How beautiful our bride

Όμορφη που ’ν’ η νύφη μας

00:00
Early last summer

Lyrics

Our bride is beautiful and I’ve no need of words;
her sweet cheeks are red as roses.

I’m telling you, so hear my words,
take joy and pride in them.

Don’t pinch your pennies, groom, make a little cage,
and put our bride in there, who’s not yet of age.

Slap me hard with your hand,
go fetch a wedding band.

Best man, who joined the cypresses with wedding crowns,
may God make you worthy to buy the christening gowns.

I’m singing this song to you, it’s ours;
so whack me with the flowers.

Translated by Michael Eleftheriou

Original Lyrics

Όμορφη που ’ν’ η νύφη μας

Ταραϊτά, ταραϊρά, ταρατα…

Όμορφη που ’ν’ η νύφη μας κι εγώ δεν θέλω λόγια
—ωχ, κι εγώ δεν θέλω λόγια—,
κι είναι τα μαγουλάκια της κόκκινα σαν τα ρόδα
— ωχ, κόκκινα σαν τα ρόδα.

Άντε, σε τα λέγω κι άκουγέ τα,
χαίρου και καμάρωνέ τα.

Γαμπρέ, μη λυπηθείς φλουριά και κάν’ ένα κλουβάκι,
και βάλε τη νυφούλα μας, που ’ναι κοπελουδάκι.

Άντε, μαστραπά* μου με το χέρι,
τό ’βρες το δικό σου ταίρι.

Κουμπάρε, που στεφάνωσες τα δύο κυπαρίσσια,
να σ’ αξιώσει ο Θεός να ’ρθεις και στα βαφτίσια.

Άντε, σέν’ τα λέγω τα τραγούδια,
μαστραπά με τα λουλούδια.


*μαστραπάς: πολυτελές κανάτι από μέταλλο, πορσελάνη ή γυαλί (τουρκ. maşrapa)

Region: Asia Minor
Category: Wedding Song
Rhythm: 4 beats
Duration: 03:18

Recording information

Live recording from the concert Songs of Asia Minor with Domna Samiou, held on 8 March 2005 at the Megaron — the Athens Concert Hall. Based on Domna Samiou’s 1978 field recording of the song in Kato Panagia, Kyllini (Peloponnese), with refugees from Kato Panagia, Erythraea (Asia Minor).


00:00

Our Comely Bride

Kato Panagia, Peloponnese, 1978

© Domna Samiou Archive

Credits

Domna Samiou
Domna Samiou

Tambourine

Discography

See also

An Asia Minor tribute concert. A tribute to the muse of the historical space of the Greek East. Traditional songs from the western coast of Asia Minor, the Propontis, Constantinople, Pontus and Cappadocia and two Byzantine hymns from the musical tradition of the Orthodox Church. A musical variety that is […]
On this LP, Domna Samiou presents songs and dances she recorded among refugees of Asia Minor: heartfelt interpretations dedicated to Baindiri, Domna’s hometown in Asia Minor. This LP complements ‘Songs of Asia Minor N° 1’ published in 1984.