Popular Greek songs/tunes?

Subject: Popular Greek songs/tunes?
From: Marion
Date: 19 Oct 04 - 03:54 PM

Hi all. I'm interested in learning a few Greek tunes (to play on fiddle) that would be good for busking in a Greek neighbourhood.

I'm not looking for fiddle music necessarily, or for something so ancient and authentic that only folk geeks would recognize it. What I'm looking for is the Greek equivalent of Danny Boy, or Hava Nagila, or This Land is Your Land.

Can anyone suggest any titles?

Thanks, Marion

Subject: RE: Popular Greek songs/tunes?
From: Q (Frank Staplin)
Date: 19 Oct 04 - 04:44 PM

I found one that may be applicable. I couldn't find any in the school song books whose indexes are posted here.
"Saranta Pallicaria",is a patriotic song with music,
about dwellers in the Greek Mountains who aimed to free Greece from the Turks.
I have it in Folk Songs of Europe, ed. Maud Karpeles.
Ten verses, first two:

Forty brave lads are marching out to fight,
To Tripolitza they are bound.
'Tis from Levadia they have marched away
To capture Tripolitza town.

As they were coming down the mountainside,
They met an old man on their way.
Why are you marching with such speed, brave lads,
And whither are you bound, I pray?

Another, very sad, "Dance of Zalongo," about Greek women and their children who danced over a precipice rather than fall victim to the Turks. Also with music, same book.

If there is any interest in these, I will post the words, and give the music to someone who can prepare a midi.

Subject: RE: Popular Greek songs/tunes?
From: George Papavgeris
Date: 19 Oct 04 - 05:11 PM

There is a wonderful website, http://www.greekmidi.com , which has all you want. It has English menus and index as well, and it contains precisely the sort of tunes that all Greeks would recognise. Clearly, some are more popular than others, so if you have a listen and choose a few that you like, PM me and I will tell you which are the most popular of your selection.

George Papavgeris (the site is not mine, the name is a coincidence)

Subject: RE: Popular Greek songs/tunes?
From: Marion
Date: 19 Oct 04 - 05:15 PM

Thanks Q. I don't need any words, as I intend to play the tunes instrumentally. And I probably don't need a midi file either - there are plenty of books and CDs with Greek music in the library - I'm just trying to find out some titles of songs that are well-known and loved.

Cheers, Marion

Subject: RE: Popular Greek songs/tunes?
From: Marion
Date: 19 Oct 04 - 05:31 PM

Thanks for the website, Greko, that does look useful. There are two songs listed as folk, "Pentozalis" and "Samiotisa"; are these songs that everybody knows, or are they obscure?

I use the computer in the library so I can't listen to any of the sound files, but if there are any other titles that you want to suggest, I'll track them down.

Kalimera, Marion

Subject: RE: Popular Greek songs/tunes?
From: George Papavgeris
Date: 19 Oct 04 - 05:51 PM

They are both fine and immediately recognisable by Greeks of all ages, Marion. I would drop Pentozali as too "samey" and with a very short verse. "Samiotissa" is fine.

But I noticed you chose them because of their "folk" designation. In fact, just about all of the tunes on the website are folk, albeit some more recent than others, and many hard to play on fiddle (having been written originally for bouzouki or piano). But some composers would be particularly suitable. I recommend you look at the songs of Bayanteras. "Hatzikyriakio", for example, and "Xekina mia psaropoula" would sound good played with some flair on the fiddle.

If you are looking at other sources, search "Greek island music"; it uses the fiddle more, and is likely to yield some good'uns for you.

Have fun!

George

Subject: RE: Popular Greek songs/tunes?
From: George Papavgeris
Date: 19 Oct 04 - 05:51 PM

I should have said - the Bayanteras tunes date from 1920-1930 or earlier.

Subject: RE: Popular Greek songs/tunes?
From: Q (Frank Staplin)
Date: 19 Oct 04 - 05:52 PM

Looks like a good site, but-. I listened to one midi, but the next one I clicked on froze my computer.
Translations of the Greek lyrics?

Subject: RE: Popular Greek songs/tunes?
From: George Papavgeris
Date: 19 Oct 04 - 05:52 PM

And "perastika" with the tooth...

Me agapi
Giorgos

Subject: RE: Popular Greek songs/tunes?
From: Rasener
Date: 20 Oct 04 - 01:25 AM

Do they know Greek Lightning in Greece George :-)

Subject: RE: Popular Greek songs/tunes?
From: George Papavgeris
Date: 20 Oct 04 - 03:19 AM

It's Durham Lightning there, Les!

Subject: RE: Popular Greek songs/tunes?
From: Roger the Skiffler
Date: 20 Oct 04 - 03:31 AM

Does anyone have the Greek lyrics for White Rose of Athens handy? I keep threatening to learn them to surprise my Greek friends.

RtS

Subject: RE: Popular Greek songs/tunes?
From: George Papavgeris
Date: 20 Oct 04 - 03:58 AM

Here, Roger San sfyrixis tris fores .

The original title (and lyrics) have little to do with white roses of Athens - it's called "When you whistle three times". Written by that prolific and amazing composer of my youth, Manos Hatzidakis.

