Μανακι μου - "My little one"
Μανακι μου - Γιαννης Κοτσιρας, Eστουδιαντινας Νεας Ιωνιας. (Manaki mou - Yannis Kotsiras, Estoudiantinas Neas Ionias). Details.
Μανάκι μου
Μανάκι μου, μανάκι μου
μανάκι μου, μανάκι μου
μανάκι μου, μανάκι μου
πονεί το κεφαλάκι μου
Μανάκι μου και βρε και βρε
μανάκι μου και βρε και βρε
μανάκι μου και βρε και βρε
που θα ’βρεις μάγκα σαν κι εμέ
Τι με κοιτάς νταήδικα
Τι με κοιτάς νταήδικα
Τι με κοιτάς νταήδικα
Θαρρείς πώς σε φοβήθηκα
Εκεί που πας, μην ξαναπάς
εκεί που πας μην ξαναπάς
εκεί πού πας μην ξαναπάς
το κεφαλάκι σου θα φας
Έχασα τη μαντύα μου
έχασα τη μαντύα μου
έχασα τη μαντύα μου
απ’ την απροσεξία μου
Κυρ-αστυνόμε, μη βαράς
κυρ-αστυνόμε, μη βαράς
κυρ-αστυνόμε, μη βαράς
δεν φταίω ’γώ ο φουκαράς
Άγιε μου Γιώργη γείτονα
Άγιε μου Γιώργη γείτονα
Άγιε μου Γιώργη γείτονα
να μ’ έπαιρνες να γλίτωνα
Σαν θέλεις λίρες και φλουριά
σαν θέλεις λίρες και φλουριά
σαν θέλεις λίρες και φλουριά
έλα μαζί μου μια βραδιά
Αν δεν σε πάρω ως την αυγή
αν δεν σε πάρω ως την αυγή
αν δεν σε πάρω ως την αυγή
ο ναργιλές μου να καεί
Μανάκι μου, μανάκι μου
μανάκι μου, μανάκι μου
μανάκι μου, μανάκι μου
και τής καρδιάς μεράκι μου
To start with a translator's note about this traditional Greek song. It's lyrics are in dispute.
The Greek version of Wikipedia (link) provides an explanation for the word "μανάκι" (manaki or manakolia) as an olive variety located mainly in the Eastern Peloponnese".
The translation on Lyrics Translate by the native veteran translator follows this explanation (link). The Olive Oil Times agrees (link).
However, this explanation makes no sense in the context of the song, for example: "Εκεί που πας μη ξαναπάς, το κεφαλάκι σου θα φας" (where you go, don't go, they'll eat your head (chop it off, or mistreat you). The problem is obvious.
The origin of the song is in the greater area of Nea Ionia, around Smyrna in Asia Minor (today's Izmir). What would a type of olive in the eastern part of the Peloponnese mean to Smyrneans?
No one seems to go for the most obvious explanation, that μανακι is a diminutive of Mother (Μάνα).
No one seems to go for the most obvious explanation, that μανακι is a diminutive of Mother (Μάνα).
Seeking advice from the ultimate arbiter of truth these days, AI, it comes up with another solution:
Title and Meaning: “Manaki Mou” (Μανάκι μου) translates to "My Little One" or "My Child" but the lyrics convey a sense of longing and nostalgia. The song’s title is a term of endearment, addressing a loved one who has left or is distant. (More)
We will follow AI's advice for now, settling for 'little one", for want of a more contemporaneous expression. This explanation on the other hand is also not without its problems.
The full text which is filled with internal contradictions, comes across as perhaps some nursery rhyme or a game perhaps, the true explanation of which is lost in the mist of time.
The full text which is filled with internal contradictions, comes across as perhaps some nursery rhyme or a game perhaps, the true explanation of which is lost in the mist of time.
My little one
My little one, My little one
My little one, My little one
My little one, My little one
I have a headache
Come on, come on little one
Come on, come on little one
Come on, come on little one
where will you find a tough guy like me
Why are you looking at me so tough
Why are you looking at me so tough
Why are you looking at me so tough
Do you think I am afraid of you
Where you go, don't go again
where you go, don't go again
where you go, don't go again
They'll eat your head
I lost my mantle
I lost my mantle
I lost my mantle
because of my carelessness
Mister policeman, don't beat me
Mister policeman, don't beat me
Mister policeman, don't beat me
it's not my fault, poor wretch
My neighbor St George
My neighbor St George
My neighbor St George
take me away so I can escape
If you want pounds and cents
If you want pounds and cents
If you want pounds and cents
come away with me one evening
If I don't get to you by dawn
If I don't get to you by dawn
If I don't get to you by dawn
my hookah will be burning
My little one, My little one
My little one, My little one
My little one, My little one
and my heart's desire
Traditional
Interpretation: Yannis Kotsiras
Interpretation: Yannis Kotsiras
Posted: Greek Songs to English
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