Stamatis Kokotas

One noon
in the region of the Acropolis
merciless thieves
made the warm stones
into a hideout

In Monastiraki
Bavarian constables
under the sun’s glare, dance in front of the king
the Syrtaki

To Crete and to Mani
we’re going to send a message
to cities and villages
we’re going to send a message
for policemen to come
to chase away the beasts.

Down at the port
the policemen sing
the guys have come
but their hearts are still
in Mani

On Tuesday came
the guys from Psiloritis
they drink tsikoudia, but their hearts are still
in Crete

To Crete and to Mani
we sent a message
to cities and villages
we sent a message
and the policemen came
and chased away all the beasts.

Στην Κρήτη και στη Μάνη
εστείλαμε φιρμάνι
σε πολιτείες και χωριά
εστείλαμε φιρμάνι
κι ήρθαν οι πολιτσμάνοι
και διώξαν όλα τα θεριά.

I heard the story of a drunk
in a harbor, in a faraway country
however I forgot it at the first opportunity
because I didn’t believe it was true

He had told me why men cry
why they get drunk alone every night
why they burn their innards with death
why their tears flow like rain

How great for me was the punishment
when I too loved a young girl
then I remembered this story
then I understood the words of the drunk

He had told me why men cry
why they get drunk alone every night
why they burn their innards with death
why their tears flow like rain

(translation: Eva Johanos)

Μου είχε πει γιατί οι άντρες κλαίνε
γιατί μεθάνε κάθε βράδυ μοναχοί
γιατί με θάνατο τα σωθικά τους καίνε
γιατί τα δάκρυα κυλάνε σαν βροχή

Φύγε λοιπόν και μη κοιτάς
το δάκρυ μου που τρέχει
μα πάρε την ανάσα μου
Έξω φυσάει και βρέχει

You took the big road
to go abroad
you left with me
the wound

You took the big road
a road without end
the tear became
a wide sea

Now they are knocking on my door
north winds and winters
but the loving hearts
always stay alone

You took the big road
and the path
How can I close my eyes
How can I sleep

You took the big road
and I remain alone
what can I wait for
what can I watch for

(translation: Eva Johanos)

Πήρες τον μεγάλο δρόμο
και μονάχος μένω
τι να περιμένω
τι να καρτερώ.