Καλλιτεχνικός Σύλλογος Δημοτικής Μουσικής Δόμνα Σαμίου

Five and ten –now harken here– five and ten priests’ wives there were,
five and ten priests’ wives there were and nuns to the same number
who went to fish the river waters and to have a bathe;
they lay their habits to one side and then their underwear.

Lo, yonder is a lonesome monk, behind the tall plane-tree;
he gathers all their habits up and all their underwear.

– The Lord be with you, brother monk, give us our habits, pray,
and all our underwear,
and which one of us all you choose, take to your bed tonight.

– Good heavens, brother, what on earth is that so flaming red?
– Oh, there were painters busy painting; as I passed their way
they painted just the tip for me.

– Good heavens, brother, what on earth is that great woolly thing?
– Why, there were shepherds busy shearing; as I passed their way
they heaped the wool on me.

Translated by John Leatham