Posted February 19, 2006 · Report post I can't believe we never had this one in the translations, actually I distincly remember talking asking it with when I first heard it, asking if the fishes and birds were supposed to be in love with each other or what, and Nikolas explaining where Xanthi and Komotini are, and my delight with the word "αχινος" which I never forgot again. But the search engine can't find it anywhere, so here is a fresh translation. Καράβια στη στεριά _____||_____ Ships ashore Μουσική: Μίνωας Μάτσας_____||_____ Music: Minos Matsas Στίχοι: Μιχάλης Γκανάς_____||_____ Lyrics: Michalis Ganas Καράβια βγήκαν στη στεριά_____||_____ Ships have come up onto the shore και πιάσανε τα όρη_____||_____ and reached the mountains ποιος είδε βάρκα στο Χελμό_____||_____ Who's seen a bark on the Chelmo στο Μέτσοβο βαπόρι_____||_____ a steamer up in Metsovo? Ποιος είδε νύχτα με δυο φεγγάρια_____||_____ Who's seen a night with two moons ποιος είδε ήλιο σαν αχινό_____||_____ who's seen a sun like a sea-urchin κι ερωτευμένα πουλιά και ψάρια_____||_____ and birds and fishes in love να κολυμπάνε στον ουρανό_____||_____ swimming in the sky? Καράβια βγήκαν στη στεριά_____||_____ Ships have come up onto the shore και χάθηκαν στο χιόνι_____||_____ and got lost in the snow κι αυτός που τα ονειρεύτηκε_____||_____ and the one who dreamed them up τα περιμένει ακόμη_____||_____ is still waiting for them Ποιος είδε φάρο στον Ψηλορείτη_____||_____ Who's seen a fish in Psiloreitis στην Ελασσόνα λευκό πανί_____||_____ a white sail in Elassona κι ένα καράβι από την Κρήτη_____||_____ and a ship from Crete να πιάνει Ξάνθη Κομοτηνή_____||_____ reaching Xanthi - Komotini? Ποιος είδε νύχτα με δυο φεγγάρια_____||_____ Who's seen a night with two moons ποιος είδε ήλιο σαν αχινό_____||_____ who's seen a sun like a sea-urchin κι ερωτευμένα πουλιά και ψάρια_____||_____ and birds and fishes in love να κολυμπάνε στον ουρανό_____||_____ swimming in the sky? * Chelmos: mountain range in Achaia, on Peloponnesus; it's also called Aroania. * Metsovo: mountain village in Eipiros, in the Ioannena district, by the (in)famous mountain pass called "Katara" (curse) which is the main thoroughfare from the port of Igoumenitsa to that of Thessaloniki. I remember Nikolas warning me against it when I first drove to Greece and had to pass it... and now I'm going out to smoke a cigarette and remember its amazing beauty before finishing the translation. * Psiloreitis: the tallest mountain range of Crete, also called Mount Ida. * Xanthi and Komotini: two towns in Thrace, in the foothills of the Eastern Rodopi mountain range, separated from the sea by a low-lying fertile alluvial plain. studio version: http://www.dalaras.com/diskoi/albums/o_mag...s_ths_polhs.htm live: http://www.dalaras.com/diskoi/albums/zwnta...n_iera_odo2.htm 1 person likes this Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Posted June 24, 2013 · Report post I'm bringing up this old topic! Thanks @ Geske for the translation. I've been listening to this song again on and off for the last couple of weeks. The lyrics had me wondering though... As I know there are often a lot of layers of meanings in Greek song lyrics, does anyone know what it is really about? Is it about a man's love for the sea and it's ships? Or about not really knowing Greece if you haven't experienced it like it says? Or any other ideas? Love, Lisanne 1 person likes this Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Posted June 25, 2013 · Report post Hello Lisanne!! Welcome to this forum!! To my way of thinking, this song is an allegory. Τhe places that the lyrics mention really exist in Greece, but the meaning does not correspond with reality. That is to say, a ship cannot reach Xanthi or Komotini, because they do not have a port! They are not even close to the sea!! Metsovo is a village at a mountain which is called Katara! (Curse). Thus, the lyrics of this song are related to the impossible, something that cannot be achieved irrespective of the human efforts. Perhaps, it is a dream we want to come true or a fairytale!! Of course, Ganas uses the greek summer beauty in order to achieve this but i do not think that this is the meaning. Nevertheless, the song is very funny and optimistic since it transmits positive feelings. It says: doesn't matter if some things in life are impossible, we will keep keep dreaming because miracles can happen!! (This song is very popular in dalaras' concerts but I haven't ever thought about the meaning of the lyrics. Οnly the enchanting songs can do this!) 3 people like this Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Posted June 25, 2013 · Report post Hi there! I got the part about the cities already (the map of Greece is somewhat in my head ), but that was kind of my point about the lyrics: it being of course impossible, but if one would truly know, understand and have experienced Greece to it's extend, one would feel like they are possible (in imagination, dreams or feelings). Or something along those lines. But I like your explanation as well! It's kind of similar to mine, isn't it? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Posted June 25, 2013 · Report post I suggest that you should visit Greece this summer ( if you have not already visited it ) in order to have your own experience. I don't know if dreams here are fulfilled but in Greece you can see a night with two moons (the fantastic dawns in clear sky while it is still night with full moon). And, of course, when you are in love, you can swim in the sky, why not? 1 person likes this Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Posted June 25, 2013 · Report post I have actually, but the last time was more than 10 years ago. Way too long, but I can't afford it as money has been very tight the last years. However, I remember the places I visited very clearly and would love to go back someday! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites