CYPRIOT ACADEMY

[The Cypriot]

Ya su, bullin mu, ya su
Good bye, my lovely, good bye
 
Dranda-, gale, drandafillenion babloman.
Drandafillenion babloman brebi su na jimase.
Ya su, bullin mu, ya su.
 
Na su, gale, na su htibun i mirothkies.
Na su htibun i mirothkies j' emenan n' athhimase.
Ya su, bullin mu, ya su.
 
Aspron, gale, aspron drandafillon grado.
Aspron drandafillon grado je bao na do vapso.
Ya su, bullin mu, ya su.
 
J' an do, gale, j' an do bediho stin boyan.
J' an do bediho stin boyan bolles garkies tha gapso.
Ya su, bullin mu, ya su.
 
Astron, gale, astron me d' astron bolema.
Astron me d' astron bolema j' ilios me do fengarin.
Ya su, bullin mu, ya su.
 
J' ospo 'n, gale, j' ospo 'n d' ammathkia m' anihta.
J' ospo 'n d' ammathkia m' anihta bgios allos tha se bari.
Ya su, bullin mu, ya su.
 
Within, my dear, within a rose petal blanket.
Within a rose petal blanket is the way you should slumber.
Good bye, my lovely, good bye.
 
So that, my dear, so that sweet smells do surround you.
So that sweet smells do surround you and it's me you remember.
Good bye, my lovely, good bye.
 
A white, my dear, a white rose have I in my hand.
A white rose have I in my hand, to colour it is my aim.
Good bye, my lovely, good bye.
 
And if, my dear, and if I paint it rather well.
And if I paint it rather well I will cause many hearts pain.
Good bye, my lovely, good bye.
 
A star, my dear, a star fights with another star.
A star fights with another star, the sun fights with the moon too.
Good bye, my lovely, good bye.
 
So long, my dear, so long as my two eyes can see.
So long as my two eyes can see who else is going to wed you. 
Good bye, my lovely, good bye.

[The Cypriot]

Do yasumin
The jasmine

Do yasumin stin bortan su, yasumin mu,
O, j' irta na do gladhepso, o, yavrin mu.
 
J' enomisen i mana su, yasumin mu,
O, bos irta ne se glepso, o, yavrin mu.
 
Do yasumin stin bortan su, yasumin mu,
O, muskoloun i strades, o, yavrin mu.
 
J' i mirothkia du i bolli, yasumin mu,
O, laonni dus thkiavades, o, yavrin mu.

Do yasumin stin bortan su, yasumin mu,
O, athki je fkalli glonus, o, yavrin mu.

Muskolousin da stena, yasumin mu,
O, dus xenus je yidonus, o, yavrin mu.

Do yasumin stin bortan su, yasumin mu,
O, b' athki do galojerin, o, yavrin mu.

Muskoloa je sherunde, yasumin mu,
O, bethki, je nii, je yeri, o, yavrin mu.
 
Do yasumin stin bortan su, yasumin mu,
O, j' allu fakun i gloni, o, yavrin mu.
 
J' emathan do bos s' aghabo, yasumin mu,
O, j' espasan i yidoni, o, yavrin mu.

The jasmine upon your door, jasmine of mine,
O, I came so I could shape it, o, my lovely.

And your mother she did presume, jasmine of mine,
O, that I was going to take it, o, my lovely.

The jasmine upon your door, jasmine of mine,
O, the streets smell so amazing, o, my lovely.

And its aroma is so strong, jasmine of mine,
O, it beguiles all who're passing, o, my lovely.

The jasmine upon your door, jasmine of mine,
O, its stems reach out and grow, o, my lovely.

The narrows smell so sweetly, jasmine of mine,
O, strangers and those we know, o, my lovely.

The jasmine upon your door, jasmine of mine,
O, now summer's taken hold, o, my lovely.

It smells so sweet and all rejoice, jasmine of mine,
O, children and youths and the old, o, my lovely.

The jasmine upon your door, jasmine of mine,
O, and elsewhere the stems did hit, o, my lovely.

And they found out I did love you, jasmine of mine,
O, and the neighbours had a fit, o, my lovely.

[repulsewarrior]

beautiful

[repulsewarrior]

Cypriot, can you tell me about the Greek- Turkish songs sung in the 1880's, called: 'Murmurika(s)', are there songs originating from Cyprus in this genre?

[The Cypriot]

Murmurikas? I'll look into it and get back to you, RW.

[The Cypriot]

Stolisman dis niffis
Dressing up the bride
 
A ya, stoliste din gala din bendablumismenin,
J' abu din esh' i mana dis mes' sta hrisa hosmenin.
 
Simmera lamb' o uranos, simmera lamb' i 'mera,
Simmera stefanonnede ados din beristeran.
 
Simmera mavros uranos, simmera mavri 'mera,
Simmera bohorizede bedhin bu din mideran.
 
A ya, stoliste din gala, san brebi, san derkazi,
Na men eshi dhamesa dha allin na dis imiazi.
 
