Lazarus Saturday Carol

Γραμματικός ηκάθουνταν

Listen

A teacher seated himself down upon a block of marble
and started writing with his pen, and knocked his ink-well over,
the ink could not but stain his clothes, which were gold-thread embroidered.
The waters of nine rivers failed to wash away the blotches.
Why, open up, let in the light, that Lazarenes1 should come here
for Easter Sunday and the feast, with cries of ‘Christ is Risen!’.

Translated by John Leatham

1Lazarenes: The women who the previous day, the feast of Lazarus, made ready for the ceremonies of Palm Sunday

Γραμματικός ηκάθουνταν

Γραμματικό-νο-ς ηκάθουνταν
γραμματικός ηκάθουνταν πάνω στην άσπρη πέτρα
πάνω στην άσπρη πέτρα
κι έγραφιν κι κοντύλιαζιν κι χύθηκ’ η μιλάνη
κι βάψαν τα ρουχίτσια του τα χρυσοκιντημένα.
Σ’ ιννιά πουτάμια τά ’πλυνι κι πάλι δεν ξιβάφουν.
Ν’ ανοίξιτι, να λάμψιτι να ’ρθούν οι Λαζαρίνις
με τη λαμπρή την Πασκαλιά, μι το Χριστός Ανέστη.

Information

Collaborators

  • Singer: Stergiani Gourtzoumi

Albums

Recording information

Domna Samiou taped the carol in Aiani, Kozani, in 1996.

Member Comments

0 Comments

Post a comment


up to 2000
Login to post a comment

See also

d20_06_badge_aiani
Song
It is the feast of Lazarus
Lazarus Saturday Carol It is the feast of Lazarus, the feast of Palms is nigh. – Where were you, Lazarus, where did you hide yourself? – Why, I wa...
d20_09_badge_sarakina
Song
Good Women Bearing Palms
Lazarus Saturday Carol Come, Holy Virgin, come along and see these women bearing palms, good women bearing palms, good souls, bend down a little wa...
d20_07_badge_agia_paraskevi
Song
Im Wearing a White Rose
A Lazarus Song I’m wearing a white rose I am, I dearly wish to dye it and if I’m lucky with the dyes, how many hearts I’ll kindle. I’ll ki...
d24_badge
Song
Forty Five Lemon Trees
Forty five lemon trees. Forty five lemon trees rooted in the sand, their leaves grow green, their lemons juicy. Only my le...
d25_badge
Song
Hey Mountains of Grevená
Hey mountains of Grevená, hey mountain pine of Métsovo, can’t you dip a little lower. Dip two rifle shots so we can see Gr...
d22_badge
Song
The Kathismata
THE KATHISMATA 3rd Mode. Τhe harlot came to You, O Merciful Lord, pouring out on Your feet myrrh, mixed with her tears, and...
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...