I Want to Savour All the Months

Όλους τους μήνες τους θέλω

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Lyrics

I want to savour all the months, I want to know them all,
but oh , not March, I can’t abide the dreadful month of March.
The month of March I would forget, the month of sad good-byes.
It crews and rings sponge-fishing boats and sends them off to sea.
My man is one of those signed on and sails soon in the boat.
You are about to sail, good man, but me, where will you leave me?
Take me along with you, my man, aboard the boat you’re in.
I’ll cook your supper, make your bunk for you to eat and sleep,
I’ll wash your clothes out for you, man, in that silver bowl…

Translated by John Leatham

Original Lyrics

Όλους τους μήνες τους θέλω

Όλους, όλους τους μήνες τους θέλω, κι όλους τους καλοθέλω,
ωχ , το Μά- τράβα το χορό, ωχ , το Μάρτη μήνα δε θέλω

το Μάρτη μήνα δε θέλω γιατ’ είναι ταξιδιάρης.
Γιατί αρματώνει κάτεργα και ξεκινάει καράβια,
κινά κι εμέν’ αφέντης μου μαζί με το καράβι.
Εσύ φεύγεις, αφέντη μου, κι εμένα πού μ’ αφήνεις;
Πάρε κι εμέν’ αφέντη μου, μαζί με το καράβι,
να μαγειρεύω να δειπνάς, να στρώνω να κοιμάσαι
να πλένω τα ρουχάκια σου στην αργυρολεκάνη...

Region: Propontis
Subject: Οι γυναίκες των ναυτικών
Category: Sea and Sailors Song
Rhythm: 2 beats
Duration: 03:26

Recording information

Studio recording, 2001.

Based on Simon Karas’ recording which belongs to the Association for the Dissemination of Greek National Music.

Credits

Katerina Papadopoulou

Singers

Nikos Oikonomidis

Violin

Socrates Sinopoulos

Constantinopolitan lute

Kostas Philippidis

Lute

Vangelis Karipis

Goblet drum

Discography

Songs of Dame Sea

See also

  • SongPontusInepolisImmigration Song, Sea and Sailors Song

The Ship Is My House

  • The ship is my house, the sea my courtyard and the waves of the north wind, are my comfort. A little stranger is dying at the ships prow, he hasnt got a mother to weep for him, a father to grieve, nor brother nor sister nor any friend or relative. [...]
  • SongPropontisSea and Sailors Song

I Wish for All the Months in Turn

  • Όλους τους μήνες τους θέλω ⬥ I wish for all the months in turn, await them all with longing, but not, o not, the month of March when folks embark on travel. That month fits galleys out for sea and slips a vessel’s moorings. My husband also makes to go, [...]
  • SongDodecaneseKalymnosSea and Sailors Song, Work Song

Exile Is the Greatest Hardship

  • Ο μισεμός είναι καημός ⬥ Exile is the greatest hardship, the parting so upsetting but oh, that greeting  “Welcome home”, oh that Maroúli,1 is bliss. The diver’s air-pump is my mother, the winding winch my sister and on my mate upon the deck2 my very life depends. For you, I [...]
  • SongPropontisMarmaraSea and Sailors Song, Work Song

Selim

  • Σελίμ ⬥ Our boat is rigged, élessa-yialéssa, and goes to cast nets, elessa-yialessa. Élli, yiamóli, yiássa, íssa, hó! Vré háide, vré hoúide, tsalapalatsíngo! We cast our nets at Kerassia*, élessa-yialéssa, and drew three thousand, élessa-yialéssa. We took them to Marmara, élessa-yialéssa, and we made money, élessa-yialéssa. *village on the Thracian [...]
  • SongPropontisMarmaraParty SongCouplets, Table Song

Well Met

  • Καλώς ανταμωθήκαμε ⬥ Well met to all of us who love each other, who are joyful for a while and of a glad heart. Vré, off the beach I’m chasing little fish. Welcome to the clouds that brought back a fair wind, they brought back the men of Marmara who [...]