If Only We Could Meet

Ήθελα να σ’ αντάμωνα

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Original Lyrics

Ήθελα να σ' αντάμωνα

Ήθελα να σ’ αντάμωνα, να σού ’λεγα καμπόσα
κι αν δε σου γύριζα το νου, ας μού ’κοβαν τη γλώσσα
μες στα Γιάννενα μια μπαξεβάναινα

Έβγα λουλούδι ’πό τη γης και ρόδο ’πό τ’ αγκάθι
Έβγα και συ μελαχρινή, που μ’ έβανες στα πάθη
μες στα Γιάννενα μια μπαξεβάναινα

Σαράντα βρύσες με νερό κι εξήντα δυο πηγάδια
δε μου τη σβήνουν τη φωτιά, πού ’χω στα φυλλοκάρδια
μες στα Γιάννενα μια μπαξεβάναινα

Region: Eastern Aegean
Area: Samothrace
Type: Couplets
Category: Love Song

Recording information

Studio recording, 2002. Collected in Samothrace by Nikólaos B. Phardýs, at the end of the 19th century (Markos Ph. Dragoumis, 85 Demotic Melodies from the manuscripts of Nikólaos Phardýs, Music Folklore Archive, Athens 1991, no 55, p. 28).

Credits

Thanassis Moraitis

Singers

Yiorgos Marinakis

Violin

Socrates Sinopoulos

Constantinopolitan lyra

Socrates Sinopoulos

Constantinopolitan lute

Kyriakos Tapakis

Lute

Kostas Meretakis

Bendir (frame drum)

Discography

In the Middle of the Sea

See also

  • SongEastern AegeanLesvos, SkoutaroHoly Week’s Ritual Song, Ritual Song

The Lament of the Virgin (Mytilene)

(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 [...]
  • SongEastern AegeanChiosLove Song, Sea and Sailors SongCouplets

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 I wished you were the sea and [...]
  • 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 thee I’m [...]
  • 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 [...]