| M a n t i n a d e s |
| This is an attempt to translate some of the "Mantinades" into English. "Mantinades" are small lyric verses that come from the heart. The rugged Cretan with his rough countenance is in reality, a romantic figure. He has deep insight of nature, of human emotions, love, pain and agony. The Cretan is a poet. His poetry can be very passionate, very realistic, very "human" to the point that we may call him an excellent psychologist. This kind of poetry is the one that plucks the strings of the human heart and makes it sing, laugh or cry. The Cretan is a great philosopher. Many years ago, I was talking to an old Cretan in a village, and I was telling him about man wanting to set foot on the moon. He turned around and said to me: "We have enough troubles here on earth, as it is. Methinks that we will make a mess in the moon also, and God will be mad at us !!!" I smiled, and thought that in two sentences he summed up earth and space, humanity and God. Although it is impossible to bring out the emotions and feelings these lyrics convey, I will try to translate to the best of my ability these wonderful, refreshing lyrics, hoping that you will be able to see in them heart of the Cretan. |
| FOR EYES |
When God created my love It was under moonlight, This is why her eyes now Reflect the twilight. or When God created my love It was during sunrise, This is why her eyes now are shining so bright. And if the sun perchance forgets to rise one day, Your glance would be bright enough To brighten the day. Your eyes, blue like the sea, Blue/gray, rough like her A surely good sailor must be He who would travel there. |
| SEPARATION |
A separation or a death are both worth the same, only at separation you do not have a grave. Living afar estranged from you Methinks I have died But still alive I burn in a lost love's fire. When she told me we are through I wanted surely die, My heart could not endure Of such a loss of mine. I need to find a medicine When I go to bed to take, So my mind fast asleep. your thought will forsake. Days and nights I war Away from you to stay But Love, I can endure no more The strife and the pain. You leave and I hold my tears So sadness you won't see I want to shed them - what a joy - when with me again you'll be! Methinks it will be easier The sea to empty with a glass, Throw it over all the land, Than to forget you, my love. Is it not pity and unjust Is not a great sin, One to have a burning heart The other one just apathy? The place where God put heart to beat on other people my dear Has been replaced by a stone In you and you cannot feel. |
| LOVE |
Love 's like a tornado Torments you right through And then goes out in a poof And desolate leaves you. To know to love is science To know to love is grace To hurt a heart is horrible, Injustice takes place. I had a cardiogram done The doctor was left in wonder The lines on the paper Your face drew all over. I send my thoughts to warm you up Now that I'm away Since my arms cannot be close To you my love today So if you feel this warmth, it's me, And my thoughts are there With you my love for ever more, Our love this night to share. Scorched by the fire of love There is no healing there, But if perchance there will be, The scars 're too large to bear. The sides of the gorge are far apart But longing is in their mind, An earthquake they long To put them side by side. O Love, become a creek To fall in there tonight To cool my body and my soul The fire in my mind. He who loves, always hurts Always he is sick He's allways dying But never ever is he dead, Love's pain is sweet |
If you are shipwrecked in the sea Many more are your chances, Than being shipwrecked on the land Survival has slim chances. Shipwrecks on land are dangerous You may sink and drown At any moment, any sec Life's problems 'll get you down. If you want to make you life To bloom like a flower Sing every morning from the heart When you are in the....shower! A truce with wine and rakiz I will never make Let all cholesterol and such My body overtake! |
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| For more Mantinades in Greek, click below |
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| LIFE |