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Ήρθ’ ου Λάζαρους
It is the feast of Lazarus, the feast of Palms is nigh.
– Where were you, Lazarus, where did you hide yourself?
– Why, I was in the tomb, entombed within the earth.
Give me, give me cool spring water, my mouth is full of bitter poison.
– Rise up, Lazarus, don’t fall asleep,
your mother’s come here from the City,1
she’s brought you paper and prayer-beads.
– Palms, Palm Sunday palms, we eat fish and mackerel,
and when next Sunday dawns, we’ll be eating the fat lamb.
– Your henny-penny lays so many eggs,
there’s no room left inside your nesting-box.
Give us some eggs, for we’ll enjoy them,
and next year we’ll be back again.
– My basket wants an egg in it,
so does my pocket want an eggsby.
– Lasarina, poultry maid, put an egg into the basket.
Many happy returns!
Translated by John Leatham
1City: Constantinople
Ήρθ’ ου Λάζαρους, ήρθαν τα βάγια.
«Πού ήσαν Λάζαρε, πού ήσαν κρυμμένους;».
«Μες στου χάντακα, χαντακουμένους.
Δώσ’ μι, δώσ’ μι κρύου νιράκι
γιατ’ είναι του στόμα μου, πικρό φαρμάκι».
«Σήκου Λάζαρε κι μην κοιμάσι
ήρθ’ η μάνα σου από την Πόλη
σ’ ίφιρι χαρτί κι κουμπουλόι».
Βάια, βάια του Βαϊού,
τρώμι ψάρια και κουλιού
και την άλλη Κυριακή
τρώμε το παχύ τ’ αρνί.
Η κουτίτσα σας αβγά γιννάει
κι η φουλίτσα σας δεν τα χουράει
δώστε μας να τα χαρούμε
και του χρόνου πάλι να ρθούμε.
Του καλαθάκι μ’ θέλ’ αβγό
κι η τζιπούλα μ’ θέλ’ κουκό(σες)1
Λαζαρίνα, κουκουτίνα2
βάλ’ αβγό στην καλαθίνα.
Και του χρόνου.
1κουκόσες: καρύδια
2κουκουτίνα: η μικρή Λαζαρίνα που κρατάει το καλάθι και μαζεύει τα αβγά που δίνουν οι νοικοκυρές
Lazarene carols are sung by children of different age groups. The form and content of the songs vary accordingly. The younger children, less able to memorize and render songs musically, recite simple verses which tell the story of Lazarus and the festive message of his feastday in short, pithy phrases, such as those in this recording. The elder sing longer narrative verses which give a detailed account of the facts of the death of Lazarus, the miracle wrought by Jesus, that is, the raising of the dead man, and Lazarus’ reflections upon Hades (see also song Where are you, Lazarus?). Miranda Terzopoulou (1998)
Watch an other version of the carol.
Domna Samiou taped the carol in Aiani, Kozani, in 1996.
Choir