I mana bu s' eyennisen, hrisi 'dan i garkia dis,
J' egamen gorin omorfin je lamb' i yidonia dis.
 
Mas bernusin din bertigan din bendablumismenin,
J' afinnun mas din yidonian san horan gursemenin.
 
Fonaxede dis manas dis na 'rti na din izosi,
Je na dis dhosi din efchin je na din baradhosi.
 
E din dhame je dhede din, j' an esh' aibin bede.
En san don ilion don hrison din oran bu yenniede.
 
Eshede yan spidaja mu je glini bu 'jimumun,
J' avli mu bu s' esariza je mesa 'thkiajinumun.
 
Mana mu je badera mu, bosheredo sas, ya sas.
Halalin na mu gamede do vizanayoman sas.

Come now and dress her up so fine, this many-splendoured maiden.
Her mother's lavished her with gold, from head to toe she's laden.
 
Today the sky is bright above, today is bright as ever.
Today an eagle and a dove will wear a crown together. 

Today the sky is black above, a black day like no other.
Today the moment has arrived, a child must leave her mother.
 
Come now and dress her up so fine, as is your proper duty.
There must not be another near who can compare in beauty.

The mother who gave birth to you, in her a heart of gold ticked.
She bore a girl of beauty rare who brightened up the district. 

They've come to take our dove away, this many-splendoured maiden.
And now our neighbourhood is left in ruins and forsaken. 

Now call her mother to come here, a band round her waist to tie,
To give a mother's blessing now and bid her daughter goodbye. 

Look, here she is, all marvel her; if there's a flaw then do say.
She's like the golden sun at dawn that welcomes in a new day.
 
Goodbye to you my childhood home, the bed I used to lay in,
The yard I used to sweep and clean, and where I whiled the day in. 
 
Goodbye and may you have good health, dear mother and dear father.
The nurturing you gave to me, I will make sure to honour. 

[The Cypriot]

Can any friends on the forum advise on the most famous two or three traditional songs of Cyprus - in Kibrislica - for a music project that the Cypriot Academy is initiating?

[The Cypriot]

The Cypriot Academy needs some help from Gıbrızlıdja speakers.

Are these traditional Gıbrızlıdja songs – which we are preparing for a forthcoming Cypriot music CD – a fair translation? Do they capture the original flavour and meaning? Are they the most famous?

Any support in correcting/making them scan/rhyme in English would be gratefully received.


Festikan (What is a festikan?)

Sensin benim djanım datlı sevgilim...
Sen gönlümde djihan festikan chicheyim
Gız görünce oynar yüreyım, yar seni göründje oynar yüreyim
Djanımsın festikanımsın, ben ayrılamam...
Yarın datlı dudaaından ayrı galamam...
Festikan ekerkañ yar saksısına...
Usul usul dolandım ben arkasından
Üfleyip püfleyip ben lambasına...
Djanımsın festikanımsın, ben ayrılamam,
Yarın datlı dudaaından ayrı galamam

You are my sweet love, you are my darling
You are my festikan flower
When I see you I become so content,
when I see you I become so content
You are my darling, you are my festikan
from you I cannot be separated
In this world I cannot live without your sweet kiss
While you were sowing Festikan seeds...
I crept up behind you to caress you
I took you into my arms and made you mine
You are my darling, you are my festikan
from you I cannot be separated
In this world I cannot live without your sweet kiss


Dillirga

Dillirga'dan gedjé gechdim suyundan ichtim,
badem gözlü bir yar sevdim,
gendimden gechdim...
Lalalalallalalalalalala

Dillirganın tepeleri denize bakar,
köy gızları sachlarına chichekler dakar..
Lalalalallalalalalalala

Chichek üzüm diyarımsın
nazlı bir yarsın,
mavi dalgalar boyundja
sen uzanırsın
Lalalalallalalalalalala

Travelling one night through Tylliria, I stopped to quench my thirst
and fell in love with a beautiful maiden
Lalalalallalalalalalala

With its cliffs gazing out at sea,
the dames of Tylliria wear flowers in their fair hair...
Lalalalallalalalalalala

You are as sweet as a grape,
you are my ...lover
you are as tall as the waves of the Mediterranean
Lalalalallalalalalalala


Gıbrız
Cyprus

Gıbrız bir adamıdır?
Djennetten parcha mıdır?
Gıbrızın güzel gızı,
yanagları gırmızı
akdenizin yıldızı
Ah Gıbrızım Gıbrızım...
Lefkosha merkezidir
Gıbrızın shéréfidir
Lefko?anın genchleri
Cheler hep gönülleri
Cheliktendir elleri
Ah Gıbrızım, Gıbrızım!
Gıbrızın her gazası
sanki altın parchası
Mãousa hisarları
yeshil Girne daaları
Bafın güzel baaları
Ah Gıbrızım, Gıbrızım!
Gıbrızı ben brakamam
Gurbette yashayamam
Skélé sahiline
Leymosun ishgisine
Gızların sevgisine
Vurgunum ben Gıbrızım

