traditional Cypriot song
Dili Dili
curated by Avra Skoutella Pieridou and Michalis Hadjimichael
Published 2008
One in a series of eight books curated by Avra Skoutella Pieridou and Michalis Hadjimichael.
The melodies and lyrics of most of the songs derive from the folkloric research of the Cypriot folk musician Michalis Hadjimichael in the area of Kokkinochória in the east coast of the island. Dr Avra Pieridou Skoutella took the responsibility of designing the publication, devising the teaching methodologies, forming the children’s choir and teaching the songs and undertaking the creation and completed production of the publication.
listen to an extract here:
Once upon a time,
there was a girl who was embroidering
for her own true love
at night by lamplight
a golden scarf
dili dili, a golden scarf
a mouse appeared
and stole the wick
from inside the lamp
which lit the night
where she embroidering
for her own true love
a golden scarf
dili dili, a golden scarf
the cat came too
and caught the mouse
who stole the wick
from inside the lamp
which lit the night
where she embroidering
for her own true love
a golden scarf
dili dili, a golden scarf
the dog ran
and snatched the cat
who had caught the mouse
who stole the wick
from inside the lamp
which lit the night
where she embroidering
for her own true love
a golden scarf
dili dili, a golden scarf
a wooden plank fell
and hit the dog
who snatched the cat
who caught the mouse
who stole the wick
from inside the lamp
which lit the night
where she embroidering
for her own true love
a golden scarf
dili dili, a golden scarf
the oven was lit
and the wood was burned
which had hit the dog
who snatched the cat
who had caught the mouse
who stole the wick
from inside the lamp
which lit the night
where she embroidering
for her own true love
a golden scarf
dili dili, a golden scarf
the river came
and put out the fire
that burned the wood
that hit the dog
who snatched the cat
who caught the mouse
who stole the wick
from inside the lamp
which lit the night
where she embroidering
for her own true love
a golden scarf
dili dili, a golden scarf
a cow came
and drank the river
which put out the fire
which burned the wood
which had hit the dog
who snatched the cat
who had caught the mouse
who stole the wick
from inside the lamp
which lit the night
where she embroidering
for her own true love
a golden scarf
dili dili, a golden scarf
the butcher came
and slaughtered the cow
who drank the river
and put out the fire
that burned the wood
that hit the dog
who snatched the cat
who caught the mouse
who stole the wick
from inside the lamp
which lit the night
where she embroidering
for her own true love
a golden scarf
dili dili, a golden scarf
