(MUSIC VIDEO) SASMOS CYCLE - "THE MOTHER"

With a posting on Nov. 13 we started the project of translating a cycle of music videos composed by Nikos Terzis with lyrics written by Yannis Kotsiras for the Alpha TV series "Sasmos". The first in this series was the song with a theme fitting neatly into the focus of this blog, "Αντρική Καρδιά" ("The Manly Heart") performed by Christos Thevaios (link). Subsequent songs had little bearing, so we posted them exclusively on the site of Lyrics Translate and we will continue to do so. But occasionally we may come across a song that coincides with our philosophical and cultural fields of focus. You may not think it at first glance, but "Η Μάνα" ("The Mother") is another one of those type of songs. 


June 27, 2022 Panikrecordstube: Αντώνης Μαρτσάκης – «Η Μάνα» (OST «Σασμός») - Official Music Video (Antonis Martsakes - "The Mother"). Details in the description. 

It seems to be a song about a son bringing an ode to his beloved mother, but towards the end the lyrics take a different and unexpectedly patriotic turn.

When I showed my friend and advisor the lyrics, his reaction was "it's an explosion of free will". Say no more, that is exactly what we're looking for. So here it is, "The Mother".

Another word on translations. I have now tried my hand at literal translations, translations that consider rhyme and meter, and a more interpretive approach.

Before we know what the purpose of a specific translation ultimately is, it is my opinion that a more literal approach with the sparing use of interpretation, on the whole is the best.

"Η μάνα" and subsequent songs will be translated with that consideration in mind. 

Η μάνα

Ακούστε άστρα του ουρανού 
και γειτονιές τους κόσμου 
η μάνα μου είναι η καρδιά 
το βλέμμα της το βιός μου

Όσο το φίλο της ελιάς 
στον ήλιο θα ασημίζει 
τόσο και εμένα η ψυχή 
να ‘σαι καλά θα ελπίζει

Ο ήλιος είσαι μάνα μου 
με το φεγγάρι αντάμα 
κι όταν γελάς ενώνονται 
το γέλιο και το κλάμα. 

Αν φύγει κι θα κάθομαι 
το χώμα να κοιτάζω 
κι όσο το γάλα που έβγαλες 
το δάκρυα που θα στάζω

Μην πόνεσα, μην έκλαψα 
ποια χέρια μ’ αγκαλιάζουν 
ποια χείλη τώρα με φιλούν 
τα όσα ζω σε νοιάζουν

Όσο βαρούν τα πόδια μου 
στο χώμα αυτού του τόπου 
πως μου ‘μαθες θα πολεμώ 
στη λευτεριά του ανθρώπου

Ο ήλιος είσαι μάνα μου 
με το φεγγάρι αντάμα 
κι όταν γελάς ενώνονται 
το γέλιο και το κλάμα

Αν φύγει κι θα κάθομαι 
το χώμα να κοιτάζω 
κι όσο το γάλα που έβγαλες 
το δάκρυα που θα στάζω

Ο ήλιος είσαι μάνα μου 
με το φεγγάρι αντάμα 
κι όταν γελάς ενώνονται 
το γέλιο και το κλάμα. 

Πως είναι η Κρήτη μάνα μου 
όμορφα στολισμένη έτσι 
και η γη όπου πατώ 
θα ‘σαι και ευλογημένη

The mother

Listen, stars in the sky
and neighbors of the world
my mother is the heart
her glance is my life

However much I love olive trees
in the sunshine they are silver
like my mind
You are well I hope

My mother is the sun
and the moon combined
and when you laugh
laugh and cry are joined

When that fades and I sit down
to look at the soil
as much milk as you may draw
I let a teardrop fall

I did not hurt, I did not cry
which hands held me
whose lips are kissing me now
you care whatever happens to me

However heavy my feet are
from the soil of this place
you taught me to fight
for the freedom of man

My mother is the sun
with the moon combined
and when you laugh
the laugh and cry are joined

When it fades and I sit down
to look at the soil
as much milk as you may draw
I let a teardrop fall

My mother is the sun
with the moon combined
and when you laugh
the laugh and cry are joint

Crete is my mother
so beautifully dressed
and the earth wherever I tread
you will be also blessed

So there it is, "The Mother", with her shooting a bottle to pieces at the words "you taught me to fight for the freedom of man". Perfection! 


YouTube Playlist.

For an introduction, notes, the genesis of the cycle and links to watch episodes of Sasmos, check the link list.

- More Greek-English lyrics - 

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