Songs




Aerudhin
Breeze

Ethela na ’mun aerudhin,
Na ’rkume banda singonda su,
Na men afiso me muyudhin,
Gori Hristinu, na su gondepsi mian foran.

Mide gunubin na su grusi,
Mide liobirin na su mblasi,
Na ’n omorfiteri j’ i blasi,
J’ esu yemadi bu haran.

Ethela na ’mun aerudhin,
Bandu na se vuro xobiso,
Mide brostathin na s’ afiso,
Gori Hristinu, na xomagrisis, ra goru.

Yadi bu din azulan spazo.
Inda na su do boyiriso?
Eyo, goru, san aghabiso,
En fiarkume ganenu.

Ethela na ’mun aerudhin,
Na dhogo mesa stin monin su,
Bo ’nna ’se delia manishi su,
Gori Hristinu, horis na barun mirothkian.

Je dode jin’ da galli dodes,
Na da rufiso na da fao.
J’ an nosun xero bu ’nna bao.
Fkenno bu mian haramathkian.

Oh how I’d like to be a cool breeze,
So I could always brush your soft skin.
I wouldn’t even let a housefly,
Oh my sweet Christine, unsettle you by coming near.

I’d never let mosquitoes bite you.
Nor would I let the hot sun smite you.
So that creation’s lovely for you,
And so your heart is full of cheer.

Oh how I’d like to be a cool breeze,
For ever chasing close behind you.
Not half an inch would come between us.
Oh my sweet Christine, you’d never get away at all.

My jealousy, it eats right through me.
You need to know what’s happened to me.
A man who falls in love like I do
Can never trust a living soul.

Oh how I’d like to be a cool breeze,
So I could drift beneath your blanket,
When you are lying all alone there,
Oh my sweet Christine, so that nobody gets to see.

And then what beauty I’d be on to.
I’d lap it up, I’d feast upon you.
And if they wake I’d know what to do.
I’d find the finest crack and flee.



Aghabisa din bu garkias
I loved her deeply from the heart

Aghabisa din bu garkias amma ’nj’ ehariga din.
Don enan hronon iha din, don allon ehasa din.
O! Din garkian mo ’shis gamenin je me diranis.
O! Libithu me j’ arkina bgion na me bonis.

Aghabisa din bu garkias j’ ebinna don gamon dis,
Je meran-nihtan eressa grifa bu do stenon dis.
O! El’ aghaba me j’ esuni, men me diranis.
O! J’ ela dhos’ mu enan filuin, aya na haris.

Aghabisa din bu garkias j’ iha do ya gamarin.
Ma jini beribezi me, bu na din dho guvarin.
O! Din garkian mo ’shis gamenin je me diranis.
O! Libithu me j’ arkina bgion na me bonis.

Aghabisa din bu garkias sto athhos dis zois mu,
Bu ’dun agoma soreftos o nus dis jefalis mu.
O! El’ aghaba me j’ esuni, men me diranis.
O! J’ ela dhos’ mu enan filuin, aya na haris.

I loved her deeply from the heart, but our love didn’t prosper.
She was my sweetheart for a year; sadly the next I lost her.
O! You have torn my heart to pieces; pain I cannot bear.
O! Have pity on me; start to show me that you care.

I loved her deeply from the heart; I took the grief she’s giving.
And day and night in secrecy, I’d pass by where she’s living.
O! Won’t you try and love me too? Please end my suffering.
O! Come closer to me; kiss me if you feel a thing.

I loved her deeply from the heart; it felt so good together.
But all she does is tease me now; may she be damned for ever.
O! You have torn my heart to pieces; pain I cannot bear.
O! Have pity on me; start to show me that you care.

I loved her deeply from the heart when I was fit and youthful;
When I had all my faculties and when my brain was useful.
O! Won’t you try and love me too? Please end my suffering.
O! Come closer to me; kiss me if you feel a thing.



Aya Marina
Saint Marina

Aya Marina je jira,
Bu bojimizis da mora,
Bojimis’ do morudhin mu,
Je do mitsigurudhin mu.

Ebar’ do bera yiris’ do,
Je bale strafu fer’ mu do.
Je bale strafu fer’ mu do,
Yad’ en moron je thelo do.

Ebar’ do bera don beron,
Ji bo ’shi gatharon neron,
Na blinni da ruhuthkia du,
Je da bugamisuthkia du.

Na gami nani-nani du,
J’ eshi dhulies i mana du.
J’ eshi dhulies i mana du,
Na gami nani-nani du.

O Saint Marina, lady who
Lulls into sleep the young, please do
Lull into sleep my baby too.
Please take my little one with you.

Take him afar, then take him wide,
And then return him by my side.
And then return him by my side,
For I so want my little child.

