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Αποφάσισα να γίνω
So, I decided I’d become a dome high on Agia Sophia, aman, my love, aman,
then Turkish girls and Greek ones, too, would come along to worship there.
My fair and fat Sultana, dear, you’ve gone and broken my poor heart,
You’ve robbed me of my senses and you’ve made me go quite off my head.
Translated by John Leatham
Αποφάσισα να γίνω στην Αγια-Σοφιά κουπές,1 αμάν, γιαρ,2 αμάν,
να ’ρχονται να προσκυνούνε Τουρκοπούλες και Ρωμιές, αμάν, γιαρ, αμάν.
Άσπρη μου παχιά Σουλτάνα, την καρδιά μου ράγισες,
και το νου μου τονε πήρες και τονε παλάβωσες.
1κουπές: τρούλος
2γιαρ: αγαπημένη (από το τουρκικό yâr)
A variation of the well-known song Like the Marbles of the City, which is in the collection of the Society. I learnt the song at least forty years ago when I was a pupil of the Society and a member of its choir.
Domna Samiou (1995)
Studio recording (1995). Based on Simon Karas’ recording which belongs to the Association for the Dissemination of Greek National Music.
Singers
Constantinopolitan lyra
Kanun
Tambouras
Bendir (frame drum)
