Forty Five Craftsmen

Arta’s Βridge

Σαράντα πέντε μάστοροι

00:00
Farewell, Holy One

Original Lyrics

Σαράντα πέντε μάστοροι

Σαράντα πέντε μάστοροι, ματάκια μου,
κι εξήντα μαθητούδια, πού πας καρδιά καμέ[νη];

Καμάρα ν-έχτιζαν γιαλό, καμάρα θεμελιώνουν,
όλη μερίτσα έχτιζαν, κι απέ βραδίς χαλνούσεν.
Πουλάκι πάησι κι έκατσε ζερβά ’πό την καμάρα,
δεν κελαηδούσε σαν πουλί, σαν αγριοπούλι απού ’ταν,
μόν’ κελαηδούσε κι έλεγε μ’ ανθρώπινη λαλίτσα:
«Αν δεν στοιχειώσ’τε άνθρωπο, καμάρα δε στεριώνει».

Region: Macedonia
Area: Chalkidiki, Ierissos
Category: Fable Song (Ballad), Ritual Song
Rhythm: 4 beats
Dance: Kangeleftos
Duration: 03:00

Recording information

Studio recording (1973). Based on Domna Samiou’s 1972 field recording of the song in Ierissos, Chalkidiki, sung by Yannis Tsirigotis, Eleni Tsirigoti, Alexandra Roumelianaki, Yiorgos Tzitzos and Yannis Migdis.

00:00

Forty Five Craftsmen

Yannis Tsirigotis, Eleni Tsirigoti, Alexandra Roumelianaki, Yiorgos Tzitzos and Yannis Migdis. Ierissos, Chalkidiki, 1972.

© Domna Samiou Archive

Credits

default-user-icon_sq.webp
Mixed choir

Choir

Mathios Balabanis
Mathios Balabanis

Daouli (davul)

default-user-icon_sq.webp
Yannis Tsirigotis

Informant (source of the song)

Discography

Farewell, Holy One
Farewell Holy One

See also

  • SongMacedoniaChalkidiki, IerissosEaster Song, Local Event, Ritual Song

Why, It Was Easter Day

(Easter Dance Song)

  • Why, it was Easter Day, good George, t’was Easter, the day of happy tidings, my good George, a day of happy tidings, dear Doúkina. All feasted then, and all caroused, and that day all made merry, and George, he idly hung about outside his own front door. Now you see [...]
  • SongMacedoniaChalkidiki, IerissosEaster Song, Ritual Song

Now Hear Me,…

(Easter Dance Song)

  • Άκουσ’ ισύ προυτουσυρτή ⬥ Now hear me, you who leads the dance and you who twists and tangles direct the dance along a course resembling reeds a-swaying. I’ll spot the girls both tall and slim, and her whom I’m in love with, and him who has her by the hand, [...]
  • SongMacedoniaChalkidiki, IerissosSea and Sailors Song

The Words Gone Round

  • Ήρθαν τα Κρητικά παιδιά ⬥ The word’s gone round: the lads from Crete, the lads who hail from Crete, those brave and comely Cretan lads, have now cast anchor here. The comely and attractive ones and those who are betrothed, they’ve fitted out of sailing ship to sail the open [...]
  • SongMacedoniaChalkidiki, IerissosHistorical Song

A Great Command

  • Μια προυσταγή μιγάλη ⬥ 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 [...]
  • SongMacedoniaChalkidiki, IerissosLove Song

Little White Bird A-Sitting

  • Άσπρο πουλάκι κάθεται ⬥ There sits my little white bird, my fair white bird, sitting on a green branch. A white bird sitting on a green branch grooming its plumage and its love, says, – My summer love, if only I had you for winter, too: in the summer for [...]