Take him so far away from here,
Up to the spring of water clear,
So he can give his clothes a clean,
And make his little shirts pristine.

Hush now to sleep, my little one,
Else mummy’s chores will not be done.
Else mummy’s chores will not be done,
Hush now to sleep, my little one.


Bondigos
Mouse

Mian foran j’ enan jeron,
Ishen enan bondigon.
J’ edroen psumin j’ afkon,
Mesa is do mairkon.
J’ edrataran du ghligon,
J’ en iben efkaristo.
Drava-drava do nurin du,
Efkigen do gotsirin du.

Once upon a time, they say,
Lived a mouse who had his day.
Bread and eggs he liked to munch,
In the kitchen for his lunch.
He was offered conserve too,
But he didn’t say thank you.
Pull and pull his tail they had to,
Till out popped his little poo-poo.



Chakara makara

 D’ aghabimena fenunde,
Chakara makara foskere*,
Bu din barpadishan dus.
Aide, bullin mu, j’ erkume.
J’ abu do susman don sherkon,
Chakara makara foskere,
J’ abu do liisman dus.
Aide, bullin mu, j’ erkume.

Je haide, bullin mu, j’ erkume,
J’ angalia-’ngalia peftumen.

Melahrinin aghabisa,
Chakara makara foskere,
Me thkio ghlija ’mmaduthkia.
Aide, bullin mu, j’ erkume.
Bo ’shi sto maulon elian,
Chakara makara foskere,
Je gochina shiluthkia.
Aide, bullin mu, j’ erkume.

Je haide...

J’ an arostiso j’ en ertis,
Chakara makara foskere,
Gori, bu banothkion mu.
Aide, bullin mu, j’ erkume.
Berki xevi do mniman su,
Chakara makara foskere,
Brihu bu do dhigon mu.
Aide, bullin mu, j’ erkume.

Je haide...

* Apparently a nonsense phrase – unless someone knows different!

Lovers can’t help but show their love,
Chakara makara foskere,
Even by how they’re walking.
I’ll be there soon, just wait and see.
Look at the way they swing their arms,
Chakara makara foskere,
Listen to how they’re talking.
I’ll be there soon, just wait and see.

I’ll be there soon, just wait and see,
And in my arms you’re going to be.

My only love has olive skin,
Chakara makara foskere,
Brown eyes that are the cutest.
I’ll be there soon, just wait and see.
She has a mole upon her chin,
Chakara makara foskere,
Red lips that are the sweetest.
I’ll be there soon, just wait and see.

I’ll be there soon...

If I fall ill and you don’t come,
Chakara makara foskere,
Just when I need you badly.
I’ll be there soon, just wait and see.
I’ll want to see you buried first,
Chakara makara foskere,
And then I’ll follow gladly.
I’ll be there soon, just wait and see.

I’ll be there soon...



Drandafillenion babloman
Rose petal blanket

Dranda-, gale, drandafillenion babloman.
Drandafillenion babloman brebi su na jimase.
Ya su, bullin mu, ya su.

Na su, gale, na su htibun i mirothkies.
Na su htibun i mirothkies j’ emenan n’ athhimase.
Ya su, bullin mu, ya su.

Aspron, gale, aspron drandafillon grado.
Aspron drandafillon grado je bao na do vapso.
Ya su, bullin mu, ya su.

J’ an do, gale, j’ an do bediho stin boyan.
J’ an do bediho stin boyan bolles garkies tha gapso.
Ya su, bullin mu, ya su.

Astron, gale, astron me d’ astron bolema.
Astron me d’ astron bolema j’ ilios me do fengarin.
Ya su, bullin mu, ya su.

J’ ospo ’n, gale, j’ ospo ’n d’ ammathkia m’ anihta.
J’ ospo ’n d’ ammathkia m’ anihta bgios allos tha se bari?
Ya su, bullin mu, ya su.

Within, my dear, within a rose petal blanket.
Within a rose petal blanket is the way you should slumber.
Your health, my lovely, your health.

So that, my dear, so that sweet smells do you surround.
So that sweet smells do you surround and me you do remember.
Your health, my lovely, your health.

A white, my dear, a white rose have I in my hand.
A white rose have I in my hand, to colour it is my aim.
Your health, my lovely, your health.

And if, my dear, and if I paint it rather well.
And if I paint it rather well I will cause many hearts pain.
Your health, my lovely, your health.

A star, my dear, a star fights with another star.
A star fights with another star, the sun fights with the moon too.
Your health, my lovely, your health.

So long, my dear, so long as my two eyes can see.
So long as my two eyes can see who else is going to wed you?
Your health, my lovely, your health.


