Christmas Carols from Pontus area
The Pontian carols were accompanied by the Pontian lyre and sung by young and old, divided into small groups. They visited all the houses of the village on the eve or on the day of the feast, especially after sunset.
However, as most of the villages of Pontus were located in mountainous areas and carols were sung during the winter season, the morphological and climatic conditions forced young and old to sing carols during the daytime as well.
Apart from the accompaniment of the Pontian lyre, they also held a decorated boat.
Made of cardboard and thin board, decorated and usually lit with candles.
However, as most of the villages of Pontus were located in mountainous areas and carols were sung during the winter season, the morphological and climatic conditions forced young and old to sing carols during the daytime as well.
Apart from the accompaniment of the Pontian lyre, they also held a decorated boat.
Made of cardboard and thin board, decorated and usually lit with candles.
The Christmas Pontian carols do not only refer to the joyful news of the Birth of Christ, but also to His Passion and Resurrection, describing the life of Christ until the Passion and the Crucifixion.
The combination of elements of joy and drama give a special character to the Pontian carols.
Χριστός ’γεννέθεν χαράν ’ς σον κόσμον, χα καλή ώρα, καλή σ’ ημέρα.
Χα καλόν παιδίν οψέ ’γεννέθεν, οψέ ’γεννέθεν, ουρανοστάθεν.
Τον εγέννεσεν η Παναΐα, τον ενέστεσεν Αϊ Παρθένος-δις.
Εκαβάλκεψεν χρυσόν πουλάριν κι εκατήβεν ’ς σο σταυροδρόμιν
Έρπαξαν Ατον οι χίλ’ Εβραίοι, οι χίλ’ Εβραίοι και μύρ’ Εβραίοι.
Ας ακρεντικά κι ας σην καρδίαν αίμαν έσταξεν, χολή ’κ’ εφάνθεν.
Ούμπαν έσταξεν, και μύρος έτον, μύρος έτον και μυρωδία.
Εμυρίστεν ατο ο κόσμος όλεν, για μυρίστ’ ατο κι εσύ αφέντα.
Συ αφένταμ, καλέ μ’ αφένταμ.
Έρθαν τη Χριστού τα παλικάρια και θημίζ’νε τον νοικοκύρην,
Νοικοκύρη μ’ και βασιλέα.
Δέβα ’ς σο ταρέζ’ κι έλα ’ς σην πόρταν, δος μας ούβας και λεφτοκάρα
Κι αν ανοί’εις μας, χαράν ’ς σην πόρτα σ’.
Καλά Χριστούγεννα και σ’ έτη πολλά
Pontus area
Christmas carols
Christ is born, joy to the world, here's a good time, good day to you.
Here's a good boy born yesterday, born yesterday, born in heaven.
He was born by the Virgin Mary, raised by the Holy Virgin.
He rode a golden colt and went down to the crossroads
The thousand Jews, the thousand Jews, and the myriads of Jews took him.
Blood dripped from the limbs and from the heart, no anger was seen.
Wherever it dripped it was myrrh, it was myrrh and fragrance.
The whole world has smelled it, you smell it too, master.
You, master, my good master.
The lads of Christ are come and sing to the householder,
My landlord and king.
Go to the shelf and come to the door, give us dates and hazelnuts
And if you let us in, joy at your door.
Merry Christmas and many years to you.