Subject: RE: Popular Greek songs/tunes?
From: George Papavgeris
Date: 20 Oct 04 - 04:08 AM

And here are the lyrics directly - translation below.

Ìç ìïõ ìéëÜôå ãéá ëéâÜäéá
ìç ìïõ ìéëÜôå ãéá öùôéÝò
ôá ðïõëéÜ ðåôïýí óôá äÜóç
èá ôá ðïôß
èá ôá ðïôßóù ìõãäáëéÝò

Ôé æçôÜò áðü ôï ÷þìá
óáí íá ôï èÝëåé ç âñï÷Þ
ëßãç áãÜðç ãéá ôï óþìá
êáé ëßãï ÷Ü
êáé ëßãï ÷Üäé óôç øõ÷Þ

Óáí óöõñßîåéò ôñåéò öïñÝò
èá ó' áããßîù óôï óêïôÜäé
èá ìå äåéò ìåò óôéò öùôéÝò
óáí óöõñßîåéò ôñåéò öïñÝò

Óáí óöõñßîåéò ôñåéò öïñÝò
èá 'ñèù ôüôå óô' üíåéñï
óïõ èá îõðíÞóåéò ìå öùíÝò
óáí óöõñßîåéò ôñåéò öïñÝò

Don't talk to me about pastures
don't talk to me about fires
the birds fly in the woods
and I will water them (like) almond trees.

What do you ask of the earth,
as if the rain wants it?
A little love for the body
amd a stroke for the soul.

When you whistle three times
I will touch you in the dark
you will see me in the firs
when you whistle three times.

When you whistle three times
then I'll come in your dream
and you'll wake up screaming
when you whistle three times

Subject: RE: Popular Greek songs/tunes?
From: George Papavgeris
Date: 20 Oct 04 - 04:09 AM

Oh, bother, the Greek font looked OK when I put it in. Never mind, you can get it from the web link above.

Subject: RE: Popular Greek songs/tunes?
From: Roger the Skiffler
Date: 20 Oct 04 - 05:08 AM

Efharisto poli, Yorgo,

RtS
(O vlachos anglos)

Subject: RE: Popular Greek songs/tunes?
From: breezy
Date: 20 Oct 04 - 03:08 PM

and its all for me greek, me jolly jolly greek
all for me.......

Subject: RE: Popular Greek songs/tunes?
From: Rasener
Date: 20 Oct 04 - 03:14 PM

Salad and tomatoe

Oive bin w**king all me day
For me jolly jolly pay
and its oh for me greek salad and tomatoe's

RtS
I didn't know you could sing with such a high pitched voice :-)

Is somebody holding your ging gang gooly gooly whatnots
Ging gang gooly ging gang gooley

LOL :-)

Subject: RE: Popular Greek songs/tunes?
From: Roger the Skiffler
Date: 21 Oct 04 - 09:24 AM

Alas, Villan, "tragoutho san vatrakos"*, so assuming, I do learn it, it will be in my usual whining moan in a key unknown to man.

RtS
(*I sing like a frog)

Subject: RE: Popular Greek songs/tunes?
From: Marion
Date: 21 Oct 04 - 01:47 PM

Thanks. I'll look for the songs mentioned.

Marion

Subject: RE: Popular Greek songs/tunes?
From: John in Brisbane
Date: 22 Oct 04 - 08:47 PM

It's been driving me nuts for a week trying to think of the name of the tune 'Miserlou' which is used a lot her for a popular Greek dance.

There's a recent thread HERE. which discusses its origins.

Here's an ABC of the tune:

X: 49
T: Misirlou
C: N.Roubanis 1934
O: Greece
Z: John Chambers http://eddie.mit.edu/~jc/music/
M: 4/4
L: 1/8
K: Gm
|: "D"D3 E ^F2 G2 | A3B ^c2BA | A8- | A8 |
w: 1.~Mi-sir-lou mou i gli-kia sou ma-tia
w: 2.~Mav-ro ma-ta Mi-sir-lou mou tre-lli
| D3E ^F2G2 | A3B ^c2BA | A8- | A8 |
w: Flo-ga m'e-hi~i-na-psi mes tin kar-dia
w: Ti zo-i m'al-la-zo me-na fi-li
| "Gm"BA2B A2G2 | AG2A G2^F2 | "D"^F8- | ^F8 |
w: Ah Ya-ha-bi-bi Ah Ya-le-le-li Ah
w: Ah ya-ha-bi-bi M'e-na fi-la-ki Ah
| "Cm"AG2A G2^F2 | ^FE2F E2DD | "D"D8- | D8 :|
w: ta dio sou hi-li sta-zou-ne me-li i-me
w: Ap-to di-ko sou to sto ma-ta-ki i-me
|: "Gm"G8- | G6 ^FG | "F"A8- | A6 GA | "Bm"B6 AB | "A"^c6 Bc | "D"d8- | d8 |
w: A___________ Mi-sir-lou
| "Cm"e d2 e d2 c2 | d c2 d c2 B2 | "D"A8- | A8 |
w: Tre-lla tha m'er-thi den i-po-fe-ro pia
| "Cm"c B2 c B2 A2 | A G2 A ^F2 E2 | "D"D8- | D8 :|
w: Ah tha si kle-pso mes ap tin A-ra-pia.
P: Coda
|| "Gm"B6 AB | "A"^c6 Bc | "D"d8- | d8- | d8- | d z7 |]
w: Ah___ Mi-sir-lou.