Foni Dillirkodissa
Voice of Tilliria

Esh’ e-vereve*-nan a-varava-stron j’ e-vereve-n mitsin,
Mes’ stus vuruvus efta varava blani-virivi-des.
Ma-vara-vromma-vara-da mu.

Ebgia-varava-san me vereve mes di-virivi-n garkian
Da lo-vorovo-ya bu vuruvu mu i-virivi-bes.
Ya-vara-lluru-vuru-dha mu.

Ebi-virivi-an j’ i-virivi-ban dis virivis bellis
Bos e-vereve-nna ba-varava-o be-vereve-ra.
Ma-vara-vromma-vara-da mu.

J’ ema-varava-epse-vereve-n din tha-varava-lassan,
J’ esi-virivi-gose-vereve-n aye-vereve-ran.
Ya-vara-lluru-vuru-dha mu.

J’ anda-varava-n dis i-virivi-bun e-vereve-she ’yan,
Este-vereve-gedu-vuruvu-n j’ eho-vorovo-ren.
Ma-vara-vromma-vara-da mu.

Bende vereve mandi-virivi-lia ’mu-vuruvu-shhepsen,
Je di-virivi-n saya-varava-n bo ’fo-vorovo-ren.
Ya-vara-lluru-vuru-dha mu.

Ana-varava-thhema-varava-n don bu vuruvu lali
Bos e-vereve-n ghliji-virivi-n do me-vereve-lin.
Ma-vara-vromma-vara-da mu.

Ghligo-vorovo-tero-vorovo-n en do vorovo filin
Dis go-vorovo-rasha-varava-s bu the-vereve-li.
Ya-vara-lluru-vuru-dha mu.

* Vereve, varava etc are nonsense syllables inserted to disguise speech, eg from the authorities – a common practice during the Ottoman years

There i-virivi-s a sta-varava-r that i-virivi-s so small,
Am-avarav-ong the pla-varava-nets se-vereve-ven.
My li-viri-ttle br-avar-own-eyed girl.

They go-vorovo-t down d-ivirivi-eep into vuruvu my heart
Those w-everev-ords that you vuruvu have spo-vorovo-ken.
My li-viri-ttle blue-vuru-eyed girl.

The cr-everev-azy w-uvuruv-oman go-vorovo-t to hear
That s-uvuruv-oon I’d be virivi depa-varava-rting.
My li-viri-ttle br-avar-own-eyed girl.

She ca-varava-st a spe-vereve-ll upo-vorovo-n the sea,
And the vereve wind sta-varava-rted bl-ovorov-owing.
My li-viri-ttle blue-vuru-eyed girl.

And a-varava-s I bi-virivi-d her f-everev-are thee well,
She stoo-vuruvu-d there bla-varava-nkly st-everev-aring.
My li-viri-ttle br-avar-own-eyed girl.

She s-ovorov-oaked five ha-varava-ndkerch-iviriv-iefs in tears,
And the vereve dress she virivi was w-everev-earing.
My li-viri-ttle blue-vuru-eyed girl.

To he-vereve-ll with hi-virivi-m who d-everv-ares to say
That h-avarav-oney i-virivi-s a sw-iviriv-eet thing.
My li-viri-ttle br-avar-own-eyed girl.

Much sw-iviriv-eeter i-virivi-s a te-vereve-nder kiss
From a vereve young g-everev-irl who’s wi-virivi-lling.
My li-viri-ttle blue-vuru-eyed girl.



Garterumen meran nihtan
Day and night we keep on waiting

Garterumen meran nihtan
Na fisisi enas aeras
Stundon dobon bo ’n gamenos
J’ en thori bote dhroshan.

Ya na fexi garterumen
Do fos jinis dis meras,
Bo ’nna feri ston gathenan
Je haran je bospashan.

Day and night we keep on waiting
For a breeze to blow our way
In this land so hot and barren
That refreshment never sees.

For the dawn we keep on waiting
To break on that fateful day
That will bring to everybody
Both rejoicing and release.



Iba su htenistu llion
I said comb yourself a little

Iba su htenistu llion,
J’ en fefkis bu do yallin.
M’ aghabo se obos ise,
J’ astiefko se, belli.

Ba’ sta mavra su d’ ammathkia,
Men din vallis din hollan.
Yadi ehusin dhigin dus,
Je i xeni en golla.

Men da gofkis da mallia su.
Afis’ da na gremmastun.
J’ enna se garchelediso
Me din manan du Hristu.

Iba su na men bistefkis.
Men aguis ganenu.
J’ eho se zoghrafismenin
Stin garkian mu je ston nun.

I said comb yourself a little.
Now with mirrors you’re obsessed.
As you are is how I love you.
Silly girl, you know I jest.

Round your eyes so dark and lovely,
Eyeliner just doesn’t go.
They have all the richness needed.
Extra make-up hides their glow.

