Carol, Greece.
This is a New Year’s Eve Carol from Greece, dated back to Byzantine times. Its title means “First of the month and first of the year”.
In Greece, it is an old tradition for children to go out in the streets of their neighbourhood or broader area on the 31st of December, singing “Archiminia ki archichronia”, which embodies wishes to the listeners, as well as references to both Jesus Christ and Basil of Caesarea (the Eastern European equivalent of Santa Claus).
Table of Contents
- Karaoke Video with Lyrics
- Free karaoke MP3 download
- Commercial License
- Sheet music with chords
- Free Printable PDF with Lyrics and Sheet Music
- Song Info
Karaoke Video with Lyrics
Lyrics
Αρχιμηνιά κι αρχιχρονιά,
ψηλή μου δενδρολιβανιά,
κι αρχή καλός μας χρόνος,
εκκλησιά με τ’ άγιο θρόνο.
Αρχή που βγήκε ο Χριστός,
άγιος και πνευματικός
στη γη να περπατήσει
και να μας καλοκαρδίσει.
‘Αγιος Βασίλης έρχεται
και όλους μας καταδέχεται
από την Καισαρεία,
σ’εισ’αρχόντισσα κυρία.
Βαστάει εικόνα και χαρτί,
ζαχαροκαντιοζύμωτη,
χαρτί και καλαμάρι,
δες και με το παλικάρι.
Το καλαμάρι έγραφε
την μοίρα του την έλεγε
και το χαρτί ομίλει,
Άγιε μου, άγιε μου καλέ Βασίλη.
Κάτσε να φας, κάτσε να πιεις
κάτσε το πόνο σου να πεις,
κάτσε να τραγουδήσεις,
και να μας καλοκαρδίσεις.
Click on the button to watch a karaoke video
and download a PDF file with lyrics to this song for free.
Free karaoke MP3 download
To download your free instrumental mp3 of this song,
click or tap on the following button, then choose “Save link as…”
Archiminia ki archichronia (Αρχιμηνιά κι αρχιχρονιά) (mp3 instrumental, 1:13 – 4/4 – 120 bpm)
Commercial License
Purchase a license that permits the commercial use of this track. You can license this track for:
YouTube License
Insta/FB License
TikTok License
Other License
Not sure which license is best for you?
Read our licensing page or contact us!
Sheet music with chords
To save this free music sheet of “Archiminia ki archichronia to your computer, right click (or tap and hold, on mobile devices) and choose “Save Image As…”.
Free Printable PDF with Lyrics and Sheet Music
To download a ready-to-print PDF of this song for music activities with a music sheet, lyrics and a drawing for kids to paint, right click (or tap and hold) on the following link, then choose “Save link as…”.
“Αρχιμηνιά κι Αρχιχρονιά” free PDF download – Singing Bell
Song Info
This Greek New Year’s Ever carol contains various elements, that are thought to have derived from “songs of agermoi” (άσματα αγερμού), improvised chants that used to be sung on the Eves of important religious celebrations during charity walks around towns.
The song starts with a wish for the upcoming year. Then, it mentions and praises Jesus Christ, who “goes out to walk on Earth”, eight days after his birth, a reference to the semitic custom of the circumcision.
The third verse talks about Saint Basil of Caesarea, the “Santa Claus” of Eastern Europe, a theologian who lived in Cappadocia, Asia Minor in the 4th century AD, who is depicted as a great educator “carrying paper and ink bottle”.
In a funny way, some scattered lyrics also call for the attention of a lady, a flattering in disguise for the pretty women who listened to the song.
Did you like this post?
(2 vote(s), average: 5.00 out of 5)
Loading...
You may also like:
Chionia sto kampanario (Χιόνια στο καμπαναριό)
