You are at: Home page Her Work List of Songs A Great Command
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Lyrics
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
Photo: The battle of Sfaktiria (1825), coloured lithograph, Athens, National Historical Museum, no. 4663.
Original Lyrics
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.
Φωτ. Η ναυμαχία στη Σφακτηρία (1825). Επιχρωματισμένη λιθογραφία. Εθνικό Ιστορικό Μουσείο, αρ. κατ. 4663.
Information
- Region: Macedonia
- Area: Chalkidiki, Ierissos
- Categories: Historical Song
- Rhythm: 4 beats
- Dance style: Kangeleftos
- Duration: 04:55
Collaborators
- Singer: Domna Samiou
- Choir: Domna Samiou Greek Folk Music Association Choir
- Constantinopolitan lyra: Socrates Sinopoulos
- Daouli (davul): Andreas Pappas
- Informant (source of the song): Yiorgos Tzitzos, Roula Tzitzou
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.
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