Zonaradiko – Here Upon the Grassy Meadow

Ζωναράδικο – Δω στα λιανοχορταρούδια. By Dionysis Savvopoulos

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Lyrics

Young men who’ve let their hair grow long and dress in black all over
bring messages for one whom I did once love very dearly,
while lying deep within my veins a bloodlike stretch of dark sea
speaks words of bitter content.

Here upon -aman, aman- here upon the grassy meadow,
here upon the grassy meadow, what a splendid dance there’ll be!

Of all God’s creatures only I must live so deeply mournful.
I, who loved you with my all, am on my own and lonesome.
Dark waters of a land-locked sea, my soul is forfeit to the
one who wants you more than I do.

Like a maypole’s coloured ribbons, five partridges1 were on the wing.

In magic arts and telling dreams, a bell and candelabrum,
Odessa, Varna and the City2, Constantza and Vraila,
and at a time that’s unrevealed, like one of Aimos’s volcanoes,
warlike legions overflowing.

Translated by John Leatham


1partridges: in Greek, synonymous with sweet and tender girls
2City: Constantinople

Original Lyrics

Ζωναράδικο - Δω στα λιανοχορταρούδια

Τα παιδιά με τα μαλλιά και με τα μαύρα ρούχα
φέρνουνε μηνύματα για μιαν αγάπη που ’χα
και στις φλέβες μου βαθιά, μαύρη θάλασσα σαν αίμα
λέει λόγια πικραμένα.

Δω στα λια- κι αμάν αμάν, δω στα λιανοχορταρούδια
δω στα λιανοχορταρούδια τι τρανός χορός π’ θα γένει.

Κανένα πλάσμα του Θεού δε ζει σε τέτοιο βάθος
όπου σ’ αγάπησα πολύ κι απόμεινα μονάχος
μαύρη θάλασσα κλειστή και ψυχή μου χαρισμένη
σ’ όποιον πιο πολύ σε θέλει.

Σα γαϊτάνι θα παaίνει, πέντι πέρδικις πιτούσαν,
μες στον κάμπο όλο γυρνούσαν, για τ’ εμάς τα δυο ρωτούσαν
ποια ’ν’ η άσπρη, ποια ’ν’ η ρούσα, ποια ’ν’ η γαϊτανοφρυδούσα.

Στα μάγια και στα όνειρα, καμπάνα και καντήλα
Πόλη, Βάρνα, Οδησσός, Κωστάντζα και Βραΐλα
και σε χρόνο μυστικό σαν ηφαίστειο του Αίμου
λεγεώνες του πολέμου.

Rhythm: 6 beats
Duration: 03:18

Recording information

Live recording from the concert The known and unknown Domna at the Megaron, the Athens Concert Hall, in 29/10/1998.

Credits

Socrates Sinopoulos

Constantinopolitan lute

Yiorgos Gevgelis

Daouli (davul)

Vangelis Karipis

Goblet drum

Iraklis Vavatsikas

Accordeon

Nikos Sakellarakis

Trumpet

Vangelis Zographos

Double bass

Vassilis Pierrakeas

Guitar

See also

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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
(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.