T تی by گاو

I’m a first-generation Iranian American, born by the Caspian Sea in Gilan, where we speak Gilaki a sweet, soulful dialect that holds a deep place in my heart.

After 43 years, I returned to my birth town and was heartbroken to see that many in the new generation no longer speak Gilaki. It’s fading.

So I decided to do something about it. I’m creating an album called

HOME + LAND
America, my home.
Gilan, my land.

Seven songs all in Gilaki.
Song 3: T

Music and performance: Jayce
Produced by: Patrick Aguirre

My hope is that, if young generation see us singing and dancing, they’ll feel the beauty of Gilaki dialect, and speak it with pride.

T = تی - in Gilaki
Possessive Pronoun- your / yours

It’s a love song inspired by an old Gilaki folk tune that I reimagined with new words and playful energy. Fun and jobuli in spirit, it celebrates love, laughter, and the rhythm that connects us to our roots.

Lyrics (in Gilaki)

سلام بگفتم‌تره، جواب ندی مَره
شاید فدای دل پاز اَنفَر دیگه‌ر

مَره لوچان نزن، میرم تی لوچان‌ره
دل قوربان کنم تی او سر و جان‌ره

ارم ارم عَیم شِمی خانه دور و ور
چی چینی منستان، زنم‌تره بال و پر

تی ناز مَره بیه بیه بیه
ابچه مَره ناز بکن

تی عه دله کوره کوره کوره کوره
امیزگره بازه بوکون

دله دله دله، امیزگره بازه بوکون

کوره کوره کوره، ابچه مَره ناز بوکون
دله دله دله، امیزگره بازه بوکن

می دل تی وسی کور دیوانه بوسته
می اشک و شادی افسنه بوسسته

ارم ارم عیم شِمی خانه دور و ور
چی چینی منستان، زنم‌تره بال و پر

تی ناز مَره بیه بیه بیه
ابچه مَره ناز بکون

تی عه دله کوره کوره کوره کوره
امیزگره بازه بوکون

دله دله دله، امیزگره بازه کن

کوره کوره کوره، ابچه مَره ناز بکون
دله دله دله، امیزگره بازه بوکون

English Translation (adapted, not word-for-word)

I said hello, but you didn’t reply,
Maybe you’ve given your heart to someone else.

Don’t tease me — I’ll love your tease,
But my heart still belongs to you.

Slowly, slowly, I walk around your home,
Like a bird, I spread my wings and call your name.

Give me, give me your love,
Why don’t you flirt and tease me a little?

Your heart, your heart — girl, girl,
Open your heart just a little.

Heart to heart, open the door,
Let our love and laughter flow.

Round and round, my sweetheart, come near,
Heart to heart, let joy appear.

My heart’s gone crazy just for you,
My tears and my joy are both for you.

Slowly, slowly, I walk around your home,
You spread your wings , and I call your name.

Your charm pulls me close, so near,
My sweetheart, show me your love.