Folk Songs

2024-2025: A Year of Georgian & Romanian Folk Songs

In keeping with our history of linking to folk songs from traditionally Orthodox countries, this year we turn to Georgia and Romania. We would love to hear from you (via the link at the bottom of the website) if you are a speaker of these languages and could tell us more about these beautiful folk songs.

September: Imereti Niavo (Breeze of Imereti - Georgian)
October: Mravalzhamier (Long May You Live - Georgian)
November: Trei păstori (Three Shepherds - Romanian)
December: Sus, la poarta Raiului (Up at the Gate of Heaven - Romanian)
January: Alunelu (To Dance - Romanian)
February: Cucule, pasăre sură (Cuckoo, Sister Bird - Romanian)
March: Vine vine primăvara (Spring is Coming - Romanian)
April: Hristos a înviat (Christ is Risen - Romanian)*
May: Oac Oac Diri Diri Dam (Croak, Croak, Diri Diri Dam - Romanian)

*We realize this is a hymn rather than a folk song, but if you don't know it in Romanian, what better opportunity to learn?

2023-2024: A Year of Greek Folk Songs

Greek folk songs embody the Orthodox faith, culture, geography, and are always performed with kefi, the zest for life. Kalanta, carols, are not only for Christmas, but also for the New Year, Theophany, Lazarus, and Pascha! Different regions have distinctive melodies, rhythms, and instruments, accompanied by a long tradition of folk dancing.

We've tried to incorporate a wide variety of traditional tragoudia (songs), kalanta, and Orthodox songs, along with videos showing the scenery of Greece, her celebration of feastdays, and traditional instruments.

September: Bright Moon, Feggaraki mou Lambro

October: Joy to the Eyes, Hara Sta Matia

November: Yianni mou to Mandili sou

December: Kalanta for Christmas 

January: Kalanta for the New Year

February: The Sparrow, O Spinos

March: Mana Mou Ta Kleftopoula 

April: Today Christ is Risen, Simera Christos Anesti  (or switch with May if Pascha is late)

May: The Seaside, Gialo, Gialo

June: The Wedding Song, To Tragoudi tou Gamou

July: The Colors, Ta Chromata

August: A Boat from Chios, Ena Karavi Apo ti Chio

A note about phonetics

a is always as in "wash"

ch in the back of the throat like in "challah" (sometimes transliterated simply as h)

d is always a hard th as in "than"

e as a short e as in "egg", including after a single vowel and consonant, thus: "fores" pronouned "fo - res"

ei  as a long e

i as a long e

o similar to o in "off"

ou as oo as in "booth"

r is lightly rolled or flipped

th is always soft as in "thin"

But, no matter how you say it, enjoy the music and sing along!

2024-2025