Αλησμονώ και χαίρομαι

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Forgetful I am truly glad, but mindful I am saddened;
remembering those foreign lands, I want to set out for them.
– Get up, good mother, knead some dough, bake fresh rusks for my journey.
Aggrieved she pours the water in, she kneads with tears a-plenty;
with heavy heart she lights the fire to heat the baking oven.
– O oven, bide your time to heat, and you, o loaf, to finish;
just let the caravaneer go past, my son must then remain here.

Translated by John Leatham

Αλησμονώ και χαίρομαι

- Aλησμονώ και χαίρομαι, θυμάμαι και λυπάμαι,
θυμήθηκα την ξενιτιά και θέλω να πηγαίνω.
Σήκω μάνα μ’ και ζύμωσε καθάριο παξιμάδι.
Mε πόνους βάζει το νερό, με δάκρυα το ζυμώνει
και με πολύ παράπονο βάζει φωτιά στο φούρνο.
- Άργησε φούρνε να καείς και συ ψωμί να γένεις
για να περάσει ο κερατζής1 κι ο γιός μου ν’ απομείνει.

1κερατζής: οδηγός καραβανιού

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Recording information

Studio recording, 1961. Released in extended play 45 rpm disc (Philips 8433, 1961) supervised by Domna Samiou (Recordings in 45 RPM), in 1961 in the LP Songs of the Sea and of the Highlands (Philips 600506 PR, 1961), in 1969, in the LP Songs and Tunes from all Around Greece (Fidelity 0320 PL, 1969). Later, in 2008, Yiorgos Tsambras included the track in the CD collection Mousiko Odiporiko 1959-1969 (Universal Music, 2008).

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