I Have Spent a Life Awaiting You

Ήσουν μικρή σ’ απάντεχα

00:00
Wedding Serenade

Original Lyrics

Ήσουν μικρή σ' απάντεχα

Ήσουν μικρή σ’ απάντεχα, Σμυρνιά μου·
μεγάλη δε σε πήρα, Τενεδιά μου.
Να δώσ’ ο Θιός κι η Παναγία, Σμυρνιά μου,
για να σε πάρω χήρα, Τενεδιά μου.
Πες με να ζουν τα μάτια σου, Σμυρνιά μου·
να ζει και το κορμί σου, Τενεδιά μου.
Όταν αργήσεις να με δεις, Σμυρνιά μου,
δε σε πονεί η ψυχή σου, Τενεδιά μου;

Region: Eastern Aegean
Area: Samothrace
Category: Love Song
Duration: 03:30

Recording information

Studio recording (2002). Based on Nikolaos B. Phardys’ late 19th-century field recording of the song in Samothrace (Markos Ph. Dragoumis, 85 Demotic Melodies from the manuscripts of Nikolaos Phardys, Music Folklore Archive, Athens 1991, no 40, p. 72).

The song is included in the album In the Middle of the Sea, songs from Samothrace, produced by Friends of the Melpo Merlier Music Folklore Archive (2002).
Unreleased recordings from manuscripts by Nikólaos B. Phardýs of the late 19th century (19 songs) and some recordings Markos Ph. Dragoumis made in 1961 (3 songs). Musical supervision by Socrates Sinopoulos.

Credits

Domna Samiou
Domna Samiou

Singers

Yiorgos Marinakis
Yiorgos Marinakis

Violin

Socrates Sinopoulos
Socrates Sinopoulos

Constantinopolitan lute

Kyriakos Tapakis
Kyriakos Tapakis

Lute

Kostas Meretakis
Kostas Meretakis

Bendir (frame drum)

Kostas Meretakis
Kostas Meretakis

Zil bells

Discography

See also

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(Holy Week Lament)

  • Το μοιρολόι της Παναγιάς (Μυτιλήνη) ⬥ ... Obediently returning home, she laid the supper table and patiently sat down to wait until her son should come back. Saint Good passed by and called on her and wished her a good evening: – How, with a son upon the cross, his [...]
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Dear Mother, I Am Awfully Tired

  • Βαρέθηκα, μανούλα μου ⬥ Dear mother, I am awfully tired of gazing out to sea – to sea, of gazing out to sea – to sea; of asking the postman if I’ve got, if I’ve got a letter – a letter, and receiving no letter – no letter. Oh, how [...]
  • SongEastern AegeanChiosSea and Sailors Song

I Want to Sail Away

  • Να τα ταξιδέψω θέλω ⬥ I would sail away, I would — eri pali, in Attaleia’s waters —yea, eri pali— with the vessels from Psara, who have sailors true and fine, who have sailors, fine and hearty, and who port aboard the sails, leaping into fire and gales. Said to [...]
  • SongEastern AegeanChiosLove Song, Sea and Sailors SongCouplets

Little Ship, Where Are You Going

  • Καράβι καραβάκι ⬥ Little ship, where are you going shore to shore, come out so I can see you You’ve cast a spell on me and I am mad about you, your sister’s put a spell on me and I am mad about you. with red flag and golden cross, come out [...]
  • SongEastern AegeanChiosFable Song (Ballad)

A Trader Made His Way

  • Πραματευτής κατέβαινε ⬥ A trader made his way from Bulgar lands. He led his trains of twelve and fifteen mules and sang and spoke the while he trekked along: "A pity brigands don’t frequent these hills". No sooner said and three confronted him, and cut the ropes and started to [...]