In Greece, many Christmas songs are sung; some are very known all over Greece, and some very specific for every region. However, there is also a song that is internationally known, but of course, in Greece, they sing it with Greek lyrics. Are you ready to learn how to sing « jingle bells » in Greek?

In Greece, children sing the Christmas carols accompanied by their small metal triangles. That is why the following song has the Greek title; “trigona, kalanta”! (« trigono » = triangle and « kalanta » = carol)

Here a video « out of the box », of some years ago! Join our teachers and students and sing along: the «jingle bells”,  with Greek lyrics.

 

If you want to read along, here are the Greek lyrics:  (English translation below)

Τρίγωνα Κάλαντα (Jingle Bells)
Τρίγωνα κάλαντα σκόρπισαν παντού
κάθε σπίτι μια φωλιά του μικρού Χριστού.
Τρίγωνα κάλαντα μέσ’ τη γειτονιά
ήρθαν τα Χριστούγεννα κι η Πρωτοχρονιά.


Άστρο φωτεινό, θα ‘βγει γιορτινό,
μήνυμα να φέρει από τον ουρανό.
Μες στη σιγαλιά ανοίγει η αγκαλιά
και κάνει η αγάπη στη καρδιά φωλιά.


Τρίγωνα κάλαντα στο μικρό χωριό
και χτυπά Χριστούγεννα το καμπαναριό.
Τρίγωνα κάλαντα σκόρπισαν παντού
και μας φέρνουν μήνυμα του μικρού Χριστού.


Τρέχουν τα παιδιά μέσα στο χιονιά,
ήρθαν τα Χριστούγεννα κι η Πρωτοχρονιά.
Μες στη σιγαλιά άνοιξ’ η αγκαλιά
κι έκανε η αγάπη στη καρδιά φωλιά.


Τρίγωνα κάλαντα κέφι και χαρά
ήρθαν τα Χριστούγεννα κι η Πρωτοχρονιά.
Τρίγωνα κάλαντα χρόνια σας πολλά
ήρθαν τα Χριστούγεννα κι η Πρωτοχρονιά.

English Translation

Triangles (=musical instrument) and Carols, everywhere
There is a sweet home for little Christ in every house, hey!
Triangles and Carols in the neighborhood
Christmas and New Year’s are here!

A shining star, with be here to celebrate
and will bring a message from heavens
In silence, arms are wide open for hugging
and love is coming into our hearts

Triangles and Carols, in the small village
and the church bells ring for Christmas, hey!
Triangles and Carols, are everywhere
and they bring us a message from baby Christ

 

However, the best Christmas Carols are sung by children! Early in the morning on 24/12 the children go from door to door, asking “ na ta poume” – Can we sing it?-“. They sing the carol and hope to get a small gift (usually some coins and chocolates or sweets!). Once they have finished their song, children wish “Merry Christmas” and the adults answer “and next year again! , which basically means that they hope they will be blessed and healthy throughout the whole year.

Click here to hear the Christmas song and read the translation.

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If you would like to  learn more about the Christmas and New Year Season in Greece,
Then download our FREE eBook « Celebrate Greek Christmas and New Year, Like A Local »,
including Greek texts, audio, videos and English translations