Don’t you dare cut off your long hair.
Let it hang down to your waist.
I want you to be the image
Of the mother of the Christ.

I said don’t believe the others.
Leave their gossiping behind.
Girl, your beauty is engraven
In my heart and in my mind.



Imun bullin bedamenon
I was a bird upon a wing

Imun bullin bedamenon j’ egopses da ftera mu,
Bu ’bistepses da psemada j’ efies bu gonda mu.

B’ angristis dhihos aformin, be mu do ftesimon mu.
En don andeho don gamon, hanno do loyigon mu.

Stin thalassan du Brodara haraman na vrethumen.
Fie grifa dis manas su j’ ela na ’xiyithumen.

Boses fores na su do bo je na su exiyiso?
Dhihos su en adhinadon, aghabi mu, na ziso.

I was a bird upon a wing until my feathers you clipped,
When you believed those wicked lies and from beside me you slipped.

You were upset without a cause, please tell me what I did wrong.
I can’t endure the pain of it, I’m going to lose my reason.

Down at the sea of Protaras as dawn breaks we must meet there.
Leave so your mother doesn’t know and come let’s talk it over.

How many times must I tell you so that you’re comprehending?
Without your love I can’t go on, my life you would be ending.



Lulla mu, Marulla mu
Lulla dear, Marulla dear

Epses i nihta ’shionizen, Lulla mu, Marulla mu,
Je da bullia ’markosan.
J’ eyoni mes’ st’ angalia su, Lulla mu, Marulla mu,
Griodin en enosa.

Epses i nihta mia idun, Lulla mu, Marulla mu,
Je bopse thkio ’yenigan.
J’ en i gami su, muzuru, Lulla mu, Marulla mu,
J’ exifanerothigan.

Nosta b’ aghabithigamen, Lulla mu, Marulla mu,
Epefta j’ en egammun.
J’ elalun, Banaia mu! Lulla mu, Marulla mu,
I alli bos vastahnun?

Is don yiron dis thalassas, Lulla mu, Marulla mu,
Na ba’ na orkistumen.
J’ ospo ’sh’ i thalassa neron, Lulla mu, Marulla mu,
Na men bohoristumen.

Last night was such an icy night, Lulla dear, Marulla dear,
And all around birds did freeze.
But lying in your tender arms, Lulla dear, Marulla dear,
I bore the cold with great ease.

Last night was but a single night, Lulla dear, Marulla dear,
Tonight is now a second.
And with your sorrows, dark-skinned girl, Lulla dear, Marulla dear,
I’ve now become accustomed.

When we first fell so deep in love, Lulla dear, Marulla dear,
I’d lie awake, oh so late.
And I would cry, Holy Virgin! Lulla dear, Marulla dear,
Can others cope in this state?

Down by the shoreline of the sea, Lulla dear, Marulla dear,
Let’s swear an oath together.
While water is still in the sea, Lulla dear, Marulla dear,
Bonded we’ll be for ever.



Mavra ammathkia
Brown eyes

Ela, goru, na dhumen da mavra su d’ ammathkia,
Bu fkallun jin’ des ghlosses bu gamni do lambron.
J’ an gamnun din garkian mu din aharin gommathkia,
Na men blissis, haro se, haro se, j’ afis’ da na din dron.

M’ an dishi j’ enna gruso je na yino bozavlin,
Mbixe me stin avlin su, var’ me se mian merkan.
Yadi bu din thorkan su bu mian ’meran os allin,
Mbori je na vlastiso, haro se, na ’vro bariorkan.

J’ ondas galorizoso je fko psila j’ athhiso,
Je bodavriso glonus, na ’rtis bu gadothkion.
Da galli dus athhus mu ya na su da randiso,
Ya jines des ghligaes, haro se, don thkio su ammathkion.

Hey girl, come close and show us those brown eyes full of wonder,
Those eyes that burn as brightly as flames thrown by a fire.
And if they seize my poor heart and tear it all asunder,
Let them consume its pieces, my lovely, ’cos that’s what I desire.

If in your glow I burn up and I become an ember,
Bury me in your garden, just lay me somewhere near.
Perhaps from your sweet glances, from one day to another,
After a while I’ll spring up, my lovely, so I can find some cheer.

And as my roots go deep, I’ll grow taller and I’ll flower.
Then as I stretch my branches, you’ll come on down below.
I’ll sprinkle you with petals, just like a cooling shower,
All for that burning wonder, my lovely, of your two eyes aglow.



Mia Lemeshani
Limassolian girl

Mia Lemeshani, mia Lemeshani, mia Lemeshani,
Banaya du Jiku mu.
Mia Lemeshani, mia Lemeshani, mia Lemeshani,
Vasilija psindri.

