Nana Mouskouri

Now as you are going abroad
I will become a bird of the south
quickly to meet you.
So that I can bring you the cross
you asked me to find
and to give you a ring.

You were a cypress tree in the courtyard, my beloved
who will give to me the kiss that I am waiting for
On the beautiful seashore I watch for you to come again
like a small joyful bird. (twice)

My golden love be well
may the Holy Mother be with you
and when the dove will come.

I will have hung, as a talisman
in the open window
my heart like a star.

You were a cypress tree in the courtyard, my beloved
who will give to me the kiss that I am waiting for
On the beautiful seashore I watch for you to come again
like a small joyful bird. (twice)

(translation: Eva Johanos)

Ήσουν κυπαρίσσι στην αυλή μου αγαπημένο
ποιος θα μου χαρίσει το φιλί που περιμένω.
Στ’ όμορφο ακρογιάλι καρτερώ να μου ρθεις πάλι
σαν μικρό χαρούμενο πουλί. (δις)

I opened a well in my garden,
so that the birds could drink from,
so that you will come day and night
like a small water drop.
You came one night with the wind, and my heart sighed,
I eagerly told you “good morning”
and you told me “good bye”.

Talk to me, talk to me,
I never kissed you.
Talk to me, talk to me,
tell me how to forget you.
Talk to me, talk to me,
I never kissed you.
Talk to me, talk to me,
I kiss you only in my dreams.

I planted grass by your door
So that you can have shade and dew,
And I came before the moon changed
to bring you warmth.
I took you to the sun’s acclivity
In the wide back streets,
but cold and wind came
and you didn’t light a fire for me.

Talk to me, talk to me,
I never kissed you.
Talk to me, talk to me,
tell me how to forget you.
Talk to me, talk to me,
I never kissed you.
Talk to me, talk to me,
I kiss you only in my dreams.

Μίλησέ μου, μίλησέ μου,
δε σε φίλησα ποτέ μου.
Μίλησέ μου, μίλησέ μου,
πώς να σε ξεχάσω θε μου.
Μίλησέ μου, μίλησέ μου
δε σε φίλησα ποτέ μου.
Μίλησέ μου, μίλησέ μου,
μόνο στ’όνειρό μου σε φιλώ.

I’m going to tell you a tale
that we learned when we were kids (twice)
Once, there was someone
that left for the wilderness (twice)

And ever since, in the mountains,
he lived on hunting (twice)
And out of hatred for women
he didn’t come down to the village (twice)

About the tale you are telling us
I’m going to tell you a different tale (twice)
Once there was someone
without a home (twice)

For men he had an aversion
and terrible hatred (twice)
But all women,
he loved them, I think (twice)

Για τους άνδρες είχε φρίκη
κι ένα μίσος φοβερό. (δις)
Όμως όλες τις γυναίκες
τις αγάπαγε θαρρώ. (δις)

Don’t break down, my friends
Pride in the heart-
Pride in the heart
Until the clear skies come.

The storm has torn the sails
And to the edge of the cliff
The tear goes like a river
There is darkness in my soul.

Don’t break down, my friends
Pride in the heart-
Pride in the heart
Until the clear skies come.

Hold a sword in your hand
and a flashing knife
So the star may once again come out
In the deep darkness.

(translation: Eva Johanos)

Κράτα στο χέρι σου σπαθί
Κι αστραφτερό μαχαίρι
Nα ξαναβγεί τ’ αστέρι
Μες στο σκοτάδι το βαθύ.