Ataris

Άταρης

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Lyrics

I vowed to the Holy Virgin
not to sing again.
Ataris!
But for your sake
I will break the vow.
Four!

Once again four black eyes
got up to dance.
Ataris!
Four eyebrows like silken cords,
two cool, fresh bodies.
Four!

Translated by Mania Seferiades

Original Lyrics

Άταρης

Όρκο ‘καμα στην Παναγιά, ωχ αμάν, σεβνταλή μ’ αμάν
πια να μην τραγουδήσω, άταρης, αμάν αμάν, άταρης.
Mα ‘γω για το χατήρι σας, ωχ αμάν, σεβνταλή μ’ αμάν
τον όρκο θα πατήσω, τέσσερις, αμάν αμάν, τέσσερις.

Πάλιν εβγήκαν στο χορό τέσσερα μαύρα μάτια,
τέσσερα γαϊτανόφρυδα και δυο κορμιά δροσάτα.

Region: Asia Minor
Area: Erythraea, Alatsata
Type: Couplets
Category: Love Song
Rhythm: 4 beats
Duration: 02:49

Recording information

Studio recording, 1984. Domna Samiou taped the song in Nea Erythraea, Attiki, sung by Kleoniki Tzoanaki, in 1977.

00:00

Ataris

Kleoniki Tzoanaki. Nea Erythraea, Attica 1977

© Domna Samiou Archive

The same song, by Kleoniki Tzoanaki (TV program Musical Travelogue with Domna Samiou – Asia Minor)

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Ataris

Kleoniki Tzoanaki. Nea Erythraea, Attica 1977

© Domna Samiou Archive

Watch a different version go the song by Domna Samiou

Credits

Domna Samiou

Singers

Petros Athanasopoulos-Kalyvas

Clarinet

Alekos Pavlou-Arapakis

Violin

Tassos Diakogiorgis

Santur

Joanna Andrews

Oud

Kostas Pitsios

Lute

Kleoniki Tzoanaki

Informant (source of the song)

Discography

Songs of Asia Minor 1

See also

  • SongAsia MinorErythraea, AlatsataLove SongCouplets

Yatzilariani

  • Γιατζιλαριανή ⬥ I brought you a Good Evening, give me a Good Night I had no business here, I came only for you. Come out that I may see you and be comforted. Your eyes have burnt me, yet they are my joy and pride, if I don’t see them [...]
  • SongAsia MinorErythraea, AlatsataLove SongCouplets

Yioryitsa

  • Γιωργίτσα ⬥ I intended to love you, my Yioryítsa, and nobody to know of it. Now our own people learn of it, my Yioryítsa, strangers too learned of it. Come, Yiúla, Yiúla, Yiúla, come, take me, open your tow arms, put me inside. The jasmine at your door has blossomed [...]
  • SongAsia MinorErythraea, AlatsataLove SongCouplets

Balos from Alatsata

  • Αλατσατιανός μπάλος ⬥ Start, sweet tongue of mine, and remember, my lips, And you poor heart, tell what you know.  Of songs and commendations I also know a few But my modest tongue will not let me say them.  The feet support the body, the head sagacity And the tongue [...]
  • SongAsia MinorErythraea, MeliLove SongCouplets

The Water of Life

(Olmaz)

  • Από τα γλυκά σου μάτια ⬥ The water of Life flows from your sweet eyes. I asked you for a little but you didn’t give me any to drink. Impossible, my duck, impossible, you are doing your best to kill me. I told you not to tempt me and leave [...]
  • SongAsia MinorErythraea, MeliLove SongCouplets

Dimitroula

  • Δημητρούλα ⬥ You dance, my spoilt one, but I don't know who are you, from your stature you seem, scampish perivolaria, to be of noble birth. Go on, yiála, yiála, Dimitroúla! You didn't do well to shame me again in this neighbourhood. You dance, my spoilt one, and your father [...]