Ukrainian Retro: Вже осінь йде / Autumn Leaves - Ihor Shankovsky

Ihor Shankovsky, a Ukrainian poet, composer and translator, was born in 1931 in Stryi, Western Ukraine, then under Polish rule. His father, Lev Shankovsky, was a prominent figure in the Ukrainian armed national resistance. After World War II Ihor ended up with his family in the United States and subsequently served in the US forces during the Korean War. While based in Japan he recorded his first songs. He subsequently completed his studies in Edmonton and taught Slavic languages and literature at universities in Canada, USA, Germany and Italy (Trieste). In Canada, he recorded an album of his songs in the 1960s called “Туга на півночі“ (Longing in the North) of which this is one. It is called “Вже осінь йде“, or “Autumn's already approaching“, which is his variation on the melody and words of “Autumn Leaves“.