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Who Ever Saw a Tree of Green

Ποιός είδε πράσινο δεντρί
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Lyrics
Who ever saw a tree of green,
with silver leaves to boot,
my little black-eyed girl,
eyes black, eyebrows dark as soot.
In the tree tops all is golden
with young girls all aghast,
down at its roots who will sup first
from the coolest spring?
I went and knelt to drink
and kiss the eyes of the maid I love.
Ah, I went to drink and fill
and never to forget you.
I lost my kerchief, friends,
don’t you feel for me?
The gold-embroidered one so pretty,
good as new, oh what a pity!
The one embroidered for me
by three young maids a-singing
fresh as May cherries plucked off the tree.
Translated by Michael Eleftheriou
Original Lyrics
Ποιός είδε πράσινο δεντρί
Ποιος είδε πράσινο δεντρί, μαυροματούσα και μικρή,
να ’χει ασημένια φύλλα, μαύρα μάτια, μαύρα φρύδια
και στην κορφή μαλάματα, κοράσια με τα θάματα
και στη ρίζα κρύα βρύση, ποιος να πιει και να γεμίσει.
Πήγα να πιω και ’γω νερό, φιλώ τα μάτια της τα δυο,
να πιω και να γιομίσω και να μη σ’ αλησμονήσω.
Έχασα το μαντίλι μου, δε με λυπάστε φίλοι μου,
το χρυσοκεντημένο, μια χαρά ήταν το καημένο.
Οπού μου το κεντούσανε και μου το τραγουδούσανε
τρία ’πάρθενα1 κοράσια σαν του Μάη τα κεράσια.
1’πάρθενα: απάρθενα, ανέγγιχτα, παρθένα
Information
- Region: Eastern Thrace & Roumelia
- Categories: Love Song
- Rhythm: 7 beats
- Duration: 05:40
Collaborators
- Singer: Domna Samiou
- Constantinopolitan lyra: Socrates Sinopoulos
- Constantinopolitan lute: Socrates Sinopoulos
- Lute: Kostas Philippidis
- Goblet drum: Vangelis Karipis
Albums
Recording information
Studio recording, 2006.
Based on Simon Karas' recording which belongs to the Association for the Dissemination of Greek National Music.
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See also


Song
At the Casement of the House

Song
Down at Aghia Marini

Song
I Passed by and Bade Good Day

Song
I Went Aboard a Boat


Song
Little Birds of the East



Song
No Father Had I


Song
The Dead Brother

Song
You Drive Me Mother out from Home
