Three monks from Crete

Τρεις Καλογέροι Κρητικοί (Τεριρέμ)

00:00

Lyrics

Three monks from Crete, three monks from Crete
And three from Mount Athos, te-teriri-riririrem1

they fitted out a sailing-ship, after the Lord’s Resurrection.
There blew a northerly ahead, a southerly astern.
– I do not fear you, Boreas, I care not how you blow,
you see, my yards are made of bronze , my masts are made of steel,
and I’ve a sailor lad with me who knows the weather lore.

Translated by John Leatham

1te-teriri-riririrem: a melodic prolongation of the voice (krátima) in Byzantine psalmody, the word terirem being repeated over and over again.

Original Lyrics

Τρεις Καλογέροι Κρητικοί (Τεριρέμ)

Τρεις καλογέροι Κρητικοί, τρεις καλογέροι Κρητικοί
και τρεις απ’ τ’ Άγιον Όρος, τε-τεριρι-ριριριρέμ1

καράβιν αρματώσανε με το Χριστός Ανέστη.
Φυσάει βοριάς από μπροστά, κακιά νοτιά από πίσω.
– Δε σε φοβούμαι κυρ βοριά φυσήξεις δε φυσήξεις,
έχω αντένες μπρούτζινες κι ατσάλινα κατάρτια
έχω κι ένα ναυτόπουλο που τους καιρούς γνωρίζει.

1τε-τεριρι-ριριριρέμ: μελωδική παράταση της φωνής στη βυζαντινή ψαλμωδία, με επανάληψη της λέξης «τεριρέμ», κράτημα

Region: Eastern Aegean
Area: Chios, Mesta
Category: Sea and Sailors Song
Rhythm: 4 beats
Duration: 04:36

Recording information

Studio recording, 2001.

Domna Samiou taped the song in Mesta, Chios, sung by Evangelia Sarantinoudi, in 1976.

Credits

Domna Samiou

Singers

Domna Samiou Greek Folk Music Association Choir

Choir

Socrates Sinopoulos

Constantinopolitan lyra

Vangelis Karipis

Bendir (frame drum)

Evangelia Sarantinoudi

Informant (source of the song)

Discography

Songs of Dame Sea

See also

  • 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 AegeanLesvos, SkoutaroChildren's Song, Swing Song

I Want to Climb up to the Top

  • Θέλω ν’ ανέβω στα ψηλά ⬥ I want to climb up to the top, my friend, up to the top of the roof of Saint George's, of Saint George's roof. I want to pick just two carnations, to sweep and make all clean, to sweep the she and make it [...]
  • SongEastern AegeanIkaria, FournoiInstrumental

Koursariko

  • Κουρσάρικος ⬥ A dance tune from Fournoi, Ikaria, in a 2/4 rhythm. Recorded in 2000.