Posted by GS on May 15, 2001 at 05:51:34:
In Reply to: Interpretation of the songs "O KAIMOS" and "ENA TO XELIDONI" posted by Mikael on May 09, 2001 at 00:14:30:
: Hi there!
: For a longer I have been fascinated by the songs "O KAIMOS" and "ENA TO XELIDONI". But since I don't know greek (except one occasional word here and there)I have difficulties getting the hang of those songs. Both though seem to have quite a strong emotional meaning. Could anybody help me out with this?
: Thanks! Mikael
Song:
ENA TO
XELIDONI
(M.Theodwraki Poiisi:Od.Elyti,"To Aksion Esti") Gr.Mpithikwtsis
Ena to xelidoni ki i anoiksi akribi
gia na gyrisei o ilios thelei doyleia polli
thelei nekroi xiliades na 'nai stoys troxoys
thelei ki oi zwntanoi na dinoyn to aima toys
Thee moy prwto-mastora m' extises mesa sta boyna
Thee moy prwto-mastora m' ekleises mes ti thalassa
Parthiken ap'toys magoys to swma toy Magioy
to 'xoyne thapsei s' ena mnima toy pelagoy
s' ena bathy pigadi, to 'xoyne kleisto
myrise to skotadi, ki oli i abyssos
Thee moy prwto-mastora mesa stis pasxalies ki esy
Thee moy prwto-mastora myrises tin Anastasi
Song:
KAIMOS
[OMORFI POLI]
(M.Theodwrakis stixoi:D.Xristodoyloy) Gr.Mpithikwtsis
Einai megalos o gialos
einai makry to kyma
einai megalos o kaimos
ki einai pikro to krima
Potami mesa moy pikro
to aima tis pligis soy
ki apo to aima pio pikro
sto stoma to fili soy
Den ksereis ti einai pagwnia
bradia xwris feggari
na mi gnwrizeis poia stigmi
o ponos tha se parei
Potami mesa moy pikro
to aima tis pligis soy
ki apo to aima pio pikro
sto stoma to fili soy
I will leave the exact translation to someone else. However, I was really amazed by Ena to Xelidoni since I was a kid, we used to sing it at school in the 17th of November day for the Polytechnic of Athens events. As far as I am concerned it is refering to the struggle of the Greek people (and people in general) to achieve freedom or a better way of life. That is why it was used as a "solemn protest" in the years of dictatorship of '67-'74.
Lyrics like: the "spring" will be costly, for the sun to return, it needs a lot of hard work. It needs thousands of martyrs and it requires that the living will give their blood as well.
And then the lament to God, the Great Creator that has built this land closed by the sea among the mountains, knowing that there was a lot of pain and suffer by its people, but also knowing that the spring and final ressurection is near.