Mikri Mou Lemonia Mou - Greek Song feat. Cretan Lyra Lab 

Vocals & arrangement by Farya Faraji. I filmed this video during my trip to Greece last year in May of 2022. This is a Cretan folk song from the eastern regions of the island. The Cretan Lyra, emblematic of the central regions of the island, in contrast to the corners where the violin was more popular due to Venetian influence, was played wonderfully by the RU-vid channel Cretan Lyra Lab: @cretanlyralab The beginning of the video was shot during my visit at the Stagakis Cretan Lyra Workshop, a workshop and music museum where Mr. Stagakis creates some of the most renowned Cretan lyras and lautos on the island, based on an old familial tradition dating back to at least a century. The instrumentation of this arrangement consists of a lauto and a Cretan lyra. Greek lyrics: Έλα, έλα μικρή μου λεμονιά μου... Η λεμονιά που αγαπώ σ' άλλο μοιράσι πέφτει για ένα κλαδί λεμονανθό θα με ποδώσει κλέφτη, Αυγή κι ηλιοβασίλεμα λεν ομορφιές του κόσμου όσοι δεν εγνωρίσανε τα δυο σου μάθια φως μου, Δεντρί που σε καμάρωνα καθημερνή και σκόλη και δα 'γυρες τσι κλώνους σου σε ξένο περιβόλι Romanised lyrics: Éla, éla mikrí mou lemoniá mou... I lemoniá pou agapó s' állo moirási péftei gia éna kladí lemonanthó tha me podósei kléfti, Avgí ki iliovasílema len omorfiés tou kósmou ósoi den egnorísane ta dyo sou máthia fos mou, Dentrí pou se kamárona kathimerní kai skóli kai da 'gyres tsi klónous sou se xéno perivóli English translation: Come, come, my little lemon tree... The lemon tree that I love in another part falls for a branch of lemon blossom will make me a thief, Dawn and sunset are the beauties of the world to those who have not known your two lessons, my light, A tree that grows on you every day and every day, and you turn your branches into a foreign orchard

Γειά σου Φαρία Φαρατζάκη με τα όμορφα τραγούδια σου!

Not in a million years I expected to hear an international artist sing the traditional music of my country, let alone an Iranian, and like an absolute master to boot! You sir, are nothing short of a genius!

Farya, as a native Cretan myself, I have to say your Greek accent is perfect and your execution of this piece is amazing.

With all the animals appearing, and shots of a town, it almost feels like the opening of a documentary. Your music easily fits in a historical movie or TV show.

Your ancestors tried to conquer these lands, and you conquered them with your genius. Superb

After visiting greece for 2 weeks i imgined myself a life on that beutiful country. 1 year later i stikk think about that 2 weeks every single day

Эта самая красивая песня о лимонах, которую я только слышал. Огромное спасибо за превосходное творчество.

I’m American but my family is Cretan diaspora. I’ve never heard this song before but I immediately recognized it as Cretan before I even read the comments. You did this song so beautifully that I cried in the car on my way home. There’s something about the lyra that makes me cry - it’s so beautiful and melancholy. It feels like home.

Korean lyrics 이리와라, 이리와라, 내 작은 레몬.. 내가 사랑하는 레몬 나무는 꽃 가지가 다른 부분에서 나를 도둑으로 만들 것이네. 새벽과 일몰은 다른 사람들이 모르는 나의 빛이며 세상의 아름다움이라고 가르치네. 당신 위에서 매일 매일 자라는 나무는 그 가지를 이국적인 과수원으로 만드네. P.S 틀릴수도 있으니 더 나은게 있으면 따로 올려주세요. I could be wrong, so if there is something better, please post it separately.

Greeting from Romania! Very nice song. I am an archaeologist and i fallow you with great interest.

I love that Lyra and I loved that you sang this to the melody of the Taverns of Elounda! ❤

요즘 그리스풍 음악이 자주 올라오네요. 이것도 휴식용 음악으로서 괜찮네요. 그리고 영상하고도 잘 어울립니다.