Enje thelo ’yo balathkia, me rialia medrida.
Na men mu ’gamnen yinathkia, maniha na m’ aghaba.

Mia Lemeshani, mia Lemeshani, mia Lemeshani,
Abostole Andrea mu.
Mia Lemeshani, mia Lemeshani, mia Lemeshani,
Anjelogamodi.

Enje thelo ’yo balathkia...

Limassolian girl, Limassolian girl, Limassolian girl,
Holy Virgin of Jikos.
Limassolian girl, Limassolian girl, Limassolian girl,
Slender basil in a pot.

I’m not looking for a castle, I’m not interested in wealth.
She should spare me any hassle, and just love me for myself.

Limassolian girl, Limassolian girl, Limassolian girl,
Saint Andrew the Apostle.
Limassolian girl, Limassolian girl, Limassolian girl,
She’s an angel-fashioned doll.

I’m not looking for a castle...



Psindri vasilija
Slender basil

Psindri vasilija mu je mandzurana mu,
Esu ’nna me horisis abu din manan mu.

Psindri vasilija mu je garkiofillin mu,
Fer’ mu do maulon su gonda sta shili mu.

Ela sto banathirin, gori, do yallenon,
Na dho do brosobon su do simidhallenon.

Ela sto banathirin, grifa dis manas su,
Je game bos bodizis din mandzuranan su.

Foris babucha mavra, gori, je drizusin,
J’ emenan din garkian mu din eraizusin.

Eshis elian sta shili j’ eyo sto maulon.
Ela na se filiso, bullin bedamenon.

Ela na se filiso je ghliora na bas,
Na men se dhi ganenas je bi bos m ’ aghabas.

Ela na se filiso je fila me j’ esi,
Je an do moloiso, moloa do j’ esi.

Ela na se filiso, melahrinulla mu,
Na svisis da lambra mu bo ’sh’ i gartulla mu.

Psindri vasilija mu je aerusa mu,
Stin dhiblin don vizhon su na ’dan i susa mu.

My sweet and slender basil, my marjoram so fair,
You are the one who’ll tempt me to leave my mother’s care.

My sweet and slender basil, carnation so devine,
Bring up that tender chin of yours close to these lips of mine.

Come closer to the window, up to the sill get near,
So I can see your pretty face with skin so smooth and clear.

Come closer to the window, avoid your mother’s eye.
Attending to your marjoram can be your alibi.

Black shoes you keep on wearing, oh what a noise they make.
And every time I hear them squeak, they cause my heart to break.

You have a mole on your lips, I have one on my chin.
Come here and let me kiss you, my bird upon a wing.

Come here and let me kiss you and then be on your way.
For no one else must see you and give our love away.

Come here and let me kiss you and kiss me in return.
And if I must confess it, then so must you in turn.

Come here and let me kiss you, my girl of olive skin,
So you can put the fire out that burns me deep within.

My sweet and slender basil, oh breeze that cools the day,
Beside your tender bosom is where I wish to lay.



Rialia
Money

O! An ise j’ an dhen ise du dhimarhu bedhin.
O! Eyo ’nna se filiso j’ as gamo filajin.

Da rialia, rialia, rialia.
Da selinia mona je dhibla.
Da monolira, bendolira je bunda?
O pezevengis bu da ’shi stin bungan.

O! Esu ’se o gathreftis, do gatharon yallin.
O! Bu fenji stin Evrobin je stin Anadolin.

Da rialia...

O! Inda drauin na su bo, mana mu, na s’ aresi?
O! Bo ’shis anjeligon gormin je dhahtiliin mesin.

Da rialia...

O! Stin skalan bu xevennis na ’xevenna j’ eyo.
O! J’ is gathe skalobadin na se ghligofilo.

Da rialia...

O! The mayor could be your father, that’s no concern of mine.
O! I’m going to steal a kiss from you and gladly do the time.

Where’s the money, the money, the money?
All the brass and the silver, who’s got it?
All the fivers and tenners, it’s funny.
There’s a shyster who’s lining his pocket.

O! You gleam just like a mirror, a glass so pure and fine.
O! In Europe and the Orient, they see your beauty shine.

Where’s the money...

O! Tell me what song to sing you, my love, that’s to your taste.
O! As I admire your angel form, with such a slender waist.

Where’s the money...

O! Upstairs as you are climbing, let me be climbing too.
O! And with each step we take, my love, I’ll plant a kiss on you.

Where’s the money...



Skuluguin
Little worm

Evrexen mes’ stin avlin mu,
J’ ebeza me da bila,
J’ idha mesa bu do homan
Thkio ’mmaduthkia yelasta.

