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In a fine orchard, laurel and myrtle quarrel.
And myrtle, amàn-amàn, myrtle says to laurel…

And myrtle says to laurel, -You stole my branch.
– No, by Saint John, I did not steal your branch!
And if I did, let the river take me and unmake me,
sweep me West upon a swell to the pasha’s well.

The maid goes for water, the aga bends to kiss her.
– Mind your cloak maid, for your apron I’m afraid.
– What care you aga, if my apron gets muddy?
– I care, he said, though we quarrel ’tis you I will wed.
– Better a snake bite you than your wish come true.

Translated by Michael Eleftheriou

Μέσα σ’ ώριο περιβόλι

Μέσα σ’ ώριο περιβόλι δάφνη και μυρτιά μαλώνει
κι η μυρτιά, βρ’ αμάν-αμάν,
κι η μυρτιά ’λεγε της δάφνης...

Κι η μυρτιά ’λεγε της δάφνης: συ μου πήρες το κλωνάρι.
– Όχι μα τον Αϊ-Γιάννη, δε σου πήρα γω κλωνάρι
κι αν σου πήρα γω κλωνάρι, να με πάρει το ποτάμι
να με πάει τη δύση-δύση κάτω στου πασά τη βρύση.
Πάει η κόρη να γεμίσει, σκύβει ο αγάς να τη φιλήσει.
– Σήκωσ’, κόρη, το σαγιά1 σου μη λερώσεις την ποδιά σου.
– Τι σε κόφτ’ εσένα, αγά μου, κι αν λερώσω την ποδιά μου.
– Κόφτει με και κοσπετάρω2 και γυναίκα θα σε πάρω.
– Κάλλιο να σε φάει το φίδι παρ’ αυτό που θες να γίνει.

1σαγιάς: χοντρό μάλινο ύφασμα, κάπα
2κοσπετάρω: φιλονικώ

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Studio recording, 2005.

Based on Simon Karas' recording which belongs to the Association for the Dissemination of Greek National Music.

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