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

Κάτοικος του χωριού Παλιούρι Διδυμοτείχου. Η Δόμνα Σαμίου τον συνάντησε το 1976 κατά τη διάρκεια των γυρισμάτων για την εκπομπή Μουσικό Οδοιπορικό με τη Δόμνα Σαμίου – Θράκη, Έβρος και μαζί με το γιο του Γιάννη Ζαφειρούδη  τής τραγούδησαν τραγούδια της περιοχής. Το καθιστικό τραγούδι Στην Πόλη ήμουν κι […]
Musician from Chandras, Orestiada. He played the clarinet and the flute. He worked with Dora Stratou and Karyofyllis Doitsidis. Domna Samiou met him in 1976 during shooting of the TV program Musical Travelogue with Domna Samiou – Thrace Evros (ΕΡΤ – 1977) where he accompanied Yannis Zafiroudis with his flute in […]
A farmer and amateur musician from Paliouri, Didymoteicho. Domna Samiou met him in 1976 during shooting of the TV program Musical Travelogue with Domna Samiou – Thrace, Evros together with his father Christos Zafiroudis they sang local songs for her. In the following video excerpt from the program, Zafiroudis sings […]
(1928-2013). Gaida-player from Asproneri in Didymoteicho, Evros. He played the gaida 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 (ΕΡΤ – 1977), where he played local tunes.