Idan enan skuluguin,
J’ idan obos din glostin.
Ivren mian michan dribuan,
J’ ebrospathan na hosti.

Skuluguin, skuluguin,
Bu bais horis vraguin?
Emba mesa stin fulian su,
Men bonisis da lema su.

Ebgiasa do bu don nuron
Do filuin do mitsin.
Ebexa llion mida du,
J’ eglisa do sto botsin.

J’ irten esso i arfi mu,
J’ embixen des baurkes.
Iben do je du jiru mu,
J’ edhogen mu batsarkes.

Skuluguin, skuluguin,
Enna sghapso enan lukuin,
Mes’ stin landan na se hoso,
Don belan ya na ghlidoso.

It had rained upon my garden,
So I played a muddy game,
When I saw two eyes smile at me,
From inside the earth they came.

It was just a worm so little,
It looked like a piece of string.
It had found a hole so tiny,
And it tried to riggle in.

Worm so little, worm so little,
Without pants where do you riggle?
Get off home and shut your front door,
Otherwise you’ll get your throat sore.

So I picked it up by its tail,
Piece of string so small and thin.
I played with it for a short while,
Found a jar and shut it in.

Then my sister, she got back home,
And started to scream and shout.
She went off and told my old man,
And he gave me a good clout.

Worm so little, worm so little,
I am going to dig a small hole.
In a puddle is where you’ll lay,
So no trouble comes back my way.



Stile me sto neron
Send me for water

Stile me, mana, sto neron,
Na su do fero dhroseron.
Na su do fero dhroseron,
Stile me, mana, sto neron.

Ela, mavruka, sto neron,
J’ eyo stin vrisin gartero.
Ya na mu dhogis do filin,
Ya dhe su spazo do stamnin.

J’ an se rodis’ i mana su,
Gori mu, bu ’n i stamna su?
Bes dis bos ’barabadises,
Din stamnan su bos ’tsakises.

Stile me, mana, sto neron,
Na su do fero dhroseron.
J’ an dhen do fero dhroseron,
Din niodin mu na men haro.

Stile me, mana, sto neron,
Na su do fero gatharon.
Stile me, mana, stile me,
J’ an dhen sto fero dhire me.

Na bas, gorulla mu hrisi.
Na bas, gorulla mu hrisi.
Na bas, gorulla mu hrisi.
Ma nakon brosehe j’ esi.

Stin vrisin evrethigamen,
J’ esfihtangaliastigamen.
Mazin en b’ orkistigamen,
J’ ebrodofilithigamen.

Mana mu, ’barabadisa.
Mana mu, ’barabadisa.
Mana mu, ’barabadisa.
Je do stamnin mu ’tsakisa.

Dhen ine barabadiman.
Dhen ine barabadiman.
Dhen ine barabadiman.
Bara ’ne niu angaliasman.

Send me for water, mother, do.
I’ll bring it back so cool for you.
I’ll bring it back so cool for you.
Send me for water, mother, do.

Come for some water, dark girl, too,
And by the spring I’ll wait for you.
Either I steal a kiss and hug,
Or else I’ll break your water jug.

And if your mother asks to know,
Your jug, my girl, where did it go?
Just say you tripped on your way back,
And that’s what caused your jug to crack.

Send me for water, mother, do.
I’ll bring it back so cool for you.
If I don’t bring it cool for you,
A joyless youth I’ll have to rue.

Send me for water, mother, do.
I’ll bring it back so clear for you.
Please send me, mother, send me do.
If I don’t bring it hit me too.

You go, my precious daughter fair.
You go, my precious daughter fair.
You go, my precious daughter fair.
But please just take a little care.

The spring’s where we came face to face,
And there so tight we did embrace.
To become one we made a wish,
And we shared our first ever kiss.

Mother, I tripped on my way back.
Mother, I tripped on my way back.
Mother, I tripped on my way back.
And that’s what caused my jug to crack.

There was no trip, I know too well.
There was no trip, I know too well.
There was no trip, I know too well.
It’s in a young man’s arms you fell.



Sto bano do horkon
At yonder village

Sto bano, mana, do horkon,
Stin eglishan bgio bera,
Eraisen mu din garkian
Mias shiras thighadera.

Na bas, manulla, na din vris,
Stin yidonian din bano.
Je na dis bis an m’ arnisti,
Tha yiro na bethano.

Tha din ghnorisis, mana mu,
Mes’ sta goricha d’ alla,
Abo da frithkia da bigna,
D’ ammathkia da meghala.

Is do dhexin dis maulon,
Bu rodhogochinizi,
Eshi gadamavrin elian,
Bu des garkies raizi.

At yonder village, mother dear,
Up by the church just past there,
My poor heart has been broken by
A widow’s lovely daughter.