Bu adam tek başına RU-vid kültürünün %50 sini oluşturuyor , biz gençler olarak bu dünya kültürünü koruyacağız ❤(Küçük Asya dan selamlar(Türkiye))

Awesome song Farya!! Thank you again 🪕 The clip is from Crete...the island where I come from 🇬🇷

I have to say, your greek music is on a different island, and your greek island songs, a whole different league, armenaki, and now this. banger after greek banger

Sang as clear as a Greek, played as well too. You're a real deal sir

Bravo, Farya👏🏼🎉Good luck to all Greeks🇷🇺❤🇬🇷

Λεμονια is the name of my grandmother σε αγαπαμε ιρανε

Many countries own you a great debt for your beautiful music.

Ahhh that's the lyra segment from Taverns of Elounda, I love it!

A few weeks ago, i was listening to this song and i thought 'I hope Farya will make a greek song soon.' And you did the right one :D

I'm obsessed with east Mediterranean culture and history. Your take on it is spectacular.

Бесконечно любимая мной Греция! :D Автора благодарю за творчество, песни прекрасны!

I’m impressed! I could never think that someone no native Greek could sing with such good accent!

Farya never stops dropping bangers, at this point I've listened to all the greek songs and most of the rest and there is not even one I would say " meh"

Come on, come on my little lemon tree x2 But the lemon tree that i love its in a other field than mine. And for a branch with a lemonflower they called thief..

Εξαιρετικό όπως πάντα :)

I love that goat he's my friend

And out of nowhere, Farya strikes again 🫡

Μπράβο ρε φίλε

Bravo, bravo خیلی خوب

I spent some time on Kriti last year, it is a truly amazing island

I can't express how happy it makes me to see content like yours on this website,truly amazing. Thanks for showing our culture to the rest of the world.

Excellent! One of my favorite Greek language songs. It was inevitable that you tackle this song, someday! Almost as good as Antonis Martsakis's version!

Cada día con más ganas de visitar Grecia. ¡Bravo, Farya! Excelente como siempre. 😄

Interestingly enough, the violin was and still is more popular, not only on the westernmost part of the island but also on the easternmost... It's the more or less largest central part of the island that had, and still has an almost completely Lyra tradition... The story about the violin-lyra rivalry in Crete is very interesting and worth research. It was fueled by politics and matters of national identity in Greece, the central argument being simplistic and filled with stereotypes: "Does Greece belong to the west or to the east?". I m very grateful for your videos because they challenge long established stereotypes and are very well informed! Greetings from Crete!

دائما اشعر اني انتمي بشكل او اخر الى البحر المتوسط لا ادري لماذا ❤❤

The lemon tree that I love falls in another [man's] estate For a branch full of blossoms it will make me a thief "Dawn and Sunset" they call the beauties of the world They who have not known your eyes, my light [You] tree that I looked proudly at on work- and holidays And now you've leaned your branches inside another [man's] orchard Hope my translation is good enough (I made some adjustments to yours) and congratulations for the great execution of one of my favourite songs from my homeland, Crete! Καλή συνέχεια!

If Ancient Persians & Greeks Could see this video it would be really interesting Persian guy singing a Greek song 😅

Well done, Farya ! Greek music is passionate and beautiful. If possible I would like to hear " Erotokritos" in your interpretation !

Good job with the vocals, actually sounds like the Cretan style of singing xD I feel confident in assuming you already know about Xylouris (Νίκος Ξυλούρης) which is the signature vocalist of this style (at least in my perception). Maybe it's just how your voice works, idk xD but it reminded me of that

Wonderful version. But, as a Cretan, let me correct you. The violin is played at both corners of the island, both east (Kissamos area) and west (Sitia area), while the lyre is more common on the mainland. PS: I will make this video go viral to the whole island. Check this out soon

Essa música é muito boa 👏👏

U r amazing like a native Greek Please a Thracian song too😜

Taverns of Elounda! Great job!

