Ahead of its sixth Junior Eurovision participation, Albania will be hoping to score its first win. The country’s hopes, dreams and aspirations lie in the capable hands of balladeer Isea Çili and the song “Mikja Ime Fëmijëria” (My Childhood Friend).
Scroll down for “Mikja Ime Fëmijëria” lyrics
Albania in Junior Eurovision 2019: Isea Çili “Mikja Ime Fëmijëria”
Isea Çili was chosen through broadcaster RTSH’s pre-selection show Junior Fest 2019. Performing in Tirana, the 12-year-old beat out 17 other acts in the jury-only vote. “Mikja Ime Fëmijëria” has since had a slight revamp.
Isea’s first a taste of fame came after appearing on The Voice Kids Albania earlier this year, making it to the fourth week of the competition.
What do the “Mikja Ime Fëmijëria” lyrics mean?
On the cusp of entering her teenage years, Isea reminisces about her special childhood friend who, when thinking about them, has filled her heart. The song opens with lyrics indicating that this friend isn’t as present in Isea’s life as they used to be. Despite this, Isea remembers them fondly, including all the dreams, fairy tales and stories they came up with over the years.
A dear friend to me
I will never forget you
Singing songs to you
Full of dreams and fairy tales
Very particular stories
That fill my heart
Today
“Mikja Ime Fëmijëria” is a tale about growing up and moving on, without forgetting the good times spent with those who journeyed through life with you. While on the face of it, it may be about a particular childhood friend — there’s an analogy lurking through about one’s childhood slipping away, particularly as Isea spends her coming years navigating being a teenager.
It goes to show that Isea sings with a maturity well beyond her years. In the official video clip of the song, Isea stands in darkness, silhouetted on a stage while a bright LED backdrop animates the movement of music, bodies and the change from night to day. Dressed in an embellished white gown, the pint-sized singer belts out a pitch-perfect rendition of “Mikja Ime Fëmijëria” to her audience in a performance that’s full of emotion and presence.
This isn’t some stock-standard ballad — this is a song that screams Isea.
What do you think of Albania’s chances? Will this ballad power through to the top? Let us know in the comments. And click here to read more Junior Eurovision 2019 lyrics.
“Mikja Ime Fëmijëria” lyrics — Isea Çili (Albania JESC 2019)
Written by: Jorgo Papingji
Composed by: Saimir Çili
Albanian text
O mikja ime fëmijëri
ty të lutem me mua rri
në shpirt e ndjej tani
ti nuk vjen përsëri
ti nuk vjen unë e di
Ti në zemër ndez
melodinë e pranverës përcjell….
dhe në shpirt ti shkëlqen si një diell
plotë ngjyra
si një ylber
si një ylber
Fëmijëri të dua
mike e shtrenjtë për mua
jo s’do të harroj
me këngë ty të këndoj
me ëndërra dhe përralla
shumë histori të rralla
zemrën kam plotë
mbushur unë sot
Ti në zemër ndez
melodinë e pranverës përcjell
dhe në shpirt ti shkëlqen si një diell
plotë ngjyra
si një ylber
si një ylber
Fëmijëri të dua
mike e shtrenjtë për mua
jo s’do të harroj
me këngë ty të këndoj
me ëndërra dhe përralla
shumë histori të rralla
zemrën kam plotë
mbushur unë sot
Do mbetesh dashuri
ti o fëmijëri
zemrën time ndez
jetës i jep shpresë
mikja ime e mirë
të lutem më kupto
si tek çdo fëmijë
pranë meje ti qëndro
Fëmijëri të dua
mike e shtrenjtë për mua
jo s’do të harroj
me këngë ty të këndoj
me ëndërra dhe përralla
shumë histori të rralla
zemrën kam plotë
mbushur unë sot
Fëmijëri të dua
mike e shtrenjtë për mua
jo s’do të harroj
me këngë ty të këndoj
me ëndërra dhe përralla
shumë histori të rralla
zemrën kam plotë
mbushur unë sot
English translation
Oh my friend childhood
Please stay with me
I feel it in my soul
You won’t come again
You won’t return, I know
You ignite the heart
Conveying spring’s melody
And you shine like a sun in the soul
Full of colors
Like a rainbow
Like a rainbow
Childhood I love you
A dear friend to me
I will never forget you
Singing songs to you
Full of dreams and fairy tales
Very particular stories
That fill my heart
Today
You ignite the heart
Conveying spring’s melody
And you shine like a sun in the soul
Full of colors
Like a rainbow
Like a rainbow
Childhood I love you
A dear friend to me
I will never forget you
Singing songs to you
Full of dreams and fairy tales
Very particular stories
That fill my heart
Today
You will remain love
You childhood
You ignite my heart
Giving hope to life
My best friend
Please understand me
As in every child
Stay by me
Childhood I love you
A dear friend to me
I will never forget you
Singing songs to you
Full of dreams and fairytales
Very particular stories
That fill my heart
Today
Childhood I love you
A dear friend to me
I will never forget you
Singing songs to you
Full of dreams and fairy tales
Very particular stories
That fill my heart
Today
The only JESC entry ever to almost make me cry
I’m definitely giving one of my votes to Albania <3
This is truly beautiful. The musicality is mature in depth but also very fitting for a children’s contest.
A solid traditional ballad with a very thoughtful message behind it. I hope the staging does a good job conveying the lyrics, so casual viewers can get what’s about. But what really impressed me is how Isea already sounds like a grown-up singer. Not just because of her tone, but also because of the way she’s able to express emotions through notes. Albania is indeed a country full of very talented vocalists.
This is surprisingly amazing. Best ballad this year for me. Idk whether i’ll vote or not but this one would get my vote
That is how you write lyrics for JESC. Excellent stuff. The chorus is one of the best in the contest this year but the verses aren’t to that standard. I think it’s a top ten song if it connects.
fantastic lyrics, i was moved by it
Albania is always underrated in JESC. This song is very beautiful
I think her friend is actually a metaphor for her childhood, isn’t it? A beautiful song anyway
Probably more so than any other entry in this year’s JESC, the success of this entry will depend on the staging. If they get it right, it will allow viewers and jurors to understand the message of the song (which I heard is actually about her childhood friend who passed away), irrespective of the language barrier. This would enable the personal, intimate, and emotional aspect of the song to be showcased, and by virtue of that, this song will really stand out, in comparison to the other songs with less sentimental messages, and it will be a contender for the… Read more »
loved besoj, best Albanian entry for jesc
Actually the song is not for a friend who has passed away. She is singing about childhood , which she is considering like a friend. Just like childhood would be a person. The title of the song would be better translated “Childhood, my friend”.
Criminally underrated by fandon. The song is just outstanding and you can really feel the pain and emotion in her voice. I really, REALLY hope they won’t get underrated just like last year…
This is just a masterpiece. By far my favourite entery.