The translation was kindly furnished by Mr. E. A. Gardner, Director of the British School at Athens:—
Τραγοῦδι ᾀδομενον ἐν Κερκύρᾳ κατὰ την πρωτομαγιά (1)
Song sung in Corfu on the first of May,
κι’ἄν ἤμαι μὲ τὸν ὁρισμὸ νὰ ῎ ποῦμε καὶ τὸ Μάη.
If it is with your leave let us sing (of) the May.
1. Μπρέ ἐμπῆκε ὁ Μάης—ἐμπῆκε ὁ Μάης—ἐμπῆκε ὁ Μάης καὶ ὁ μῆνας.
Lo, May has come—May has come—May has come, and the month.
2. Ὁ Μάης μὲ τὰ τριαντάφυλλα καὶ ὁ Απρίλης μὲ τὰ ῥόδα
May with the roses and April with the roses.
3. ’Απρίλ—Απρίλ ἀφόρετε, Μάη μον κανακάρη
April—April fresh and fair, May my darling,
4. ’Π ὄλο τό κὸσμο γιόμιδες τ’ ἄνθη καὶ τὸ λουλοῦδι
All over the world thou givest abundance of flowers and blossoms,
5. Κ’ ἐμένα περικύκλωσες τσῆ κὀρης τῆς ἀγκάλαις
And me thou enfoldest in the arms of my maiden.
6. Λουλουδισέ μον λιγυρὴ, λουλουδισέ μον κὀρη,
My slender girl has blossomed forth, has blossomed,
7. Νὰ ’παναδώσω τὸ φιλὶ μπρὶν βρεξῃ, μπρὶν χιονἰσῃ,
Let me give back her kiss before it rains, before it snows,
8. Μπρίν κατεβάσῃ ὁ οὐρανὸς καὶ σύρουν τὰ ποτάμια.
Before the heavens are opened and the rivers come down.
9. Καὶ δὼ ποῦ τραγουδήσαμε πέτρα νά μὴ ραϊσῃ,
And where we have sung may the rock not split,
Καῖ ὁ νοικοκύρης το῀θ σπητιοῦ πολλοὺς χρονοὺσ ωὰ ζήσῃ.
And may the master of the house Jive many years.
10. Νὰ ζήσῃ χρὀνους ἐκατὸ καὶ ωὰ τοὺς ἀπεράσῃ,
May he live a hundred years and pass them,
Καὶ τῶν παιδιῶνε τοῆ χαραῖς κουφέτα νὰ μοιράσῃ,
And may he scatter sweatmeats for the pleasure of his children,
11. Ὄχι κουφέτα μοναχὰ μονὲ καὶ λεφτο κάρυα.
Not only sweatmeats, but also (hazel) nuts.
12. Κι’ ἄνοιξε τὸ μπουκάκι σου τὸ μαργαριτρέγνιο
Open your pearly box
13. Καὶ βάλε τὸ χεράκι σου ὡς τό ’χεις μαθημένο
And put your hand, as you have learnt,
14. Κι’ ἄν ἔχῃς γρόσσια δός μας τα, κι’ ἄν ἔχῃς καὶ παράδες
If you have pennies give us them, and if you have farthings,
15. Κι’ ἄν ἔχῃς καὶ γλυκό κρασί, βγάλε νὰ μᾶσ κεράσῃς.
And if you have sweet wine, bring it forth and pour it out for us.
16. Πολλά ’παμε τοῦ ἀφέστη μας, νά ’ποιμ’ καὶ της κυρᾶς μασ
We have said much to milord, let us say something to milady also.
17. Κυρὰ χρυσὴ κυρὰ ἀργυρὴ—κυρὰ μαλαματέγνια,
Golden lady, silver lady—lady (all) golden,
18. Ποῦ σὲ χτενίζῃ ὁ ἔρωτας μὲ τὰ χρυσὰ τὰ χτέγνια,
Whom love combs with his golden comb,
