AMORES GRIEGOS [10]: GIORGOS DALARAS

De regreso al Círculo Polar Ártico donde todos se cuadran, y con la luz y el aroma cretense de AROLITHOS en la memoria, pongo aquí -de puro nostalgioso- dos maravillosas canciones del repertorio helénico, en la voz tremenda e inconfundible del más célebre cantautor griego de la hora presente: GIORGOS DALARAS.

STO 'PA KAI STO KSANALEO [transcripción]

Sto ‘pa kai sto ksanaleo
sto gialo min kateveis
ki o gialos kanei fourtouna
kai se parei kai diaveis

Ki an me parei pou me paei
kato sta vathia nera
kano to kormi mou varka
ta herakia mou koupia
to mantili mou panaki
bainovgaino sti steria

Sto ‘pa kai sto ksanaleo
mi mou grafeis grammata
giati grammata den ksero
kai me pianoun klamata

Στο πα και στο ξαναλεω

Στο ‘πα και στο ξαναλέω
στο γιαλό μην κατεβείς
κι ο γιαλός κάνει φουρτούνα
και σε πάρει και διαβείς

Κι αν με πάρει που με πάει
κάτω στα βαθιά νερά
κάνω το κορμί μου βάρκα
τα χεράκια μου κουπιά
το μαντήλι μου πανάκι
μπαινοβγαίνω στη στεριά

Στο ‘πα και στο ξαναλέω
μη μου γράφεις γράμματα
γιατί γράμματα δεν ξέρω
και με πιάνουν κλάματα

Giorgos Dalaras sings Sto pa kai sto ksanaleo, a traditional Greek song which means I told you this and I am telling you again. Sto pa kai sto ksanaleo has been described by many as a love song, although the truth is that it probably reflects the feelings and reality of the people involved in exile, people who left to immigrate to another country in order to seek for a better future and life. Ships were leaving the country, bringing people to foreign lands, people who were leaving their houses in order to find a better life somewhere else.

These people were sending back letters and money, telling their stories at these new places. They were sending letters to their mothers and fathers, usually consoling and comforting them, sometimes telling them things that were far from real.

The folk song Sto pa kai sto ksanaleo uses common themes in the whole picture of immigration and exile, in a very tender and emotional way. The handkerchief that becomes a sail, is a common reference in Greek songs and art, reflecting a wish for a good and safe journey.

The song Sto pa kai sto ksanaleo is a folk song from Minor Asia and  has been sung by many singers throughout the years, including Mariza Koch, Glikeria and more.

Greek Music & Greek Songs. All Rights Reserved

MI MOU THIMONEIS [transcripción]

Mi mou thimoneis matia mou
pou fevgo gia ta ksena
pouli tha gino kai tha rtho
pali konta se sena

Anoiks' to parathiri sou
ksanthe vasilike mou
kai me gliko hamogelo
mia kalinihta pes mou

Mi mou thimoneis matia mou
tora pou tha s' afiso
ki ela gia ligo na se do
na s' apohairetiso

Anoiks' to parathiri sou
ksanthe vasilike mou
kai me gliko hamogelo
mia kalinihta pes mou

Μη μου θυμώνεις μάτια μου
που φεύγω για τα ξένα
πουλί θα γίνω και θα ρθω
πάλι κοντά σε σένα

Άνοιξ' το παραθύρι σου
ξανθέ βασιλικέ μου
και με γλυκό χαμόγελο
μια καληνύχτα πες μου

Μη μου θυμώνεις μάτια μου
 τώρα που θα σ' αφήσω
κι έλα για λίγο να σε δω
να σ' αποχαιρετήσω

Άνοιξ' το παραθύρι σου
ξανθέ βασιλικέ μου
και με γλυκό χαμόγελο
μια καληνύχτα πες μου

Do not be angry at me, my dearest ,
now that I am leaving for foreign lands,
I will turn into a bird and I will come
back again, to you.

Open your window,
my golden basil,
and with a sweet smile, wish me a good night.

Do not be angry at me, my dearest,
now that I am going away from you,
and come here awhile, let me see you,
let me say goodbye.

Open your window,
my golden basil,
and with a sweet smile, wish me a good night. 

Greek Music and Greek Songs. All Rights Reserved