Please, mother, go and seek her out,
Look in the upper district.
And tell her if she turns me down,
This life I’ll want to exit.

You’ll recognise her, mother dear,
Among all the young women,
From eyebrows that are thickly set,
Eyes large enough to swim in.

And there to see on her right cheek,
That glows a rosy crimson,
She has a mole as black as night,
That breaks your heart and then some.



Stolisman dis niffis
Adorning the bride

Aya stoliste din gala din bendablumismenin,
J’ abu din esh’ i mana dis mes’ sta hrisa hosmenin.

Simmera lamb’ o uranos, simmera lamb’ i ’mera,
Simmera stefanonnede ados din beristeran.

Simmera mavros uranos, simmera mavri ’mera,
Simmera bohorizede bedhin bu din mideran.

Aya stoliste din gala, san brebi, san derkazi,
Na men eshi dhamesa dha allin na dis imiazi.

I mana bu s’ eyennisen, hrisi ’dan i garkia dis,
J’ egamen gorin omorfin je lamb’ i yidonia dis.

Mas bernusin din bertigan din bendablumismenin,
J’ afinnun mas din yidonian san horan gursemenin.

Fonaxede dis manas dis na ’rti na din izosi,
Je na dis dhosi din efchin je na din baradhosi.

E din dhame je dhede din, j’ an esh’ aibin bede.
En san don ilion don hrison din oran bu yenniede.

Eshede yan spidaja mu je glini bu ’jimumun,
J’ avli mu bu s’ esariza je mesa ’thkiajinumun.

Mana mu je badera mu, bosheredo sas, ya sas.
Halalin na mu gamede do vizanayoman sas.

Come now you must adorn her well, this many-splendoured maiden.
Her mother’s lavished her with gold, from head to toe she’s laden.

Today the sky is bright above, a day as bright as ever.
Today an eagle and a dove will wear a crown together.

Today the sky is black above, a black day like no other.
Today the moment has arrived, a child must leave her mother.

Come now you must adorn her well, as is your proper duty.
There must not be another near who can compare in beauty.

The mother who gave birth to you, in her a heart of gold ticked.
She bore a girl of beauty rare who brightened up the district.

They’ve come to take our dove away, this many-splendoured maiden.
Our neighbourhood is being left in ruins and forsaken.

Now call her mother to come here, a band round her waist to tie,
To give a mother’s blessing now and bid her daughter goodbye.

Look, here she is, all marvel her; if there’s a flaw then do say.
She’s like the golden sun at dawn that welcomes in a new day.

Goodbye to you, my childhood home, the bed I used to lay in,
The yard I used to sweep and clean, and where I whiled the day in.

Goodbye and may you have good health, dear mother and dear father.
The nurturing you gave to me, I will make sure to honour.



Tsimbi-tsimbi
Pecky-pecky

Tsimbi-tsimbi don adon,
Sirno do je barpado.
Stin merkan dis alijis,
Ivra mian bolidijin.
J’ emairefken fajin,
J’ iben, ela fa’ j’ esi.
En thelo, bolidiji.
Fa’ du gatu do nurin,
Je du bondigu do ftin.

Pecky-pecky eagle-like,
I take off upon a hike.
At the salt lake by the shore,
There a city girl I saw.
She was cooking lentil stew,
And she bade me eat some too.
City girl, I don’t want that.
Go and eat some tail of cat,
Followed by some ear of rat.



Ulla halalin du
He can have it all

Jin’ don mitsin don drimmadon, da melishha d’ ammathkia.
Mes’ sto hakin straftogobun, axizusin balathkia.

Ya din garkian je din angalin du.
Ma don Theon, ulla halalin du.

Da melishha d’ ammathkia su dis melissas imiazun.
Ondas su gruzusin din mian, din allin melin stassun.

Ya din garkian...

Jibro mu, ya ’nan yelion su, dhio su don athrobon mu.
Monon mida su enna dhehto na mirasto do fos mu.

Ya din garkian...

See that young man stare with intent, wide eyes as sweet as honey.
Sparkling against his uniform, worth every sum of money.

Oh for his heart and in his arms to fall.
Heavens above, yes he can have it all.

Your watchful eyes are like honey bees, hovering when it’s sunny.
They can wound deeply with their sting, or they can ooze with honey.

Oh for his heart...

Just for your smile, my Cyprian, I’d give my very being.
I would share half my sight with you, if you had need of seeing.

Oh for his heart...



Vraga
Breeches

O! Saranda bihes dhimidon, saranda bihes dhimidon,
Ega-, ega-, egamasin mian vragan.
O! J’ irten o gavallos magris, j’ irten o gavallos magris,
J’ esa-, j’ esa-, j’ esarizen din stradan.

