Καλλιτεχνικός Σύλλογος Δημοτικής Μουσικής Δόμνα Σαμίου

It seems that there were two kinds of dances in Anakou: The “strongilós” (round dance) and the “makroulós” (long-line dance). The former was a circle, whereas the latter a straight line. They used to dance all around the streets of the village, the tallest woman being the lead followed by the other dancers. Those two dances were to be performed during the three days of Easter, Ascension Day and the Blessed Virgin’s Day.

The story of the present ballad runs as follows. A knight, coming from afar discovers that the girl he is flirting with is his sister. She knows knothing about the fact and is deeply offended when he announces that he is leaving directly to go to his fiancé. In her distress the girl offers him a glass of wine containing a few drops of poison. He unwisely drinks it and dies on the spot.
Time signature: 2/4
Mode: Diatonic D within the range of a perfect fifth. Degree III fluctuating.

Transcription of the original 78 rpm recording of 1930 by Melpo Merlier, founder of the “Music Folklore Archive”.