Κόρη ξανθή τραγούδησε ⬥ A fair maid did sing upon a rope bridge, but the bridge collapsed, and the river stood still. And the river spirit came to her and asked: – Girl, if you are still a maid, may you never know a man, and if you’ve children and [...]
Πανηγυράκι γίνεται (Local Dance of Saint George) ⬥ A festival is being held, high up around Saint George’s. – Salutations, Frankish lord! A multitude was at the feast and there was little water, – Coming ! Out of there! Show me! A ribbon and a maypole, a ribbon loosely woven, [...]
Καλογριά γκαστρώθηκε ⬥ A nun swelled up with child and bore a manly boy. Within a month he was carrying a sword, within a year a musket and at three or four he set off to war. His mother told him, she advised him thus: – Kostantis, do as the [...]
Σεργιάνι 'ναι στη Σεργιανή ⬥ Studio recording, 1986. Based on Simon Karas' recording which belongs to the Association for the Dissemination of Greek National Music.
Όλοι πάνε στην εκκλησά ⬥ All attend –for sake of Christ– all attend at church to exclaim that ‘Christ is Risen!’ and to hear the Word. As for me, they send me to the shore to guard some sailing vessels. I can see some sailing ships approach and boats are [...]
Τ’ Αντρούτσου η μάνα ⬥ Androutsos’ mother is glad, Androutsos’ mother is glad and Diakos’ proud For they have warriors and captains for sons who set the Turks to flight, spahis1 and janissaries,2 one at the Inn of Graviá, the other at Alamana. Translated by Michael Eleftheriou 1spahis: a cavalryman [...]
Θεια μου Νικολάκαινα ⬥ Auntie Nikolakena, you haven’t acted very wisely; you silly bitch, you’ve sent your girl to gather sticks for kindling. The young lad at the trysting-place now holds her firmly by the hand. I pull her this way, she pulls that; the good Lord wills it so: [...]
Θεια μου Νικολάκαινα The song has explicit lyrics, and you can watch the video on YouTube if you're over 18. ⬥ Auntie Nikolakena, you haven’t acted very wisely; you silly bitch, you’ve sent your girl to gather sticks for kindling. The young lad at the trysting-place now holds her [...]
Φέξε μου φεγγαράκι μου ⬥ Come on shine, dear moon, beam, moon dear, light the way to my love. Beam high and low, for it's muddy and wet; beam still lower, so I can go still quicker. Translated by Michael Eleftheriou
Ας είν' η ώρα η καλή ⬥ Domna Samiou taped the song in Kymi, Euboea, in 1976. Local dance, danced during weddings and engagements, known as "klistos" (closed) or "nyfiatikos" (bridal).
Περάσαν οι Αποκριές ⬥ Why, Carnival is ended now, and Cheese-week’s past as well and, gracious me, the Lenten fast, the Lenten fast’s with us. The Lenten fast’s upon us now, a fast of seven weeks. Come close to me, I will not come, for I am young and am [...]
Συμπάθησέ με γειτονιά ⬥ Studio recording, 1968. Released in 1968, in the LP Songs of Central Greece and Peloponnese (Fidelity 4012 PY, 1968) supervised by Domna Samiou.
Θρήνος μεγάλος έγινε ⬥ Great sorrow was expressed in Mesolonghi town; for they are taking Markos to the church, my lads. They’re taking Markos to the church for burial; sixty priests walk on ahead. A wind disturbs the branches of the broad-leaved trees. Good Lord preserve from harm Greek children [...]
Πέθαν’ ο Κρέας ⬥ He’s dead, o mother dear, he’s dead, he’s dead is Master Meat, he’s dead is Master Meat, he’s dead, and Master Cheese is dying. Now Master Leek lifts up his tail and Master Onion his beard, and Mistress Chard, that saucy Chard, sits upon the rim, [...]
