As you all know, in Greece there are so many wonderful songs, singers, songwriters and composers. This time, we chose for you a beautiful, traditional love song from Crete. Listen to this sweet song and the sound of the Cretan lyre!
Under the video, you will find the Greek Lyrics as well as the English translation. Maybe you can sing along… Enjoy!
ABOUT THE GREEK SONG
Touto to mina (Mavra mou matia) is a traditional love song from Crete, expressing longing, desire, and deep emotional devotion.
Those themes that lie at the heart of Cretan folk poetry (and not only in Crete :-))
The lyrics are anonymous and passed down orally through generations, as is common in Greek traditional music.
The song uses imagery typical of Cretan verse.
One of its symbols is the eagle, which does not hunt animals but instead searches for “two beloved black eyes”.
In Greek folk tradition, black eyes often symbolize intense beauty, passion, and emotional depth.
The modern interpretation by Vasilis Skoulas and Manolis Lidakis brings together two iconic voices of Greek music.
Skoulas represents the authentic Cretan vocal style, while Lidakis adds lyrical sensitivity and emotional warmth.
Together, they bridge tradition and contemporary expression. So it also allows that this old love song speaks also to modern listeners.
Click on the video to listen, and read below the lyrics
| Τούτο το μήνα ( Μαύρα μου μάτια)
Στίχοι: Παραδοσιακό Μουσική: Κώστας Βερδινάκης Ερμηνευτές: Β. Σκουλάς – Μ. Λιδάκης
Τούτο το μήνα, τον από πάνω τον από πάνω, τον παραπάνω αϊτός εβγήκε να κυνηγήσει να κυνηγήσει και να γυρίσει. Δεν εκυνήγα λαγούς και λάφια μόν’ εκυνήγα δυο μαύρα μάτια μαύρα μου μάτια κι αγαπημένα και πώς περνάτε χωρίς εμένα; Μαύρα μου μάτια, κόκκινα χείλη έβγα, μικρή μου, στο παραθύρι να δεις τον ήλιο και το φεγγάρι να δεις το νέο που θα σε πάρει. Γαϊτάνι πλέκω και δεν αδειάζω δεν μου βολεί να κουβεντιάζω ανάθεμά το και το γαϊτάνι κι απού το πλέκει κι απού το φάνει. |
This month (My black eyes)
Lyrics: Traditional Music: Κώστας Βερδινάκης Performers: Β. Σκουλάς – Μ. Λιδάκης
This month, next month next month and the month after that an eagle went out hunting hunting and then going back. He was not hunting hares or deer he was only hunting two black eyes my beloved black eyes how do you manage without me? My black eyes, red lips come, my little beloved, to the window to see the sun and the moon and the young man who will marry you. I am not in the mood to talk damn that gimp and the one knitting it, and the one weaving it. |
NOTE
το γαϊτάνι –> « gaitani/gimp » = traditional, craftily knitted lace, decorating the ends of sleeves and dresses.
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Also in the mood to learn a Cretan dance?
Take a look here
Did you like this song, and in the mood to learn more about Greek music,
including;
information about the music genre,
composers, singers,
Greek songs with English translations,
and extra Greek exercises to improve your Greek?
Then take a look at the following eBooks, all made by the Omilo-team.
