ΠΟΛΕΙΣ ΤΟΥ ΚΑΛΟΚΑΙΡΙΟΥ-ΝΕΝΑ ΒΕΝΕΤΣΑΝΟΥ

Hello dear greek friends , please i need the english translation of this wonderful song , thanks in advance

to listen to the song :

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v5FuB8IynBo

lyrics

Πόλεις του καλοκαιριού
της λιακάδας και του νότου
του καιρού αρχοντικά
καταφύγια του ανθρώπου.

Σαν το φως
σας χαϊδεύει το σκοτάδι
κι η ζωή σαν στρατός
σας πονάει και σας αλλάζει.

Αλεξάνδρεια, Βηρυτός
Σαλονίκη, Καρχηδόνα
εστεμμένη Δαμασκός
με πορφύρα και κορώνα.

Τραπεζούντα, Οδησσός
ημισέληνος και άστρα
κι ο παπούς ο Κομνηνός
στης Ιεριχώς τα κάστρα.

Στις δικές σας γειτονιές
θά ‘ρθω και θα κατοικήσω
με το γέλιο σας κρυφά
τη ζωή μου θα κεντήσω.


thanks for attention

Hello ! Here's the translation but I'm afraid it won't make much sense

Cities of summer
of sunshine and south
mansions of the weather
man's safe house

Like the light
the dark caresses you
and life like army
hurts you and changes you

Alexandria, Beirut
Saloniki, Cartagina
Crowned Damask
with crimson and crown

Trabzon, Odessa
crescent and stars
and the grandfather Komninos
in the Ierihon's castles

In your neighbourhood
I'll come and I'll dwell
Secretly with your smile
I will embroider my life

Originally Posted by kmmy

Hello ! Here's the translation but I'm afraid it won't make much sense

Translation is almost PERFECT!

It does make some sense btw!

thank you so much for translating this song , I am grateful to you , It's one of my favorites ...

@Zahich : You're welcome !

@Amethystos: After I finished translating it, I was thinking that this song would've fit you better... your area of expertise haha

Originally Posted by Amethystos

It does make some sense btw!

Alexandria, Beirut
Saloniki, Cartagina
Crowned Damask
with crimson and crown

Trabzon, Odessa
crescent and stars
and the grandfather Komninos
in the Ierihon's castles

Ah, Amethystos, is a history, cultural lesson in order?

The first paragraph, referring to the Roman empire?

The second paragraph, referring to the Ottoman empire?

Originally Posted by kmmy

@Amethystos: After I finished translating it, I was thinking that this song would've fit you better... your area of expertise haha

You completely delivered the meaning of lyrics kmmy !

The thing I wanted to add is that these lyrics do have some logical order
and IF someone wanted to know more things he could post his/hers questions.

Originally Posted by feuersteve

Ah, Amethystos, is a history, cultural lesson in order?

The first paragraph, referring to the Roman empire?

The second paragraph, referring to the Ottoman empire?

My friend feuersteve, yes it's all about history.
More precisely, it's about history and aesthetics.
__________________________________________________ ________________________

Song's clearly talking about the Byzantine Empire.


__________________________________________________ ________________________

Byzantium's flag equals "crimson and crown", it's colors were actually goldish and something close to cherry.
So Greeks know that when the "πορφύρα" color, is being used we're talking about Byzantium.
There's a reference about the actual Byzantium color here -> http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Byzantium_(color)


__________________________________________________ ________________________

as for the " and the grandfather Komninos
in the Jericho's castles"

You propably have heard about the "Great Schism"

On 1st September 1057, Isaakios Komninos, became emperor by taking a vow to Michael Cærularius Patriarch of Constantinople.
On that day death of Jesus of Navi, is being mentioned to churches.
People grabbed the chance to resemble names of Isaakios -> Jesus of Navi and Michael Cærularius -> Archangel Michael.
According to myth, Jesus of Navi gained the battle and entered Jericho with the help of Archangel Michael.
So Isaakios entered Constantinople as emperor having Cærularius by his side.

Isaakios Komninos was the first emperor which faced the "Great Schism", it was then when Europe firstly had TWO "Popes"
That's why is being called as "Αυτοκράτορας των παπών" (Emperor of Popes).
Παπούς (grandfather) in Greek sounds pretty close to Πάπας(Pope)
And this is the reason why lyricist calls him "grandfather Komninos"

So finally Komninos in the Jericho's castles is a DIRECT REFERENCE to Constantinople.
__________________________________________________ ________________________

Song's talking about how time alters the "Byzantine aesthetics" to the above cities ... using some peculiar way!

Ps. Phew! I guess that's all about it....