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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.

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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.

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