Mikis Theodorakis - The Struggles of the Greek People lyrics

Thread: Mikis Theodorakis - The Struggles of the Greek People lyrics

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  1. pstencel said:

    Lightbulb Mikis Theodorakis - The Struggles of the Greek People lyrics

    Mikis Theodorakis
    Peoples' Music: The Struggles of the Greek People
    Originally released: 01-Jan-1970

    Please help me with the lyrics for the following songs.
    It would be very good if someone can provide the oryginal lyrics and an english translation.
    Songs 1, 2, 3 and 5 are performed by M. Farantouri (my favourite singer).
    Songs 6 and 7 are performed by A.Kaloyannis.

    1. Sotiris Petroulas - it is easy...
    2. The Partisans - I haven't found anything. Please help.
    3. The Boy with the Sunlit Smile there is a lot in the net. It is enough to type: To gelasto paidi
    4. Overture-Instrumental - no lyrics here. Instrumental
    5. Make Your Bed For Two - there is a lot in the net. It is enough to type: Strosse to stroma sou
    6. In the Cellar of the Taverna - I haven't found anything. Please help.
    7. Ballad of Andros - I haven't found anything. Please help.
    8. Instrumental-Sirtaki - no lyrics here. Instrumental

    I'm also interested in the songs history (when were they written, why etc.)
    I have already found information about 1, 3 and 5.
    As for 4 and 8 they are instrumental.
    I'm interested in 2, 6 and 7. I couldn't find even greek titles for them.

    Could anybody help me please? Many thanks.
    Pawel
     
  2. Amethystos's Avatar

    Amethystos said:

    Default Song no 2

    It's trully difficult, for a guy in my age, to find out what happened with this one.

    Well story begins with an Irish poet and novelist called Brendan Behan.
    During the 50's Behan wrote a one-act theatrical scenario called "An Giall" which opened during 1957 in the Damer Theatre, Dublin. (wikipedia)

    "The Hostage" is a loose 1958 English version, with songs, adapted in a much longer text from a one-act Irish language Gaelic play "An Giall", by its author, Brendan Behan. (wikipedia)

    On 12 April 1962 was the opening of the Greek version of the play called "Ένας όμηρος"= a Hostage in the "Kykliko theatro". Translated by Vassili Rotas and directed by Leonidas Trivizas.
    More info ->http://www.mikis-theodorakis.net/hostagee.htm


    In the show the songs were sung by the GREAT voice of Dora Giannakopoulou.
    You can listen her in the following vid singing "To gelasto pedi"-> http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3TrmvK6Olio

    Or even better singing the trully magnificent "Marina" (Poetry: Odysseas Elytis Music Mikis Theodorakis)-> http://www.esnips.com/doc/197fd7bd-8...3;να
    (Too bad there's no upload from the movie that she participated and interpreted all these wonderfull Theodoraki's songs)

    So your song "The partizans" is actually called "Poios de mila gia ti lampri" which is a translation of "Who fears to speak of Easter Week" this IS AN IRISH SONG (not the music although) and that's why it DOESN'T NEED A TRANSLATION! Vassili Rotas already translated it in Greek (who am I to do the opposite work? )

    This song is mostly known as the main theme of the movie "Z" (based on the Vassili Vassilikos' book, directed by Kosta Gavras).
    And it's also the hymn of the Greek National Football team.

    Title: "Poios de mila gia ti lampri" (original title "Who fears to speak of Easter Week")
    Lyrics: Brendan Behan / Greek translation by Vassili Rotas
    Music: Mikis Theodorakis
    Sung by Dora Giannakopoulou (Theatrical 1962)

    So listen Brendan Behan singing
    "Who fears to speak of Easter Week" -> http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=09h68DkKsW4

    And for those who don't know "Poios den miaei gia tin lampri"->http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7inqyaTe77I&fmt=18

    And here is the greek translation:

    Ποιος δε μιλά για τη λαμπρή
    γιορτή ξανανιωμού,
    πάν τα παιδιά στον πόλεμο
    και παν του σκοτωμού.

    Με θάρρος οι τρανές καρδιές
    έπιασαν τα στενά,
    ψηλά η σημαία ανέμιζε
    η αντάρτισσα μπροστά.

    Δέκα χιλιάδες φτάσανε
    χακένιοι ταxτικοί
    για να σκοτώσουν τα παιδιά
    μα μείναν εδ' εκεί.

    Με πολυβόλα κι άρματα
    κανόνια τους σωρό,
    κανένας τους δε γύρισε,
    δε φταίμε εμείς για αυτό.

    Ένας με δέκα, ημέρες εξ,
    κρατήσαμε γερά
    και δεν περάσαν τις γραμμές,
    μ' όλα τους τα πυρά.

    Μας ρίξαν και φαρμακερά
    αέρια και καπνούς,
    μας κάψαν την πρωτεύουσα
    ωσάν τους Γερμανούς.

    Σκοτώσαν τους ηγέτες μας
    χωρίς απολογιά τους,
    γυναίκες μας, μικρά παιδιά
    στα γόνατα μπροστά τους.

    Τους τάφους άνοιγαν κρυφά
    και θάβαν τους νεκρούς,
    δεν πιάσαν ούτε σκότωσαν
    αντάρτες μας πιστούς.

    Ποιος δε μιλά για τη λαμπρή
    γιορτή ξανανιωμού,
    πάν τα παιδιά στον πόλεμο
    και παν του σκοτωμού.

