ψαροπούλα

[SBE]

Theseus, I supplied a link in a previous post. It was for this one, which has a small record jump (nothing major).

I find that most covers, especially recent ones, make it sound like a revolutionary anthem. It is very easy to fall into that trap, because of the theme of the song, whereas Vembo is singing it like the emotionally charged song it is. It is after all about the concerns of those who are waiting for the soldiers' return so it is relevant to any conflict.
Other wartime songs are more lightweight. Some, like this one have very clever rhyme for example στέλνει ο νέος Ναπολέων/ μεραρχίες πειναλέων. PS the tune is from one of the mock-traditional songs that I mentioned earlier.

 

[Theseus]

Sorry, SBE: I remember it now. In fact, I confused παιδιά της Ελλάδος with Η Ελλάδα ποτέ δεν πεθαίνει.

Των εχθρών τα φουσάτα περάσαν
σαν το Λίβα που καίει τα σπαρτά
με κανόνια τις πόλεις χαλάσαν
μας ανάψαν φωτιές στα χωριά
Μα οι εχθροί μας πια τώρα σκορπίσαν
και ξανάρθε για μας λευτεριά,
για να φτιάξουμε τα όσα γκρεμίσαν
ας κοιτάξουμε τώρα μπροστά


Η Ελλάδα ποτέ δεν πεθαίνει
δεν τη σκιάζει φοβέρα καμιά
μόνο λίγο καιρό ξαποσταίνει
και ξανά προς τη δόξα τραβά (τραβά, τραβά)
και ξανά προς τη δόξα τραβά

Νέα δύναμη το έθνος θα πάρει
σαν και πριν να βαδίσουμε εμπρός
κι ο καινούργιος στρατός με καμάρι
θα σταθεί των συνόρων φρουρός
Όλη ορθή μες στον ήλιο προβάλει
και ψηλά το κεφάλι κρατεί
μια πατρίδα πολύ πιο μεγάλη,
μια πατρίδα πολύ πιο τρανή

The ravaging bands of the enemies passed
like the hot wind from Libya that burns the crops;
they destroyed the cities with their cannons
and torched our villages--
But our enemies now have scattered
and freedom is here again
so now we can build everything they ruined
let's look forward now!

Greece never dies
no fright casts its shadow over her
She just rests to take breath for a while
and then strains again to glory
and then strains again to glory.

The people will take new strength
and we will move forward like before
and our new army, proud
will stand guard at the borders
Standing forward in the the sun
with her head held high
a country much stronger
a country much more mighty.

 

[Theseus]

In the above song βάζει ο Ντούτσε τη στολή του, which I've produced a tolerable version of but now am refraining from boring very tolerant colleagues with, can someone explain why Αέρα! became a war cry? There must be some reason. I know it comes from the Greco-Italian War and is said to have been first used in the Albanian mountains. It might sound to the Italians like "a guerra!" [now there's the start of an urban myth!]:):)

 

[SBE]

Οr it might sound like hurrah.

 

[daeman]

...
As usual, we have a thread for that, too: Η πολεμική ιαχή "Αέρα!"