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My Precious (Tzivaeri)

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Lyrics
Now a foreign land watches him grow -my precious one
my life's sweet-smelling blossom -silently and humbly.
God, I was the one who sent him there -my precious one
't was my own will- humbly I'm stepping on my land.
Damn you foreign lands, your winds lured him away,
your promises for promised lands -silently and humbly.
How could you take my lad away, foreign land,
and lure him to be yours -humbly I'm stepping on my land.
Translated by Olia Petidou
Original Lyrics
Τζιβαέρι
Aχ, η ξενιτιά το χαίρεται, τζιβαέρι μου,
το μοσχολούλουδό μου,
σιγανά, σιγανά, σιγανά και ταπεινά.
Aχ, εγώ ήμουνα που το ’στειλα, τζιβαέρι μου,
με θέλημα δικό μου,
σιγανά, σιγανά, σιγανά πατώ στη γη.
Αχ, πανάθεμά σε ξενιτιά, τζιβαέρι μου,
εσέν’ και το καλό σου,
σιγανά, σιγανά, σιγανά και ταπεινά,
αχ, που πήρες το παιδάκι μου, τζιβαέρι μου,
και το ’κανες δικό σου,
σιγανά, σιγανά, σιγανά πατώ στη γη.
Information
- Region: Dodecanese
- Type: Couplets
- Categories: Immigration Song
- Rhythm: 4 beats
- Duration: 02:53
Collaborators
- Singer: Domna Samiou
Albums
Notes
In the LP Travelling in Greece with Domna Samiou (1972), Domna Samiou noted:
This is a very popular song nowadays. It is a Dodecanese song that deals with the suffering and hardships of the Greek immigrants abroad. I remember that the first time I’ d heard it, it was sung by Amalia Papastephanou, a local singer from the Dodecanese, who had recorded a number of albums including traditional songs of her land. I had taken active part in the preparation and release of these albums at the time. The song in question was originally sung by her but I liked it so much that I also sang it myself.
See also others versions og the song: by Amalia Papastefanou (1960's), an instrumental version by Aristides Moschos (1974) and by Domna Samiou (2006).
Recording information
Studio recording, 1972.
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See also

Song
A Maid Bidding Farewell

Song
A Maid Was Singing

Song
A Maid Was Singing Longingly


Song
Exile Is the Greatest Hardship

Song
My Precious (Tzivaeri)



Song
The Ship Is My House

Song
Well Met

Song
When You Go off to Foreign Lands

Song
A Fair Maid Did Sing

Song
I Wish to Climb a Mountain Height

