I Would I Were a Bird

Να ‘μαν πουλί να πέταγα

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Lyrics

I would I were a bird to fly high up above the hill-tops,
and so survey what lies below in distant foreign countries
that I might see my well-beloved, might see the man I’ll marry,
the kind of lodgings where he stays…

Translated by John Leatham

Original Lyrics

Να 'μαν πουλί να πέταγα

Να ’μαν πουλί να πέταγα ψηλά στα κορφοβούνια
ν’ αγνάντευα ολόγυρα στα μακρινά τα ξένα
να ’βλεπα την αγάπη μου, να ’βλεπα τον καλό μου
σε τι σαντήρια κάθεται...

Region: Thrace
Type: Table Song
Category: Immigration Song
Rhythm: Free rythm
Duration: 03:35

Recording information

Studio recording, 1989.

Watch a different version of the song by Domna Samiou

Credits

Domna Samiou

Singers

Discography

Songs About Greeks Far From Home (LP)
Songs About Greeks Far From Home

See also

  • The "Musical Travelogue"

Musical Travelogue with Domna Samiou – Thrace, Evros

  • An episode dedicated to the musical tradition of Thrace and specifically that of the Evros district. An ancient legend has it that Orpheus taught music throughout Thrace and finally found a tragic death in the river Evros. As the crossroad to the East, Thrace received many influences, but still maintains [...]
  • Collaborators

Christos Zafiroudis

Christos Zafiroudis lived in Paliouri, Didymoteicho. Domna Samiou met him in 1976 during the taping of the TV series Musical Travelogue with Domna Samiou – Thrace, Evros, and, together with his son, Yannis Zafiroudis, they sang for her local songs. Domna Samiou included the table song In Constantinople I […]
  • Collaborators

Christos Kanakidis (Zachardelas)

Musician from Chandras, Orestiada. He played the clarinet and the flute. He worked with Dora Stratou and Karyofyllis Doitsidis. Domna Samiou met him in 1976 during shooting of the TV program Musical Travelogue with Domna Samiou – Thrace Evros (ΕΡΤ – 1977) where he accompanied Yannis Zafiroudis with his flute in […]
  • Collaborators

Yannis Zafiroudis

A farmer and amateur musician from Paliouri, Didymoteicho. Domna Samiou met him in 1976 during shooting of the TV program Musical Travelogue with Domna Samiou – Thrace, Evros together with his father Christos Zafiroudis they sang local songs for her. In the following video excerpt from the program, Zafiroudis sings […]
  • Collaborators

Yiorgos Demerdjis

(1928-2013). Gaida-player from Asproneri in Didymoteicho, Evros. He played the gaida and sang in weddings and feasts. Domna Samiou met him in 1976 during shooting of the TV program Musical Travelogue with Domna Samiou – Thrace, Evros (ΕΡΤ – 1977), where he played local tunes.