My Curly Basil

Σγουρέ βασιλικέ μου

00:00

Lyrics

My curly basil, when did you grow so
and spread your branches, little one,
and steal my wits away?

Oh curly basil, dear little marjoram
‘tis you will part me from my mother.

Basil I will be, in your pot I shall grow
tended by your two hands.

Translated by Michael Eleftheriou

Original Lyrics

Σγουρέ βασιλικέ μου

Σγουρέ βασιλικέ μου, πότε μεγάλωσες
κι έριξες τα κλωνιά σου, το πουλάκι μου,
και με παλάβωσες.

Σγουρέ βασιλικέ μου, ματζουρανούλα μου
συ θα μ’ αποχωρίσεις απ’ τη μανούλα μου.

Βασιλικός θα γίνω, στη γλάστρα σου να μπω
να με κορφολογάνε τα χέρια σου τα δυο.

Region: Asia Minor
Category: Love Song
Rhythm: 4 beats
Duration: 04:03

Recording information

Studio recording, 2005.

Based on Simon Karas' recording which belongs to the Association for the Dissemination of Greek National Music.

Watch a different version of the song by Domna Samiou

Credits

Domna Samiou

Singers

Socrates Sinopoulos

Constantinopolitan lyra

Evgenios Voulgaris

Bowed tambouras

Socrates Sinopoulos

Constantinopolitan lute

Kostas Papaprokopiou

Lute

Vangelis Karipis

Bendir (frame drum)

Discography

Of Nature and of Love

See also

  • The "Musical Travelogue"

Musical Travelogue with Domna Samiou – Asia Minor

  • An episode dedicated to the musical tradition of the Greeks from the coastal area of western Asia Minor, Smyrna and the Erithrean peninsula. The documentary includes historical recordings from the Centre for Asia Minor Studies as well as testimonies and songs by refugees now living in Thessaloniki, Athens, and Piraeus. [...]
  • Concert
  • 08 & 09/03/2005

Songs of Asia Minor with Domna Samiou

An Asia Minor tribute concert. A tribute to the muse of the historical space of the Greek East. Traditional songs from the western coast of Asia Minor, the Propontis, Constantinople, Pontus and Cappadocia and two Byzantine hymns from the musical tradition of the Orthodox Church. A musical variety that is […]
  • AlbumDigital release, LP1991Domna Samiou Greek Folk Music Association

Songs of Asia Minor 2

On this LP, Domna Samiou presents songs and dances she recorded among refugees of Asia Minor: heartfelt interpretations dedicated to Baindiri, Domna’s hometown in Asia Minor. This LP complements ‘Songs of Asia Minor N° 1’ published in 1984.
  • AlbumCD, Digital release1992Domna Samiou Greek Folk Music Association

Songs οf Asia Minor

On this CD, Domna Samiou presents songs and dances she recorded among refugees of Asia Minor: heartfelt interpretations dedicated to Baindiri, Domna’s hometown in Asia Minor. The CD includes songs from two previous LPs, 'Songs of Asia Minor 1 and 2'. (barcode: 5204910000128)  
  • AlbumDigital release2022Domna Samiou Greek Folk Music Association

My Old Torments

Songs of Asia Minor by Domna Samiou. Live recording from the concert ‘Songs of Asia Minor with Domna Samiou’ at the Megaron, the Athens Concert Hall, on 8/3/2005. Traditional songs from the western coasts of Asia Minor, Propontis, Constantinople, Pontus and Cappadocia.