Is Cyprus an island?
Is it a corner of paradise?
With its beautiful rosy cheeked dames
the jewels of the Mediterranean
Oh my Cyprus, my Cyprus!
Nicosia the Capital…
Remains the honour of the island
The youth of Nicosia
The city has stolen their hearts
Their hands as strong as steel
Oh my Cyprus, my Cyprus!
Every corner of Cyprus
Is like a nugget of gold
from the green mountains of Kyrenia
to the beautiful vineyards of Paphos
Oh my Cyprus, my Cyprus!
I can never leave my island
I can never live anywhere else but Cyprus
the beaches of Larnaca
the fine wines of Limassol
the delightful Cypriot dames
I am forever in love with thee Cyprus

[brother]

Wish i could give some advice etc. BUT music is not my strong point unfortunately.

[The Cypriot]

Don't worry, my gardash.

I will keep you posted on developments.

[The Cypriot]

Lottery grant to Cypriot Academy for music CD

The Cypriot Academy, the UK Cypriot cultural organisation, has secured a £10,000 National Lottery grant to produce a traditional Cypriot music CD in the English language.

The CD, to be arranged by the highly-regarded Cypriot composer Harry Coutsavakis, will contain 10 of the most popular songs of Cyprus, as sung originally in the island's traditional vernaculars, 'Gibreiga' and 'Gibrizlija'. Tracks will include favourites such as Vraga (Breeches), The voice of Dillirka (Tilliria region) and Psindri Vasilija/Feslikan (Slender Basil). A fresh musical interpretation will help breathe new life into acknowledged classics, enhancing accessibility to UK Cypriots as well as a wider international audience.

Members of the Cypriot Academy have been painstakingly translating each song to rhyme and scan in English, so as to capture the original flavour and pathos. A number of these translations have already featured in the acclaimed novel 'The Cypriot' and publishers Dexter Haven have kindly given permission for elements of the novel's striking jacket design to be used for the CD cover.

Following in the footsteps of the successful 'UK Cypriot Film Festival', which took place at the end of last year, the ground-breaking music project will bring together UK Cypriot creative talent, as well as non-Cypriots, to demonstrate how people from differing backgrounds can overcome division and acrimony to celebrate and promote a common heritage.

"We're tremendously excited about this project," enthused Olympia, renowned Cypriot music guru who, together with Peter Christiansen, will be auditioning singers and overseeing recordings. "It will show the world what Cypriots can achieve when we work together in a spirit of mutual trust and understanding."

Details of the songs can be found at: http://www.cypriotacademy.com/songs.html

[city]

Congratulations!!!

I am looking forward to purchase the CD once its ready

[The Cypriot]

Two Gibrizlija songs translated into English for forthcoming CD for comment:

Dillirka
(to the tune of Dilirkodissa, the 'eshevere enan astron' song)
Full moon, starry night, I thirsted inside, all roads led to Dillirka.
I drank at the well, it’s there that I fell in love with a girl.
With almond eyes I’m drunk for ever more.

In full majesty, you stare out to sea, oh great cliffs of Dillirka.
In neighbourhoods there, the maids always wear, sweet flowers in their hair.
With almond eyes I’m drunk for ever more.

Our world fell apart, a knife through the heart, the sun set on Dillirka.
An ocean I cry, I pray to the sky, the tears to run dry.
With almond eyes I’m drunk for ever more.

If you could be mine, sweet grape from the vine, I thirst so in Dillirka.
Waves break in the sea, come reach out to me, so we can be free.
With almond eyes I’m drunk for ever more.



Limassol (Leymosun)
(to the tune of Lula mu, marula mu)
Limassol, in the old town,
Narrow alleyways abound.
In the wind her hair blew free,
Wild and wavy like the sea.
So much love I have for her, legends don’t compare.

Limassol, with fruit so sweet,
Where’s the fruit you promised me?
On the narrow streets I stand,
Fragrant daffodils in hand.
So much love I have for her, legends don’t compare.

Always waiting that’s my lot,
Put some coffee in the pot.
Others may not persevere,
Limassol, I’m always here.
So much love I have for her, legends don’t compare.

Just as jasmine’s white and pure,
She’s my sweetheart, I am sure.
All in Limassol will see,
By the summer mine she’ll be.
So much love I have for her, legends don’t compare.

[The Cypriot]

Hi all.

Long time no contact, although I do check in regularly to see what's being discussed.

I wanted to share with you samples of two songs that we've recorded in English, one originally from Gibrizlija lyrics, the other from Gibreiga....

I wondered what people's thoughts were. Please note, neither singers are professionals bu young singers from the Cypriot community in the UK...

http://www.cypriotacademy.com/mp3/Tilliria_sample.mov

http://www.cypriotacademy.com/mp3/Brown_eyes_sample.mov

I'll share more if there's interest....

[Get Real!]