A great tune!

Regards, John

Subject: RE: Popular Greek songs/tunes?
From: John in Brisbane
Date: 23 Oct 04 - 11:46 PM

Verse:

What is that haunting refrain that you hear in the air?
Here and there, ev'ry where,
It's just a beautiful strain that keeps taunting my brain constantly,
It's my melody it's my symphony.
 
Chorus:

InkA DinkDoo, A dinka dee, A dinka doo.
Oh, what a tune for crooning
InkA DinkDoo, A dink a dee, A dinka doo, It's got the whole world spooning.
Eskimo bells up in Iceland, Are ringing,
They've made their own Paradise Land, Singing
InkA DinkDoo, A dinka dee, A dinka doo,
Simply means InkA dinkA dee A dinka doo.

Jim Bottorff's Banjo Page also has a MIDI and lovely chords HERE.

Regards, John

Subject: RE: Popular Greek songs/tunes?
From: John in Brisbane
Date: 23 Oct 04 - 11:49 PM

Whoops, wrong thread - this DOESN'T sound like Greek to me.

Cheerfully, John

Subject: RE: Popular Greek songs/tunes?
From: Marion
Date: 26 Oct 04 - 12:16 PM

Hello again. One more question for El Greko.

A guitar instruction book I already have includes two Greek songs "Yerakina" and "Treeya Pedya Volyotika". Are either of these well known?

Thanks, Marion

Subject: RE: Popular Greek songs/tunes?
From: George Papavgeris
Date: 26 Oct 04 - 06:59 PM

Marion,
Both are traditional folk songs dating from the early/mid 19th century, and both are very well known.

Subject: RE: Popular Greek songs/tunes?
From: Genie
Date: 23 Aug 05 - 02:16 PM

Does anyone have the lyrics - Greek and/or English - to Yerakina (Gerakina) handy?

I kind of know the lyrics the Limelighters sang in English, but I'm not sure I remember them. Plus, the last phrase is in Greek.

Subject: RE: Popular Greek songs/tunes?
From: GUEST,Dan in Nova Scotia
Date: 23 Aug 05 - 10:34 PM

I'm not accustomed to many Greek tunes but I do know El Greco has a constant rotation in our cd player here in Nova Scotia. And if I can ever coax him and some of the folks from Herga to venture forth to Nova Scotia there is always room for them, and if possible, a place to play and somewhere to rest their heads and hearts.

Hopefully we'll see you soon.

Love from Dan and Nancy

Subject: RE: Popular Greek songs/tunes?
From: George Papavgeris
Date: 24 Aug 05 - 05:10 AM

Ya smooth-talkin' soppy booger, Dan - bless you. And you know what - we spent last night with Alaska Mike at home listening to Dan McKinnon's latest. He'd already heard a couple of your songs from the Singing Ref's excellent renditions, and was intrigued. Anyway, we were talking about Stan Rogers, and Mike (who also loves Stan's songs) mentioned that his voice had been compared to Stan's - so I thought I'd introduce him to the voice that Canada uses to commemorate Stan (smug smile here). He's a devoted fan of yours now.

One day...one day, we'll make the trip to Canada and take you up on your kind offer. Meanwhile, our hearts rest with you anyway. Just remember to tell little Daniel Aesop's fables...:-)

Love to both of you from Vanessa and the Fat One.

Subject: Popular Greek songs/tunes? / Gerakina, Miserlou
From: Genie
Date: 24 Aug 05 - 02:50 PM

Just cross-referencing a couple of related threads:

Lyrics & Chords: Miserlou (several language versions)

Lyr Req: Yerakina (Gerakina)

Subject: RE: Popular Greek songs/tunes?
From: Le Scaramouche
Date: 24 Aug 05 - 04:54 PM

I'm pretty sure I've seen some Jewish fiddle tunes from Salonika, will try and post them here if I find the book.

Subject: RE: Popular Greek songs/tunes?
From: Bat Goddess
Date: 25 Aug 05 - 07:41 AM

Does anyone know where I can get a CD of Mikis Theodorakis' "Canto General" (Pablo Neruda) -- the one available on LP (which I have) in the mid-1970s with vocals by Maria Farandouri backed up by the French National Chorus?!?

The only one I can find is a German production which (from the samples I could listen to) I didn't much like.

Linn

Subject: RE: Popular Greek songs/tunes?
From: GUEST,Vivian Kalas
Date: 01 Sep 05 - 10:06 PM

I play in a band in brisbane. We play tunes from Greece, Turkey, middle east , eastern europe. I have a few greek tunes as I play violin as well. We play at the tree monkeys cafe West End every saturday night 8 pm if you want to see us or write to me [e-mail]