At Tserítsiana’s Well

Στη βρύση στα Τσερίτσιανα

00:00

Lyrics

At the well of Tserítsiana,
in the heart of the land, hail fine fellows,
there were Bulubasiades watching.
There were Bulubasiades and there were Margaritiotes.
And they watched the Souliots waging war
[how children fought, and women like their menfolk],
how Tzavelas’ wife fought like the bravest levendis1
advancing all the while with bullets in her apron,
cartridges in her belt, and a child in her arms.

Translated by Michael Eleftheriou

1levéndis: a young man blessed with courage and physical presence

Original Lyrics

Στη βρύση στα Τσερίτσιανα

Στη βρύση στα Τσερί -νι-τσιανα,
στη μέ- μωρέ στη μέσ’ από τη χώρα
Μπουλουμπασιά- άι γεια σας παιδιά,
Μπουλουμπασιάδες κάθουνταν.

Μπουλουμπασιάδες κάθουνταν κι όλο Μαργαριτιώτες.
Κι αγνάντιβαν τον πόλιμο που κάνουν οι Σουλιώτες
(πώς πολιμάν μικρά παιδιά, γυναίκες σαν τους άντρες),
πώς πολιμά η Τζαβέλαινα σαν άξιο παλικάρι,
σέρνει τα βόλια στην ποδιά, φυσέκια στο ζουνάρι,
και το παιδί στην αγκαλιά κι όλο μπροστά πηγαίνει.

Region: Epirus
Category: Klephtic Song
Rhythm: 3 beats, 4 beats
Dance: Local dance
Duration: 07:22

Recording information

Studio recording, 2004.

Based on Simon Karas' recording which belongs to the Association for the Dissemination of Greek National Music.

Credits

Antonis Kyritsis

Singers

Thodoris Georgopoulos

Clarinet

Nikos Oikonomidis

Violin

Kostas Philippidis

Lute

Andreas Pappas

Tambourine

Discography

Songs of History and Heroes

See also

  • SongEpirusKlephtic Song

Katsantónis

  • Κατσαντώνης ⬥ Hail, high mountains and you, low hills, hail dear Katsantonis and you, low-lying hills, my captain hail. And you Tzoumerka and Ágrafa, brave warriors’ lairs. Ne’er say they captured me, for ’twas by treachery and guile they found me, laid out sick and unarmed upon my bed. Translated [...]
  • SongEpirusKlephtic Song

Samarina

  • Σαμαρίνα ⬥ Hey, you young klephts, you sons of Samarina, if you go up to the mountains, the Samarina way [don’t fire off shots, don’t belt out songs]. And if my mum and cunning sister ask you don’t tell them I got killed and that I am dead, just tell [...]
  • SongEpirusKlephtic Song

Katsantonis

  • Κατσαντώνης ⬥ Hail, high mountains and you, low hills, hail dear Katsantónis and you, low-lying hills, my captain hail. And you Tzoumérka and Ágrafa, brave warriors' lairs. Ne'er say they captured me, for 'twas by treachery and guile they found me, laid out sick and unarmed upon my bed. Translated [...]
  • SongEpirusBawdy Song, Carnival Song

How Do They Grind the Pepper (Explicit)

  • Πώς το τρίβουν το πιπέρι ⬥ How do they grind, good shepherdess, how do they grind the pepper, how do they grind the pepper, those diabolic monks? With the knee, good shepherdess, they grind it with the knee, with the knee they grind it, and they grind it fine. Ho [...]
  • SongEpirusEaster Song, Lament, Ritual Song

Today, dear George…

(Necrolatric Dance of Easter)

  • Σήμερα Γιώργη μ’ Πασχαλιά ⬥ Today, dear George, is Easter Day, my dearest George, my dearest George, Today’s a major holiday, my dearest George, my handsome boy. Today young men dress in their best, and join the promenade. But you, dear George, did not show up, to join the promenade. [...]