Thou Art a Vineyard () is a medieval Georgian hymn. It is attributed to King Demetrius I of Georgia (1093âÂÂ1156). Normally performed by a choir and without any musical accompaniment, it is an example of Georgian medieval polyphonic tradition.
Demetrius I is said to have written the hymn during his confinement as a monk in the David Gareja Monastery. The hymn is an allegory of Georgia and the patronage of the Virgin Mary; it is also a prayer of praise to Mary in the Georgian Orthodox Church.
As the lyrics do not mention any saints or gods by name, this was the only church-song that was permitted to be performed in the anti-religious Soviet Union. There are East Georgian (Kartli-Kakhetian) and West Georgian (Gurian) versions of this chant with very different musical compositions.
Thou Art a Vineyard is usually sung by a choir without instrumental accompaniment and is a classic example of Georgian choral music. The hymn is representative of the late Medieval traditions of the Georgian Renaissance.
It was performed in a Georgian 1969 film, Don't Grieve.
Its rendition can be heard in 'The Poet in the Prince's Court' segment of the Soviet Armenian film The Color of Pomegranates.
This hymn is used as one of Georgia's musical themes in the video-game expansion, '.