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I Want to Climb up to the Top

Θέλω ν' ανέβω στα ψηλά
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Lyrics
I want to climb up to the top, my friend, up to the top
of the roof of Saint George's, of Saint George's roof.
I want to pick just two carnations, to sweep and make all clean,
to sweep the she and make it clean so ships may come to anchor.
A ship dropped anchor right before the front door of the palace,
the king was not at home, it seems, but three princesses were,
the one embroidering the sky, another one the moon,
the youngest of them all at work embroidering a kerchief.
Embroider it, my girl, embroider it, it is for your betrothed,
see you put some sugar in it, and red mastic gum,
and take it with you to your school, and from your school to home.
And if the door should not be open, throw it through the window
to make the groom come out with arms, the bride with her wedding jewels.
Translated by John Leatham
Original Lyrics
Θέλω ν' ανέβω στα ψηλά
Θέλω ν’ ανέβω στα ψηλά, καλέ , θέλω ν’ ανέβω στα ψηλά, καλέ
στ’ Άγιου Γιωργιού το δώμα, στ’ Άγιου Γιωργιού το δώμα
να κόψω δυο γαρίφαλα, να κάνω φροκαλίτσα1
να φροκαλώ2 τη θάλασσα, ν’ αράζουν τα καράβια.
Ένα καράβι άραξε στου βασιλιά την πόρτα,
ο βασιλιάς δεν ήτανε μόν’ τρεις βασιλοπούλες.
Η μια κεντάει τον ουρανό κι η άλλη το φεγγάρι
κι απ’ όλες η μικρότερη κεντάει το μαντιλάκι.
Κέντα το κόρη μ’, κέντα το, του ’ρβωνιασ’τκού σ’ μαντίλι
να βάλεις μέσα ζάχαρη και κόκκινη μαστίχα
να το πηγαίνεις στο σχολειό κι απ’ το σχολειό στο σπίτι.
Κι αν δεν είν’ πόρτα ανοιχτή, ρίχτ’ απ’ το παραθύρι,
να βγει ο γαμπρός με τ’ άρματα κι η νύφη με τ’ς αλ’σίδες.
1φροκαλίτσα: μικρή σκούπα (φρόκαλο)
2φροκαλώ ή γροκαλώ: σκουπίζω
Information
- Region: Eastern Aegean
- Area: Lesvos, Skoutaro
- Categories: Swing Song, Children's Song
- Rhythm: 2 beats
- Duration: 02:30
Collaborators
- Choir: Children's Choir of the mixed High School 'Estia Neas Smyrnis'
- Flute: Charalambos Giannopoulos
- Lute: Mathios Ventouris
Albums
Recording information
Studio recording, 1980.
Domna Samiou taped the song in Skoutaro, Lesvos, sung by 10-years old Philissia Vourtzoumi and her grandmother, in 1975.
The song also included in the album Songs of Dame Sea, sung by Stefania Samakoviti, in 2001.
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