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
Ναυτόπουλο ψυχομαχεί ⬥ I heard the shouting and the cries, they filled the Cyprus straits. I thought they must be slaughtering bulls or taming some wild beasts; I thought the Turks were making war upon the Frankish foe, but they weren’t slaughtering any bulls, nor taming some wild beasts, nor [...]
Ένας γέρος ηρκουντάνε ⬥ An old man -yes, an old man, an old man was approaching, an old man was approaching, his prick was hanging down– it wasn’t so much hanging down as being dragged along. An old hag met him on his way: "What’s that I see, old man?". [...]
Ένας γέρος ηρκουντάνε The song has explicit lyrics, and you can watch the video on YouTube if you're over 18. ⬥ An old man -yes, an old man, an old man was approaching, an old man was approaching, his prick was hanging down– it wasn’t so much hanging down [...]
Άρκοντες τρων και πίνουσι ⬥ The nobles sit to eat and drink around a marble table, a marble and a silver table, around a golden table, and all do only drink and eat, no word by them is spoken. Oh, let young Constantine just hum a melody that pleases to [...]
Ο Ανδρόνικος και η ρήγισσα ⬥ Famed Andronikos, who was born and raised in riches, started school on the 6th of the month and could read by the 7th. By the 8th and 9th he could write and add and take away, by the 10th and the 12th he could [...]
Νέβα κατέβα Παναγιά ⬥ Studio recording, 2008. Based on Simon Karas' recording which belongs to the Association for the Dissemination of Greek National Music. Local dance known as "siganos".
Χριστούγεννα Πρωτούγεννα ♦ Studio recording, 1974. Domna Samiou taped this carol in Astypalea, Dodecanese, sung by a boy and a man, in 1964. Verses have been added by Rena Sarli.
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 [...]
Δίστιχα της θάλασσας ⬥ The sea is humble and resigned, the wind disturbs its calm, a mother bears and rears her child, a stranger will embrace it. The sea waves pound upon the sand, I love you, what am I to do? The sea’s my mother, I have none other, [...]
Καλύμνικος πηδηχτός χορός (Σούστα) ⬥ Tune from Kalymnos. Recorded in 1961. Released in extended play 45 rpm discs (Fidelity 8041, & 7777, 1961) supervised by Domna Samiou.
Ντιρλαντά ⬥ Studio recording, in 1966. Released in 45 rpm disc (Fidelity 7375, 1966) supervised by Domna Samiou. Song of sponge-fishermen of Kalymnos with impromptu satiric verses.
Το Μαρούλι ⬥ 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 wear the diving-suit, and [...]
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 [...]
Άρκοντες τρων και πίνουσι ⬥ Some lords are eating and drinking at a marble table, a table of marble, silver and gold, they are all eating and drinking without saying a word. And young Kostantinos started singing quietly about his comrade Andronikos, a much-praised young man. – You're black, you [...]
Ηπούλησα τη βάρκα μου ⬥ In Saloniki I sold my boat but when I got home to Chios, I didn’t have a groat. Heave ho once, man the sails Heave ho twice, to the village Heave ho thrice, maid come to see my face. Off Diachori our nets we cast, [...]
