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I wish for all the months in turn, await them all with longing,
but not, o not, the month of March when folks embark on travel.
That month fits galleys out for sea and slips a vessel’s moorings.
My husband also makes to go, and goes aboard the steamer.
- Good husband, would you go away and leave your wife behind here?
Good husband, take me with you, too, aboard the waiting vessel.
I’ll cook for you so you shall eat, make up your bunk for sleeping;
I’ll launder all your clothes for you in our own silver basin.

Translated by John Leatham

Όλους τους μήνες τους θέλω

Όλους, όλους τους μήνες τους θέλω κι όλους τους καλοθέλω
ωχ, το Μά- τράβα το χορό, ωχ, το Μάρτη μήνα δε θέλω.

Το Μάρτη μήνα δε θέλω γιατί είναι ταξιδιάρης.
Γιατ’ αρματώνει κάτεργα1 και ξεκινάει καράβια,
κινάει κι εμέν’ ο αφέντης μου μαζί με το καράβι.
Εσύ φεύγεις αφέντη μου κι εμένα πού μ’ αφήνεις;
Πάρε κι εμέν’ αφέντη μου μαζί με το καράβι,
να μαγειρεύω να δειπνάς, να στρώνω να κοιμάσαι
να πλένω τα ρουχάκια σου στην αργυρολεκάνη...

1κάτεργο: μεγάλο πολεμικό πλοίο, γαλέρα

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Recording information

Studio recording, 1989.

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

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