a political anthem, as the music veers unexpectedly between both styles, and the red-flag waving dancers on stage do not add clarity. However the translated lyrics do reveal it is a love song, although it is unclear whether the singer is pining for a girl or the certainties of the vanished communist Yugoslavia and its May parades.

Unofficial English Translation

Clear Water

I’ve asked some people in my neighborhood
where does my soul live
Because a secret for me
they say you’re keeping, my dear
I’ve asked them to give me back
the time, days, hours,
There’s love scent
in the Spring
they say

Give me birth
at a May dawn
Bathe me
in clear water
I’m keeping a flower
when everybody else leaves
I’m keeping you
for as long as I live

Steal a bit of sun for us
there’s no tomorrow, no today
It’s easy
when a song finds your heart

Give me birth
at a May dawn
Bathe me
in clear water
I’m keeping a flower
when everybody else leaves
I’m keeping you
for as long as I live

Give me birth
at a May dawn
Bathe me
in clear water
I’m keeping a flower
when everybody else leaves
I’m keeping you
for as long as I live