Γέρασα, μωρέ παιδιά

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– I have grown old, goddammit, friends, I have grown old and cannot now,
I have grown old and cannot now sing the songs I used to sing.
I see young men and am green-eyed, an old man full of grievances.
I’d rather suffer forty cuts than see young girls in Carnival.

– Oh, shut up, uncle, cease your tears, those girls will also age in time.
Oh, shut up, uncle, cease your fret, tomorrow you’ll a-laughing be.
You’ll see the snow-white hair, you will, and eyes that peer through spectacles,
you’ll see their noses and their chins, and jaws without a single tooth.
They’ll be bent double in the back and shamble with the aid of sticks.

Translated by John Leatham

Γέρασα, μωρέ παιδιά

– Γέρασα, μωρέ παιδιά, γέρασα και δε μπορώ,
γέρασα και δε μπορώ, τα τραγούδια μου να πω.
Βλέπω νιους κι είμαι ζηλιάρης, γέρος και παραπονιάρης.
Σαν βλέπω νιες τις Αποκριές, κάλλιο σαράντα μαχαιριές.

– Σώπα, μπάρμπα, και μην κλαις, θα γεράσουνε κι αυτές.
Σώπα, μπάρμπα, και μη σκας, ταχιά θα δεις και θα γελάς.
Θα δεις κάτασπρα μαλλιά και ματάκια με γυαλιά,
θα δεις μύτες και σαγόνια, σαγονιές με δίχως δόντια,
και στην πλάτη τους καμπούρα και στο χέρι τη μαγκούρα.

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Recording information

Live recording in the taverna 'To Monastiri', in Athens, in 1993.
Based on Simon Karas' recording which belongs to the Association for the Dissemination of Greek National Music.

Watch a different version of the song. Live recording from the concert Carnival Songs with Domna Samiou at the Thessaloniki Concert Hall, at 4/3/2003.

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