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Lyrics
Three monks from Crete, three monks from Crete
And three from Mount Athos, te-teriri-riririrem1
they fitted out a sailing-ship, after the Lord’s Resurrection.
There blew a northerly ahead, a southerly astern.
– I do not fear you, Boreas, I care not how you blow,
you see, my yards are made of bronze , my masts are made of steel,
and I’ve a sailor lad with me who knows the weather lore.
Translated by John Leatham
1te-teriri-riririrem: a melodic prolongation of the voice (krátima) in Byzantine psalmody, the word terirem being repeated over and over again.
Original Lyrics
Τρεις Καλογέροι Κρητικοί (Τεριρέμ)
Τρεις καλογέροι Κρητικοί, τρεις καλογέροι Κρητικοί
και τρεις απ’ τ’ Άγιον Όρος, τε-τεριρι-ριριριρέμ1
καράβιν αρματώσανε με το Χριστός Ανέστη.
Φυσάει βοριάς από μπροστά, κακιά νοτιά από πίσω.
– Δε σε φοβούμαι κυρ βοριά φυσήξεις δε φυσήξεις,
έχω αντένες μπρούτζινες κι ατσάλινα κατάρτια
έχω κι ένα ναυτόπουλο που τους καιρούς γνωρίζει.
1τε-τεριρι-ριριριρέμ: μελωδική παράταση της φωνής στη βυζαντινή ψαλμωδία, με επανάληψη της λέξης «τεριρέμ», κράτημα
Information
- Region: Eastern Aegean
- Area: Chios, Mesta
- Categories: Sea and Sailors Song
- Rhythm: 4 beats
- Duration: 04:36
Collaborators
- Singer: Domna Samiou
- Choir: Domna Samiou Greek Folk Music Association Choir
- Constantinopolitan lyra: Socrates Sinopoulos
- Bendir (frame drum): Vangelis Karipis
- Informant (source of the song): Evangelia Sarantinoudi
Albums
Recording information
Studio recording, 2001.
Domna Samiou taped the song in Mesta, Chios, sung by Evangelia Sarantinoudi, in 1976.