You are at: Home page Her Work List of Songs Little Ship, Where Are You Going

Little Ship, Where Are You Going

Listen
Lyrics
Little ship, where are you going shore to shore, come out so I can see you
You’ve cast a spell on me
and I am mad about you,
your sister’s put a spell on me
and I am mad about you.
with red flag and golden cross, come out so I can see you
Come out so I can see you and get well
so I don’t decline and die,
come out so I can see you for a while
and my longing be fulfilled.
if you’re going to Constantinople and to Saint Sophia, my sweet
Come now, come, I’m speaking to you
don’t torture me and make me cry,
come now, come, my little dove,
let me take you in my arms.
take me aboard and pull away, come out so I can see you
Come now, just the two of us
let me make the bunk you’ll sleep in
come now, come along with me
so you’ll have a gladsome time.
boats hailing from Psara have anchored at Constantinople, o my sweet smelling basil
It is your plaited head of hair
that’s maddened many and myself,
your tresses and that neck of yours
have made me think of you.
the Turkish girls noticed them and sighed, I know not why.
That pair of small dark eyes of yours
are full of longing and of passion,
the lashes of your eyes close tight
and will not let me go.
Translated by John Leatham
Original Lyrics
Καράβι καραβάκι
Καράβι καραβάκι που πας γιαλό-γιαλό, έβγα να σε δω
Μάγια μου ’χεις καμωμένα
και τρελαίνομαι για σένα
μάγια μου ’χει η αδερφή σου
και τρελαίνομαι μαζί σου.
με κόκκινη σημαία και με χρυσό σταυρό, έβγα να σε δω
Έβγα να σε δω να γιάνω
να μην πέσω και πεθάνω,
έβγα να σε δω λιγάκι
να μου φύγει το μεράκι.
αν είσαι για την Πόλη και την αγιά Σοφιά, αγάπη μου γλυκιά
Έλα-έλα σαν σου λέγω,
μη με τυραννείς και κλαίγω,
έλα-έλα πέρδικά μου
στ’ αγκαλάκια τα δικά μου.
πάρε και μένα μέσα και σύρε στο καλό, έβγα να σε δω
Έλα να ’σαι, να ’μαι, να ’σαι
να σου στρώνω να κοιμάσαι,
έλα-έλα με τα μένα,
να περνάς χαριτωμένα.
τα ψαριανά καράβια στην Πόλη αράξανε, σγουρέ βασιλικέ
Τα μαλλιά σου τα πλεγμένα
τρέλαναν πολλούς και μένα,
τα μαλλιά σου κι ο λαιμός σου
μ’ έφεραν στο λογισμό σου.
τα είδανε οι τουρκοπούλες κι αναστενάξανε, άτζαμπα1 γιατί.
Τα ματάκια σου τα μαύρα
είν’ όλο καημός και λάβρα,
τα ματόκλαδά σου κλείνουν
και να φύγω δε μ’ αφήνουν.
1άτζαμπα: άραγε
Information
- Region: Eastern Aegean
- Area: Chios
- Type: Couplets
- Categories: Sea and Sailors Song, Love Song
- Rhythm: 7 beats
- Dance style: Syrtos
- Duration: 05:13
Collaborators
- Singer: Domna Samiou
- Violin: Nikos Oikonomidis
- Constantinopolitan lute: Socrates Sinopoulos
- Santur: Angelina Tkatcheva-Stathopoulou
- Lute: Kostas Philippidis
- Goblet drum: Vangelis Karipis
Albums
Notes
In characteristic manner, this song casually interweaves national symbols of historical memory with purely erotic meanings. Miranda Terzopoulou (2002)
Translated by John Leatham
Recording information
Studio recording, 2001.
Based on Simon Karas' recording which belongs to the Association for the Dissemination of Greek National Music.
Member Comments
Post a comment
See also

Song
I Want to Climb up to the Top


Song
A Trader Made His Way

Song
I Went Aboard a Boat

Song
Kaklamaniko

Song
Our Fishing-Boat a Battered Hulk

Song
River, Dear River of Mine

Song
So Many Lies

Song
The Lament of the Virgin (Mytilene)

Song
The Ship Is My House

Song
The Words Gone Round

Song
What Did I Do to You, My Sun

Song
With Child A-Mowing

Song
Yio Mario
