What are the lyrics to this Greek lullaby?

Question

I found this Greek lullaby on You Tube . Can anybody tell me the lyrics?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1j5NRUTKXH4

I know "nani" means "sleep" and "glyka" (I think that's the word they use) means "sweet". It's a very pretty song. Thanks in advance.

Answer 1

Greek Lullaby

Nani nani my child Νάνι νάνι το παιδί μου







Nani nani my child.

Come Sleep make it sleep

and sweetly lull it.

Come Sleep from the vineyards

take my child from the hands.

Take it to the sheepcote

to sleep like a little lamb,

to sleep like a little lamb,

and to wake up like a little goat.

Νάνι νάνι το παιδί μου.

Έλα Ύπνε ύπνωσέ το

και γλυκά ’ποκοίμησέ το.

Έλα Ύπνε από τ’ αμπέλια,

πάρ’ το παιδί μου από τα χέρια.

Πάρ’ το σύρ’ το στα μαντράκια,

να κοιμάται σαν τ’ αρνάκια,

να κοιμάται σαν τ’ αρνάκια,

να ξυπνά σαν τα κατσικάκια.





About Nani nani my child

This lullaby originates from mountainous Kastoria, a Greek city situated in Western Macedonia. Many crops are cultivated in the region which is especially famous for its vineyards, as mentioned in the lullaby. Livestock breeding is also very common there, which explains references to the lamb, goat and sheepcote. Another interesting element here is the use of diminutives, e.g. little sheep, little goat, etc. Diminutives are used in the Greek language to indicate not only smallness but also deep affection.

As in all traditional Greek lullabies its year of origin is unknown as well as the composer and the lullaby’s lyricist.

Answer 2

a translation I used...

Now then sleep, sleep my child.

Sleep and dream my lovely child.

I'll give you the city of Alexandria in sugar;

All of Cairo in rice.

And rich Constantinople.

And there you shall reign for three years.

I think thats it. It might not... but i am hopeful that it is.