The sea will bring birds on the wing, Gold stars will waft in with the wind That they might stroke, caress your hair, That they might bow to kiss your hand.
Just a moon made out of paper, Just a shore that’s make-believe, But if you would just believe me, It would all turn true and real.
In the absence of your sweet love Time but flits and hurries on. In the absence of your sweet love This big world’s a smaller one.
Just a moon made out of paper, Just a shore that’s make-believe, But if you would just believe me, It would all turn true and real.
Rick Newton, Kent State University, United States
Translator’s notes:
Since Gatsos himself often composed verses with a melody already in mind, this translation is inspired by both Gatsos’ lyrics and the Hadjidakis song. This translation is intentionally “music-influenced.” In an effort that is new for me as a translator, I aim here for a somewhat singable translation that a reader who knows the song (e.g., through Mouskouri or Merkouri) can invoke or hum as s/he reads. As part of this goal, the second and fourth line of each stanza aim for assonance — a hint of rhyme. Converting the Greek poem into a singable English text requires the translator to maintain a keen awareness of the syllable count. This results in certain “additions” to the original (e.g., “birds on the wing,” “bow to kiss your hand”). To keep the meter intact and not violate the ictus, furthermore, certain “fillers” are also employed (e.g., “big world,” “your sweet love”). As I select these modifiers, I aim for consistency with the poem’s overall message. My addition of the adjective “big,” though needed metri causa, is consistent with the poem’s opening reference to sea and wind, invoking the idea of largeness. I also strive to maintain the emotional and sentimental integrity of the poem: since this is a love poem, “sweet” — however trite — is an appropriate adjective for “love.”