Μια λυγερή τραγούδησε

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A fair maid did sing out in the moonlight,
but the gentle wind took her song
and swept it out to sea

and every boat that heard it reefed its sails
save a boat from Sfakiá with its Cretan crew
that could neither reef sails nor drop anchor.
– Hove to, boys, lower the sails
so we can hear the fair maid sing.
Heave, men! Lower the sails.

Translated by Michael Eleftheriou

Μια λυγερή τραγούδησε

Μια λυγερή τραγούδησε όξω στο φεγγαράκι
μα ήταν αέ- μα ήταν αέρας ταπεινός,
μα ήταν αέρας ταπεινός και πήρε τη λαλιά της

και πήρε την και πήγε την ανάμεσα πελάου
κι όσα καράβια τ’ άκουσαν όλα ιμαϊνάραν.1
Μα ένα καράβι σφακιανό, απ’ τα Σφακιά Σφακιώτες,
να μαϊνάρει δεν μπορεί, ν’ αράξει δεν ηξέρει.
– Ναύτες μαϊνάρτε τα πανιά,2 βάλτε τις τέντες κάτω,
ν’ ακούσομε τη λυγερή ίντα τραγούδι λέει.
Ναύτες μαϊνάρτε τα πανιά.

1μαϊνάρω: χαλαρώνω, κατεβάζω
2μαϊνάρω τα πανιά: μαζεύω τα πανιά

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Recording information

Studio recording, 2006.

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

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