Zajdi, zajdi, jasno sonce (Macedonian: Зајди, зајди, јасно сонце; "Set, Set, O Clear Sun") is a contemporary Macedonian folk song written and composed by Aleksandar Sarievski in the style of newly composed folk. Different versions of the song are sung in other neighbouring Balkan countries.

Origins

Sarievski composed the melody and adapted the text from another source, saying:

The song Zajdi, zajdi, jasno sonce emerged from the folk song Černej, goro, černej, sestro. In listening to that song and occasionally singing it, I came up with the idea to make something similar in terms of content, but with a completely different melody. So, I gradually began to sing the song, which would soon after become very popular everywhere I sung it. That song means a lot to me because it was received well by many individuals interested in folk music, but above all it means a lot to me because it was accepted by the people. Every time I'd go somewhere I think everyone present expected me to sing it.^[1]

Lyrics of the song

Cultural references

• Vocals from the song were used in the track Innocence Lost from Phutureprimitive's Searching for Beauty in the Darkest Places Pt 2 studio album.^[2]
• The woodwind melody is used in the track "Message for the Queen" from the 300 Original Motion Picture Soundtrack.
• A version of the song was featured in the soundtrack for Battlefield 1.^[3]