Din yerimin din vragan bu gamni driki-draka.
Din vragan su stin limnin, bgios enna su din blinni?
Je bgios na din ablosi ston ilion na stehnosi?
Je bgia en jini axia bo ’nna din sierosi?
Din vragan su din dosin, je bgia ’nna din dhiblosi?

O! J’ imun dhegadrion hronon, j’ imun dhegadrion hronon,
J’ efo-, j’ efo-, j’ eforun din vragun mu.
O! J’ eyiriza mes’ sto horkon, j’ eyiriza mes’ sto horkon,
Grifa, grifa, grifa dus horkanus mu.

Din yerimin din vragan...

O! Bara na baris athrobon, bara na baris athrobon,
Je na ’n, je na ’n, je na ’n je me din vragan.
O! Gallitera bandelonan, gallitera bandelonan,
J’ as en, j’ as en, j’ as en me din gommadan.

Din yerimin din vragan...

O! Bara na baris athrobon, bara na baris athrobon,
Je na ’n, je na ’n, je na ’n me bandelonia.
O! Gallitera enan vragan, gallitera enan vragan,
Je as, je as, je as buli velonia.

Din yerimin din vragan...

O! It took them forty yards of cloth, it took them forty yards of cloth,
To make, to make, to make a pair of breeches.
O! The crotch it dangled down too long, the crotch it dangled down too long,
And swept, and swept, and swept the lower reaches.

The poor old pair of breeches, which sweep the lower reaches.
So who is going to take them down to the lake to wash them?
And who is going to lay them out in the sun to dry them?
And where’s that able woman to iron out the creases?
And who will fold them for you, your long and dangly breeches?

O! When I was thirteen years of age, when I was thirteen years of age,
My breech-, my breech-, my breeches I’d be wearing.
O! In secret I would wander round, in secret I would wander round,
To hide, to hide, to hide from neighbours staring.

The poor old pair of breeches...

O! Please don’t go falling for a man, please don’t go falling for a man
Who goes, who goes, who goes around in breeches.
O! Prefer to wed a trousers man, prefer to wed a trousers man,
Though his, though his, though his may be in pieces.

The poor old pair of breeches...

O! Please don’t go falling for a man, please don’t go falling for a man
Who is, who is, who is a trouser-fella.
O! Prefer to wed a breeches man, prefer to wed a breeches man,
Though he, though he, though he’s a needle-seller.

The poor old pair of breeches...


Yasumin
Jasmine

Do yasumin stin bortan su. Yasumin mu.
O! J’ irta na do gladhepso. O! Yavrin mu.
J’ enomisen i mana su. Yasumin mu.
O! Bos irta ne se glepso. O! Yavrin mu.

Do yasumin stin bortan su. Yasumin mu.
O! Muskoloun i strades. O! Yavrin mu.
J’ i mirothkia du i bolli. Yasumin mu.
O! Laonni dus thkiavades. O! Yavrin mu.

Do yasumin stin bortan su. Yasumin mu.
O! Athki je fkalli glonus. O! Yavrin mu.
Muskolousin da stena. Yasumin mu.
O! Dus xenus je yidonus. O! Yavrin mu.

Do yasumin stin bortan su. Yasumin mu.
O! B’ athki do galojerin. O! Yavrin mu.
Muskoloa je sherunde. Yasumin mu.
O! Bethki je nii je yeri. O! Yavrin mu.

Do yasumin stin bortan su. Yasumin mu.
O! J’ allu fakun i gloni. O! Yavrin mu.
J’ emathan do bos s’ aghabo. Yasumin mu.
O! J’ espasan i yidoni. O! Yavrin mu.

The jasmine growing by your door. My sweet jasmine.
O! To tend it’s all I’m after. O! My sweet thing.
I don’t know why your mother thought. My sweet jasmine.
O! I came to steal her daughter. O! My sweet thing.

The jasmine growing by your door. My sweet jasmine.
O! Its fragrance is amazing. O! My sweet thing.
The strong aroma in the street. My sweet jasmine.
O! Makes passers-by go crazy. O! My sweet thing.

The jasmine growing by your door. My sweet jasmine.
O! With flowering stems it ranges. O! My sweet thing.
There’s perfume in the alleyways. My sweet jasmine.
O! For neighbours and for strangers. O! My sweet thing.

The jasmine growing by your door. My sweet jasmine.
O! It blooms in summer weather. O! My sweet thing.
The scent fills everyone with joy. My sweet jasmine.
O! The young and old together. O! My sweet thing.

The jasmine growing by your door. My sweet jasmine.
O! Elsewhere the stems are knocking. O! My sweet thing.
The neighbours learnt that I love you. My sweet jasmine.
O! And found it truly shocking. O! My sweet thing.


 

© Cypriot Academy