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Who has seen a love-sick youth and a thief of love?

Roumbalia,1 carnation,
birds circle around you.

He wakes up with sighs and lies down with moans.

My Roumbalia from Chios,
I saw you yesterday and languished.

Although I make bed and lie, your eyes prevent my sleeping.

Roumbalia, carnation,
birds circle around you.

Even while I cross myself like a Christian, I still remember you.

My Roumbalia from Chios,
I saw you yesterday and languished.

Translated by Mania Seferiades

1Roumbalia: a lady’s name

Ρουμπαλιά, γαρουφαλιά

Ποιος είδε νέο σεβνταλή1 και της αγάπης κλέφτη,

Ρουμπαλιά,2 γαρουφαλιά
σε τριγυρνούνε τα πουλιά.

Για να ξυπνάει με το αχ και με το βαχ να πέφτει.

Ρουμπαλιά μου Χιώτισσα
σε είδα ψες κι αρρώστησα.

Τα μάτια σου με κάνανε, να στρώσω δεν κοιμούμαι

Ρουμπαλιά, γαρουφαλιά
σε τριγυρνούνε τα πουλιά.

Και το σταυρό σα Χριστιανός να κάνω δεν θυμούμαι.

Ρουμπαλιά μου Χιώτισσα
σε είδα ψες κι αρρώστησα.

1σεβνταλής: ερωτευμένος
2Ρουμπαλιά: γυναικείο όνομα

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Recording information

Studio recording, 1991.

Watch a different version of the song by Domna Samiou

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