Listen

And the king did command
and ’twas a great command:
fleet and admiral were to quit the land.
By the Lord’s command and the King’s if-you-please
the fleet was to sail for the twelve islands.
Many fine ships rounded Cavo Doro, fair flying by;
when Lambros saw them, he heaved a great sigh
and piped all his brave lads up to the stern.
‘Come get it, barbarians, come give it your best
how Lambros’ men fight you soon will learn’.

Translated by Michael Eleftheriou

Μια προυσταγή μιγάλη

Του Λάμπρου Κατσώνη

Μια προυσταγή μιγά- μια προυσταγή μιγά-
μια προυσταγή μιγάλη προυστάζ’ ου βασιλιάς
να κατιβ’ η γιαρμάδα κι ου καπουδάν πασάς.

Να κατιβ’ η γιαρμάδα κι ου καπουδάν πασάς.
Μι του Θιού του λόγου κι μι του βασιλιά
η γιαρμάδα ν-ικατέβη στα δώδικα νησιά.
Βγαίνουν στουν Κάβου Ντόρου καράβια φουβιρά.
Σαν τα ’δινι ου Λάμπρους βαριά ’ναστέναξε
κι όλα τα παλικάρια στην πρύμη τα ’μασε.
Για ’λάτε βαρβαρέσοι, για ’λάτε βρε σκυλιά
να δεις πώς πολεμούνε του Λάμπρου τα σπαθιά.

Information

Collaborators

Albums

Notes

Refers to the naval battle fought between Kea and Cavo Doro on May 5, 1790, in which Lambros Katsόnis’ small fleet was destroyed by the Turkish armada. Miranda Terzopoulou (2007)

Recording information

Studio recording, 2004.

Domna Samiou taped the song in Ierissos, Chalkidiki, sung by Yiorgos and Roula Tzitzou, in 1972.

Member Comments

0 Comments

Post a comment


up to 2000
Login to post a comment

See also

d25_badge
Song
Hey Mountains of Grevená
Hey mountains of Grevená, hey mountain pine of Métsovo, can’t you dip a little lower. Dip two rifle shots so we can see Gr...
d32_badge--3
Song
Mavrianos' threshing floor
The wager of Giannis and the Sun At Mavrianos' marble threshing floor a king and a youth are contesting throwing heavy stones, no one can throw them like Gi...
d25_badge
Song
Nine villages they razed
Nine villages of ours they razed amán amán, and fifteen castles. Amán, come see the body you torture. And they took Náouss...
d25_badge
Song
They took the City
They took the City, they took Salonika and they took Haghia Sophia along with it. And they took Haghia Sophia, the Great Mo...
d25_badge
Song
When you dream of brave deeds
When you dream of brave deeds, my black-fated sons, when you dream of bravery, of taking to the hills, ask me first about...
d20_badge
Song
Why, it was Easter day
Why, it was Easter Day, good George, t’was Easter, the day of happy tidings, my good George, a day of happy tidings, dear D...
d25_badge
Song
Androútsos' mother
Androutsos’ mother is glad, Androutsos’ mother is glad and Diakos’ proud For they have warriors and captains for sons who ...
d24_badge
Song
Forty five lemon trees
Forty five lemon trees. Forty five lemon trees rooted in the sand, their leaves grow green, their lemons juicy. Only my le...
d25_badge
Song
Great joy across the land
Joy and celebrations across the land but Náfplion, my Náfplion, why are you not joyous? Why no scenes of joy, no celebratio...
d25_badge
Song
I Passed by One Saturday
One Saturday I passed through Mesolonghi, – hail fine fellows, ’twas Palm Saturday I remember. Palm Saturday it was, Saint...
d40_badge
Song
My love is to wed
My love is to wed and marry my rival, but it’s not that that pains me so, it pains me that she's asked me to be their best ...
d25_badge
Song
Rock of Monemvasiá
Rock, vai, rock of Monemvasiá Rock of Monemvasiá and Athens’ citadel. Hey Palamedi of Náfplion, open up and let me in. So ...
d25_badge
Song
What ails you, poor Parnassós
What ails you, poor Parnassós, what ails you that you stand there sadly. Are your snows not deep, are your streams not fre...