I Would I Were a Bird

Να ’μαν πουλί να πέταγα

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Songs About Greeks Far From Home (LP)

Lyrics

I would I were a bird to fly high up above the hill-tops,
and so survey what lies below, in distant, foreign countries
that I might see my well-beloved — might see the man I’ll marry,
the kind of lodgings where he stays…

Translated by John Leatham

Original Lyrics

Να ’μαν πουλί να πέταγα

Να ’μαν πουλί, να πέταγα ψηλά στα κορφοβούνια,
ν’ αγνάντευα ολόγυρα στα μακρινά τα ξένα,
να ’βλεπα την αγάπη μου, να ’βλεπα τον καλό μου,
σε τι σαντήρια κάθεται...

Region: Thrace
Rhythm: Free rythm
Duration: 03:35

Recording information

Studio recording (1989).


Watch a different version of the song by Domna Samiou

Credits

See also

A resident of the village of Paliouri in Didymoteicho. Domna Samiou met him in 1976 during the filming of the TV programme Musical Travelogue with Domna Samiou – Thrace, Evros. Together with his son, Υannis Zafiroudis, they sang to her songs from the local tradition. Domna included the table […]
Virtuoso of the clarinet and the flute, from the village of Chandras in Orestiada, Evros. He collaborated with Dora Stratou and Karyofyllis Doitsidis. He was one of the principal local bearers of the musical tradition of Thrace. During the shooting of the TV programme Musical Travelogue with Domna Samiou […]
A farmer and amateur violinist from Paliouri, Didymoteicho. Domna Samiou met him in 1976 during the shooting of the TV programme Musical Travelogue with Domna Samiou – Thrace, Evros. Together with his father, Christos Zafiroudis, he sang local songs for her. In the following video excerpt from the programme, […]
(1928–2013) | Gaida-player from Asproneri in Didymoteicho, Evros. He played and sang in weddings and feasts. Domna Samiou met him in 1976 during shooting of the TV program Musical Travelogue with Domna Samiou – Thrace, Evros (ΕRT, 1977), where he played local tunes.