Listen

They sent me a carnation plant, Roumbaliá, Roumbaliá,
from the land of the Franks,

and the pot is made of marble, Roumbaliá, Roumbaliá,
the carnations are golden.

Night fell and the stars are out and they will kill me.
Ask intercessors to plead for me, my light, perhaps they will save me.

My Marigó, my lady, my young girl from Meli,
I want to draw your picture on my tobacco pouch.

Ρουμπαλιά

Μια γαρουφαλιά μου στείλαν, Ρουμπαλιά, Ρουμπαλιά1
ν-από μέσ’ απ’ τη Φραγκιά

κι είν’ η γλάστρα μαρμαρένια, Ρουμπαλιά, Ρουμπαλιά
τα γαρούφαλα χρυσά.

Νύχτιωσε και βγήκαν τ’ άστρα και θα με σκοτώσουνε,
βάλε, φως μου, ριτζατζήδες2 ίσως με γλυτώσουνε.

Μαριγώ μου και ντουντού3 μου και Μελιωτοπούλα μου,
να σε ζωγραφίσω θέλω στην καπνοσακκούλα μου.

1Ρουμπαλιά: γυναικείο όνομα
2ριτζατζήδες: μεσολαβητές (από το τουρκικό ricacı)
3ντουντού: προσωνυμία που δινότανε στις γυναίκες

Information

Collaborators

  • Singer: Maria Karamblaka
  • Choir: Women's Group from Meli (Megara, Attiki)
  • Informant (source of the song): Maria Karamblaka

Albums

Recording information

Studio recording, 1984.

Domna Samiou taped the song in Meli, near Megara, Attiki, sung by Maria Karablaka and a group of women, in 1981.

Member Comments

0 Comments

Post a comment


up to 2000
Login to post a comment

See also

d14_badge
Song
At Dawn
At dawn not once did I get up without sighing arise, my sun, come, talk to me without bending again on the pillow and cryin...
d14_badge
Song
Attaris
I vowed to the Holy Virgin not to sing again. Attaris! But for your sake I will break the vow. Four! Once again four bl...
d14_badge
Song
Dimitroula
You dance, my spoilt one, but I don't know who are you, from your stature you seem, scampish perivolaria, to be of noble bi...
d11_badge
Song
I’ll Jump From the Railings
I’ll jump from the railings, I’ll fall to my death and my love calls out “For the love of God, catch him!” You’re white as ...
d11_badge
Song
My Heartless Love
Smyrna's Bálos My heartless love, do you not feel for me as you don your finery and I lose myself for love of thee? Come kiss me quick ...
d14_badge
Song
The Water of Life
Olmaz The water of Life flows from your sweet eyes. I asked you for a little but you didn’t give me any to drink. Impossible, my ...
d14_badge
Song
The Widow
Widow, change your name, don't let them call you widow, for you make my eyes weep night and day. But why don't tell us the...
d14_badge
Song
The Young Meliots
Two young Meliots got up to dance the syrtos, they will ask us for songs and commendations. Come, let us go over there and ...
d14_badge
Song
Yatzilariani
I brought you a Good Evening, give me a Good Night I had no business here, I came only for you. Come out that I may see yo...
d14_badge
Song
Yioryitsa
I intended to love you, my Yioryítsa, and nobody to know of it. Now our own people learn of it, my Yioryítsa, strangers to...
d14_badge
Song
You Have Entangled Me
You have entangled me, you have, like a bee, I am fed up being your slave and also your ransomer, my little one. You have...
d14_badge
Song
Wake up My Black Eyed One
The Grasses of the Earth Wake up my black eyed one I’ve come to your neighbourhood, I have brought you a golden tress to plait your hair. Your black...