    ************************************************** ********************
    Lastly there must be a correction in greek lyrics:
    song talks about fighting against "the forces of the crown", but during 1962 Greece had a King.
    So Rotas bypassed it saying it as: "παν του σκοτωμου" = they're going fast
    ************************************************** ********************
    All these for just the second song....

    Last edited by Amethystos; 05-06-2009 at 04:39 PM.
    "Gilgamesh, where are you hurrying to?
    You will never find that life for which you are looking.
    When the gods created man they allotted to him death,
    but life they retained in their own keeping"
     
  3. Amethystos's Avatar

    Amethystos said:

    Default song no 3

    Same thing happens with this one.....

    Check the discussion of Toni and Zvezda in the following link (includes Greek and English lyrics)->
    http://www.allthelyrics.com/forum/gr...arantouri.html

    Info about the "Laughing boy" or MICHAEL COLLINS ->
    http://fenian32.blogspot.com/2005/08/laughing-boy.html

    Source of info for "gelasto pedi" song-> http://www.libraryirelandweek.ie/com...iew/extid,214/

    Listen to the song
    -> http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3TrmvK6Olio
    (already posted above btw!!!!)
    Last edited by Amethystos; 05-05-2009 at 05:03 PM.
    "Gilgamesh, where are you hurrying to?
    You will never find that life for which you are looking.
    When the gods created man they allotted to him death,
    but life they retained in their own keeping"
     
  4. Amethystos's Avatar

    Amethystos said:

    Default Song no5

    In 1963 was the premiere of "Geitonia ton aggelon" a theatrical scenario wrote by Iakovos Kabanelis.
    Songs composed by Theodorakis and the first guys who sung "Strose to stroma sou gia dio" were Niko Kourkoulos (actor) and Vaggeli Silinos (dancer-choreographer-actor).

    1st translation thanks to stixoi.info->http://stixoi.info/stixoi.php?info=T...ails&t_id=6891

    2nd translation (look at the infos)->http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9hSJjpOb4d4


    "Gilgamesh, where are you hurrying to?
    You will never find that life for which you are looking.
    When the gods created man they allotted to him death,
    but life they retained in their own keeping"
     
  5. Amethystos's Avatar

    Amethystos said:

    Default Song no 6

    Title: Oi moiraioi
    Poetry: Kostas Varnalis
    Music: Mikis Τheodorakis
    Sung by Grigori Βithikotsis
    Lp: Politia b' (1964)

    Music was written by Mikis to honor the 80th anniversary of Varnali's birthday (while he was still alive).

    Listen to the song->http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xGNUNqYSvRw&fmt=18

    Link for translation -> http://stixoi.info/stixoi.php?info=T...ails&t_id=4134

    Last edited by Amethystos; 05-05-2009 at 06:25 PM.
    "Gilgamesh, where are you hurrying to?
    You will never find that life for which you are looking.
    When the gods created man they allotted to him death,
    but life they retained in their own keeping"
     
  6. pstencel said:

    Default

    Many, many thanks Amethystos for the information. The only outstanding song is number 7 now - do you know anything about it? As for the voice of Dora Giannakopoulou - her songs are magnificent. Thanks for uploading "Marina" - I know what I will do next... I will look for Dora songs. Best regards.
    Pawel
     
  7. Amethystos's Avatar

    Amethystos said:

    Default Song no 7

    This is the second song that Mikis wrote to honor 80th birthday's anniversary of Varnalis.

    Title: I ballada toy Antrikou (Andriko's ballad)
    Poetry: Kostas Varnalis
    Music: Mikis Τheodorakis
    Sung by Grigori Βithikotsis
    Lp: Politia b' (1964)

    Είχε την τέντα ξομπλιαστή
    It had got a sail full of ornaments
    η βάρκα του καμπούρη Αντρέα.
    the boat of humpbacked Andreas
    Γυρμένος πλάι στην κουπαστή
    Leaned on gunwale
    ονείρατα έβλεπεν ωραία.
    he was watching nice dreams

    Η Κατερίνα κι η Ζωή,
    Kate and Zoe
    τ' Αντιγονάκι κι η Ζηνοβία.
    little Antigoni and Zenovia
    Ω, τι χαρούμενη ζωή!
    Oh what a happy life
    Χτυπάς, φτωχή καρδιά, με βία.
    You (life) are hurting, a poor heart, violently
    (meaning old Andreas heart)

    Τα μεσημέρια τα ζεστά
    On hot noons
    τη βάρκα παίρνανε τ' Αντρέα
    they were getting Andrea's boat
    για να τις πάει στ' ανοιχτά
    to go to open sea
    όλες μαζί, τρελή παρέα.
    all of them, (such) a crazy company

    Ήρθ' ο χειμώνας ο κακός

    Bad wintertime came
    και σκόρπισε η τρελή παρέα
    and crazy company splitted up
    Και σένα βήχας μυστικός
    And as for you, a hidden cough
    σ' έριξε χάμω, μπάρμπα-Αντρέα.
    get you ill, you old-Andreas


    ************************************************** ************
    As for Dora Gianakopoulou, I suggest you listen to "Mikres Kyklades" Lp.
    Last edited by Amethystos; 05-07-2009 at 03:26 AM.
    "Gilgamesh, where are you hurrying to?
    You will never find that life for which you are looking.
    When the gods created man they allotted to him death,
    but life they retained in their own keeping"
     
  8. pstencel said:

    Default

    Thank you!
    Pawel