A Great Command

Μια προυσταγή μιγάλη

00:00

Lyrics

And the king did command
and ’twas a great command:
fleet and admiral were to quit the land.
By the Lord’s command and the King’s if-you-please
the fleet was to sail for the twelve islands.
Many fine ships rounded Cavo Doro, fair flying by;
when Lambros saw them, he heaved a great sigh
and piped all his brave lads up to the stern.
– Come get it, barbarians, come give it your best
how Lambros’ men fight you soon will learn.

Translated by Michael Eleftheriou

Photo: The battle of Sfaktiria (1825), coloured lithograph, Athens, National Historical Museum, no. 4663.

Original Lyrics

Μια προυσταγή μιγάλη

Μια προυσταγή μιγά-, μια προυσταγή μιγά-,
μια προυσταγή μιγάλη προυστάζ’ ου βασιλιάς
να κατιβ’ η γιαρμάδα κι ου καπουδάν πασάς.
Να κατιβ’ η γιαρμάδα κι ου καπουδάν πασάς.
Μι του Θιού του λόγου κι μι του βασιλιά,
η γιαρμάδα ν-ικατέβη στα δώδικα νησιά.
Βγαίνουν στουν Κάβου Ντόρου καράβια φουβιρά.
Σαν τα ’δινι ου Λάμπρους βαριά ’ναστέναξε
κι όλα τα παλληκάρια στην πρύμη τα ’μασε.
– Για ’λάτε, βαρβαρέσοι, για ’λάτε, βρε σκυλιά,
να δεις πώς πολεμούνε του Λάμπρου τα σπαθιά.

Region: Macedonia
Area: Chalkidiki, Ierissos
Category: Historical Song
Rhythm: 4 beats
Dance: Kangeleftos
Duration: 04:55

Recording information

Studio recording (2004). Based on Domna Samiou’s field recording in 1972 in Ierissos, Chalkidiki, sung by Yiorgos and Roula Tzitzou.

Credits

Domna Samiou

Singers

Domna Samiou Greek Folk Music Association Choir

Choir

Socrates Sinopoulos

Constantinopolitan lyra

Andreas Pappas

Daouli (davul)

Yiorgos Tzitzos

Informant (source of the song)

Roula Tzitzou

Informant (source of the song)

Discography

Songs of History and Heroes

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