Listen

Hey mountains of Grevená,
hey mountain pine of Métsovo,
can’t you dip a little lower.
Dip two rifle shots so we can see Grevená,
and much-lauded Spílio,
see how Ziakas is battling the Turks.
The shells fall like rain and the bombs like hail,
and rifles here and there like raindrops.
Keep fighting, poor Thódoros,
keep the shots ringing out, have no fear of Abdi Pasha’s shots.
How can I keep on, boys, how can I fight,
my cartridge belt is empty, I’ve not one bullet left,
and I’ve a thousand women and children
hanging round my neck.
Keep fighting, poor Thódoros.

Translated by Michael Eleftheriou

Εσείς βουνά του Γρεβενού

Του Ζιάκα

ν-Εσείς βουνά, βουνά του Γρεβενού
και πεύκα του Μετσόβου, λίγο για χα- για χαμηλώσετε.

Λίγο για χαμηλώσετε δυο ντουφεκιές του βάθους
για να φανούν τα Γρεβενά, το παινεμένο Σπήλιο,
πώς πολεμάει Τζιάκας με την Τουρκιά.
Πέφτουν τα τόπια1 σα βροχή κι οι μπόμπες σα χαλάζι,
κι αυτά τα λιανοντούφεκα σα σιγαλή ψιχάλα.
Βάστα καημένε Θόδωρε, βαστάξου στο ντουφέκι,
μη σε φοβίζουν τίποτε τ’ Αβδή πασά τα τόπια.
Πώς να βαστάξω βρε παιδιά και πώς να πολεμήσω,
ο τζιπχανές2 εσώθηκε, δεν έμεινε ένα βόλι,
και χίλια γυναικόπαιδα κρέμονται στο λαιμό μου.
Βάστα καημένε Θόδωρε.

1τόπια: τα βόλια των κανονιών
2τζιπχανές: πυρομαχικά

Information

Collaborators

Albums

Notes

A song about Thódoros Ziakas, a member of the famed family of armatoloi from Makrynoros, Grevená. Ziakas continued to fight the Turks after the founding of the modern Greek state and met his death near the village of Spίlio in 1854, taking part in a local uprising. Miranda Terzopoulou (2007)

Recording information

Studio recording, 2004.

Based on Simon Karas' recording which belongs to the Association for the Dissemination of Greek National Music.

Member Comments

0 Comments

Post a comment


up to 2000
Login to post a comment

See also

d25_18_badge
Song
A Great Command
And the king did command and ’twas a great command: fleet and admiral were to quit the land. By the Lord’s command and the...
d25_badge
Song
Nine Villages They Razed
Nine villages of ours they razed amán amán, and fifteen castles. Amán, come see the body you torture. And they took Náouss...
d25_08_badge
Song
When You Dream of Brave Deeds
When you dream of brave deeds, my black-fated sons, when you dream of bravery, of taking to the hills, ask me first about...
d25_badge
Song
A Maid Decided
A maid decided to join the klephts and set fire, vr’ amán och amán, she set fire to her loom. She set fire to her loom, to...
d25_28_badge
Song
All the Castles I Have Seen
The Castle of the Beautiful Maid All the castles I have seen, not one have I not visited vr' amán amán, not one have I not visited, oh maid Frankish, maiden...
d25_15_badge
Song
Androútsos' Mother
Androutsos’ mother is glad, Androutsos’ mother is glad and Diakos’ proud For they have warriors and captains for sons who ...
d25_badge
Song
At Tserítsiana’s Well
At the well of Tserítsiana, in the heart of the land, hail fine fellows, there were Bulubasiades watching. There were Bulu...
d25_21_badge
Song
Great Joy Across the Land
Joy and celebrations across the land but Náfplion, my Náfplion, why are you not joyous? Why no scenes of joy, no celebratio...
d25_20_badge
Song
I Passed by One Saturday
One Saturday I passed through Mesolonghi, – hail fine fellows, ’twas Palm Saturday I remember. Palm Saturday it was, Saint...
d25_badge
Song
Rock of Monemvasiá
Rock, vai, rock of Monemvasiá Rock of Monemvasiá and Athens’ citadel. Hey Palamedi of Náfplion, open up and let me in. So ...
d25_35_badge
Song
The Captains of Trípoli
The captains of Trípoli, mana mou, the captains of Trípoli and the brave men of Moriá. In Albania they lie, in Iván they r...
d25_04_badge--2
Song
They Took the City
They took the City, they took Salonika and they took Haghia Sophia along with it. And they took Haghia Sophia, the Great Mo...
d25_badge
Song
What Ails You, Poor Plane-Tree?
What ails you, poor plane-tree? Your roots draw water, amán, your roots draw well, yet you stand there limp, your roots dr...
d20_badge
Song
Why, It Was Easter Day
Easter Dance Song Why, it was Easter Day, good George, t’was Easter, the day of happy tidings, my good George, a day of happy tidings, dear D...