Ένα καράβι κρητικό ⬥ – A Cretan ship, nor large nor small, just two and forty cubits long, brought me to strange and unknown lands. – O alien, exiled far from home, you walk in strange and unknown lands. – T’was here what I did take to wife a Frankish [...]
Πέρτικαν εμέρωνα ⬥ A partridge I did tame, through April ’til May came, the tamer she became, the more she did complain. All afire deep inside, I hurled her far and wide, at the mount all rocky, all rock-strewn and stony. Translated by Michael Eleftheriou
Ένας άγουρος κι ένας καλός στρατιώτης ⬥ A young and gallant soldier Sought a citadel, a citadel. He sought a citadel, a village to stop at. He found none, no citadel. He found neither citadel nor village to stop at; he found, he found a tree. He found a tree, [...]
Μην κλαις ⬥ Studio recording (2001). This song was sung in Malacopi, after the song Wedding Procession Song, during the procession leading the bride to church for the wedding. The usual accompaniment was no more than one or two tambourines.
Νέβα κατέβα Παναγιά ⬥ Local dance known as "siganos". Studio recording (2008). Based on Simon Karas' recording which belongs to the Association for the Dissemination of Greek National Music.
Έλα Χριστέ και Παναγιά (1) ⬥ Studio recording (2008). Based on Simon Karas' recording which belongs to the Association for the Dissemination of Greek National Music.
Ας είν' η ώρα η καλή ⬥ A traditional local dance performed during weddings and engagements, commonly known as ''klistos" (closed) or "nyfiatikos" (bridal). Based on Domna Samiou's 1976 field recording in Kymi, Euboea.
Σιμά σα ξημερώματα ⬥ Close to daybreak, dawn’s crack in the East, the Morning Star aloft, first light near at hand. The sun was a- telling, ‘daughter you’re leaving home’. The moon looks on and laughs, the leaves murmur, a breeze blows off the meadow, the fir trees shimmer. Translated [...]
Ελάτε όλα τα πουλιά ⬥ Come all you birds to make dough, help O Virgin, now gold has merged with pearl, help O Virgin. I make a round loaf for the bridegroom, a round loaf for the groomsman, help O Virgin. A chestnut woven basket for them to take to [...]
Στολίσετε το νυφικό ⬥ Zambeta Ventouri-Veniou from Kimolos island, taped the song in 1998 and gave it to Domna Samiou along with nine other songs of the region in order to include them in her music archive.
Έπαρ' σινιά ⬥ Studio recording, 2001. In Anakoú on the eve of the wedding towards the end of the day, the bride’s hair was washed and she was suitingly dressed up. Up to 1850 the bride used to cover her face with four or five veils. Then, according to the [...]
Όμορφη που ‘ν’ η νύφη μας ⬥ Our bride is beautiful and I’ve no need of words Her sweet cheeks are red as roses. I’m telling you so hear my words Take joy and pride in them. Don’t pinch your pennies, groom, make a little cage And put our bride [...]
