Τζιβαέρι (Traditional Greek song of immigration) Please scroll down for English translation and accompanying video.
Αχ! Η ξενιτειά το χαίρεται
Τζιβαέρι μου
Το μοσχολούλουδο μου
σιγανά και ταπεινά
Αχ! Εγώ ήμουνα που το ‘στειλα
Τζιβαέρι μου
Με θέλημα δικό μου
σιγανά πατώ στη γη
Αχ! Πανάθεμά σε ξενιτειά
Τζιβαέρι μου
Εσέ και το καλό σου
σιγανά και ταπεινά
Αχ! Που πήρες το παιδάκι μου
Τζιβαέρι μου
και το ‘κανες δικό σου
σιγανά πατώ στη γη
English translation
Tzivaeri (Jewel)
Ah! Foreign lands delight in her
My Tzivaeri
My beautiful, sweet-smelling flower
Softly and humbly
Ah! I was the one who sent her there
My Tzivaeri
As I wished it so
Softly do I walk upon on the earth
Ah! Damn you, foreign lands
My Tzivaeri
You and your goodness too
Softly and humbly
Ah! That you took my little child
My Tzivaeri
And made her yours
Softly do I walk upon the earth
(rush translation by Vazambam)
Probably the most popular (and perhaps the most poignant) traditional Greek song dealing with the theme of immigration; in this impromptu video recorded during a rehearsal last summer in Tacoma, Washington, our daughter Efiniki is accompanied by The Makedonians.
Tzivaeri--a surprise, name day gift post for our spirited jewel of a daughter, who celebrates her name(s) twice a year—one on January 20th as Efi=Efthimia and the other on December 6th as Niki=Nicholas—what a winning combination! My thanks to the unknown artist who recorded the video but who unfortunately captured my tzivaeri singing only the last two stanzas. No matter. For someone so far away from a loved one, this video is definitely sweet, poignant music.
Afterword: For those in the vicinity of Tacoma, you can hear The Makedonians and Efiniki this coming Saturday, January 23, here. Check it out and don't forget to shout "Ohpa, manges!"
What a beautiful daughter you have, Vassili!! You must be so proud.
ReplyDeleteThanks for posting the original Greek, too!
I can't make the video work here Vassilis. It may be my computer. Maybe others have trouble, too.
ReplyDeleteI'm disappointed I'd love to see and hear your daughter if only for the last two stanzas. Can you please send it to me in an email? Otherwise I shall settle for your rough translation. Thank you.
Hmm. True, the screen is black now and the button unresponsive. But yesterday, both times I watched and listened, it worked perfectly. And what a delight it was.
ReplyDeleteAnnie and William,
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you both got to hear and see Efiniki and disappointed that Elisabeth couldn't; I've been trying to upload again all afternoon and nothing is happening. I'll keep trying. In the meantime, thanks for the good words!
I am part Greek and live in Sedona Az. I had the opportunity to see the Makedonians in Tacoma when I was away from home at school in Washington. I first heard this song "the Jewel" from them. It has such a special meaning to me because of my Grandfather.
ReplyDeleteMy grandfather came from Greece when he was 17 in 1906. He was never able to go back, married my Mexican Grandmother and settled in New Mexico. Several years after his death, I was able to travel to the Peloponnese and meet my Greek relatives . They told me stories about Bill, my Grandfather, and who sent food and support to his family in Greece during World II.
Judy Jarvis-Corcoran
Dear Judy,
ReplyDeleteGood to hear this post and song struck such a familiar and poignant chord.
Beautiful. Wish there was more Makedonians material online!
ReplyDelete