Manolis Mitsias

I love a goldfinch
on a green branch
They call her Katerina
and she doesn’t want to see you

She does little things, little things, little things to spite me,
the child;
Playful teasing games, little games, little games
in other words
I love a goldfinch
and she doesn’t want to see me.

I love a goldfinch
but I haven’t played it well.
Since last month
it has got me in trouble

She does little things, little things, little things to spite me,
the child;
Playful teasing games, little games, little games
in other words
Katerina, Katerina
you have got me in trouble

I love a goldfinch
on the balcony of the priest
They call her Katerina
but I don’t know if she loves me

She does little things, little things, little things to spite me,
the child;
Playful teasing games, little games, little games
in other words
I love a goldfinch
but I don’t know if she loves me

(translation: Eva Johanos)

Κάνει πείσματα, κάνει πείσματα, κάνει πείσματα
το παιδί
Παιγνιδίσματα, παιγνιδίσματα, παιγνιδίσματα
δηλαδή
Αγαπώ μια καρδερίνα
μα δεν ξέρω αν μ’αγαπά

Moon, you put a spell on me
and I walk in foreign lands
the house is an orphan
unsupported the dusk
and the mountains have been crying
Send my sky a bird
to take patience to the mother

Send my sky a bird
a little swallow
to go and build its nest
in the garden in the plum-tree
next to the little balcony
Send my sky a bird
to take patience to the mother

To take patience to the mother
tied up in a the kerchief
a dowry to my little sister
and to the daughter of my neighbor
a sweet kiss on the lips

(translation: Eva Johanos)

Να πάει στη μάνα υπομονή
δεμένη στο μαντίλι
προικιά στην αδερφούλα μου
και στη γειτονοπούλα μου
γλυκό φιλί στα χείλη

Στραβά το καπελάκι μου
στο χέρι κομπολόι
μετρώ τα σκαλοπάτια σου
κι η έγνοια σου με τρώει.
Μα πριν με διώξεις, άκαρδη
θερμά παρακαλώ σε
περκάλι βενετσάνικο
να κοιμηθούμε στρώσε.