A Prince Is to Be Wed

Evil In-Laws

Αρχοντογιός παντρεύεται

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Lyrics

A prince is to be wed
to a dark-eyed bride whose folk sought refuge here.
His bride-to-be’s from uprooted stock,
little refugee I weep for thee.
When his mother heard the news
she uprooted trees, dearest dark-eyed maid,
she uprooted trees, uprooted maid I weep for thee.
She took two live snakes and fried them crisp.
– Come, bride, eat, I’ve fried you fish.
And the first bite poisoned her soul.
– Water, mother dear, for I am parched. Water or I shall die.
– I am grown old, daughter dear, no well can I recall.
– Water, my husband, for I am parched. Water or I shall die.
He went to fetch water but found her dead on his return.
– Mother, if you have another son,
marry him to a nobleman’s daughter.
And he took out his knife and thrust it in his heart.

Translated by Michael Eleftheriou

Original Lyrics

Αρχοντογιός παντρεύεται

Αρχοντογιός, αρχοντογιός παντρεύεται
και παίρνει προσφυγούλα, προσφυγούλα μαυρομάτα μου,
και παίρνει προσφυγούλα, προσφυγούλα σε κλαίν’ τα μάτια μου.
Η μάνα του σαν τ’ άκουσε τα δέντρα ξεριζώνει.
Πιάνει δυο φίδια ζωντανά, τα ξεροτηγανίζει.
– Έλα, νύφη, να φας φαΐ, ψάρια τηγανισμένα.
Την πρώτη βούκα πο’ ’βαλε ψυχή της φαρμακώθη.
– Νερό, μανούλα μ’, κι έσκασα, νεράκι, θα πεθάνω.
– Εγώ, νύφη μου, γέρασα, τη βρύση δεν την ξέρω.
– Νεράκι, ταίρι μ’, κι έσκασα, έσκασα, θα πεθάνω.
Όσου να πάει και να ’ρθει τη βρήκε πεθαμένη.
– Μάνα μ’, αν έχεις άλλο γιο δώσ’ του αρχοντοπούλα.
Και το μαχαίρι έβγαλε και στην καρδιά το μπήγει.

Region: Propontis
Rhythm: 7 beats
Dance: Syrtos
Duration: 05:26

Recording information

Studio recording (2006). Based on Domna Samiou’s field recording in 1982 in Nea Moudania, Chalkidiki, sung by 79-year-old Zoe Lionti, a refugee from Katirli, near Nicomedea, Asia Minor.

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A Prince Is to Be Wed

Zoe Lionti. Nea Moudania, Chalkidiki 1982

© Domna Samiou Archive

In Domna Samiou’s Archive, there is another version of the song from 1986, recorded by Eleonora Mosialou, in Agios Akakios, Karditsa, sung by 78-year-old Eleni Mosialou.

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A Prince Is to Be Wed

Eleni Moschialou. Agios Akakios, Karditsa 1986

© Domna Samiou Archive

Credits

Discography

See also