>can anybody help me with a translation of the following text? We have an old recording of this song here in the Phonogramm-Archiv of Vienna. It was recorded in 1905 in Varanasi and sung by Madhusūdan Keśava Jośī. On the protocol it is described as "Maratti-Song".
But is it Marathi at all?<
The language is definitely Marathi (full of Skt words). The transcription needs to be improved, especially in the area of separating the words. I suggest the improvements I can easily think of. For others, the original musst be heard and the context must be known, and one must have more time (which I do not have at present).
The transcription provided:
avalo kita madhumāsa navaśrī yetamahāśvetāhī
haṃsakanyakā savesakhīccya hāsata bolata kāṃh?īṃ
tijalā mainiṇatī sāṃgejā
ūnakopudartiva
I would suggest:
avalokita madhu-māsa-navaśrī yeta mahāśvetā hī
"Observing the fresh beauty of the month of Caitra, here comes Mahaa-;svetaa (or resplendently fair/white as an adjective of the next word)
haṃsakanyakā save sakhīcya hāsata bolata kāṃh?īṃ
The daughter of Ha.msa (or a swan), along with (her) friends, laughing (or smiling) and saying something
tijalā mainiṇatī [= maitri.na tii ?] sāṃge jā.una kopudartiva [= ?]