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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,*
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”.
“Lazarina, poultry maid, put an egg into the basket”.
Many happy returns!
Translated by John Leatham
*City: 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, κουκουτίνα,2
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. Younger children, who have less ability to memorize and perform songs musically, recite simple verses that tell the story of Lazarus and convey the festive message of his feast day in short, pithy phrases — such as those found in this recording. Older children sing longer narrative verses that provide a detailed account of Lazarus’s death, the miracle performed by Jesus —the raising of the dead man— and Lazarus’s reflections upon Hades (see also Where are you, Lazarus?).
Miranda Terzopoulou (1998)
Based on Domna Samiou’s 1996 field recording of the carol in Aiani, Kozani.
Watch another version of the carol
Choir