Τέλειος. Love from Cyprus

The beauty of this work is beyond words. The mediterranean and the middle east are so full of wonders and Farya makes new gems out of it. Thank you for sharing this with us.

Farya music and a video with goats, perfect ❤

You sing like Cretan beautiful voice.

This is actually really good.

Είστε εξαιρετικός. Η προφορά σας είναι άψογη !

Respect from Crete

wunderschön. 🌿

I recognise the melody from some of your Byzantine music pieces, very nice!

You did it again!! This song is one of my favourites and you did a version of it!!! ❤❤❤❤❤ Thank you so much!!!

A beautiful Cretan song 〰️

My goodness, man... What an amazing song

😊😊😊😊😊 bravo s❤

You are so great brother! God bless you!

Amazing tune! Interesting to find elements of your previous composition: "Taverns of Elounda" if I'm not mistaken, it's one of my favourites.

Γεια σου φοβερέ μουσικε! Μας τιμας!!

How does someone learn this language, only languages I understand, are German and English honestly. It seems mystical to me, this Greek..

beautiful vocals

Beautiful! ❤

Sounds amazing.

Great job as always. I think this is the first Greek song that you have sing that I could have tell you weren't Greek( not by much though) if I didn't know you weren't Greek and that's tell a lot about how good you are. .. Edit. Wait the man in the start of the video wasn't you?. Also just for educational purpose the real name of the song is (Για το θεό μάνα μου) but most know it as you have written.

awesome!

Much respect to you Mr. Farya, I have a huge crush on your intellect, kindness, humor and your passion. Admit it you’re an alien aren’t you? 😆🥰🙌🧿

Wow ❤

Glorious

Finally, i was waiting for this.

primal music from the depths of history, respect 🙏 🫡

If I was a Spotify user this would be near the top

This was truly magnificent. It inspires for greater-than-life deads. In which places did you travel ?

Badass... great job...again.

Would you ever do a video on the ochtoechos (8 tones) in Byzantine music? I reckon that would be cool

Καταπληκτικό !!!

Cool !

NICE

Классная песня

You are an amazing guy. Well done. ΜΠΡΑΒΟ ΣΟΥ.!!!!

Goats :)

It's an honor,as Hellin,to see a foreigner praise our culture an history while modern Hellenic people don't give a damn about it.Respect to the artist.I would also like to express my total respect for Persian culture

Ahhh, to own a bouzouki.

excellent, I love seeing you embrace my country's culture my friend !

Wonderful as always. Interestingly, I'm current reading the biography of the great Cretan writer Nikos Kazantzakis which was written by his wife Eleni and includes his letters. His Zorba the Greek is classic. And, I can't wait to dive into his Odyssey: A Modern Sequel. Thank you for this beautiful song and, of course, for including those wonderful cats.😉

Beautiful work Farya. You cover so many cultures. And Greek is indeed a beautiful language. Btw did you hear the song by title "tou thanatou" or "του θανατου"? One Greek musician sang it and it's a beautiful song. Greek black metal band Rotting Christ also covered it.

Bravo man! Another good song you've made. Can I suggest you write a song about the Danish viking king ''Harald Bluetooth'', who united the Danish realm into the Danish Kingdom?

Ah! This is the same Cretan lyre music you used for the Taverna of Elounda!

i want to learn greek how did u learn?

I know the version from Antonis Martsakis, but this one is very melodious and sounds very cretan❤ good job!

So beautiful!!!❤

🌷🌷🌷🌷🌷🌷🌷🌷🌷🌷🌷🌷god with u ❤ my bro god love u ❤ my bro

For another time, great accent!

It's amazing to me how you manage to make a lot of songs better than the original ones!! Great job as always, this is beautiful

Θαυμάσιο τραγούδι!

❤

Great song, beautiful performance. Dunno why but that lyra part sounds so romanian to me. Heh guess its a testament to how music transcends culture and geography.

Kudos !