“Hionia sto kabanario, pou Christougenna simainoun…” (Snow on the bell tower mark the coming of Christmas)… Though our mother was anything but religious, on Christmas Eve morning in a usually very snowy Chicago suburb she would sing to us this carol. She still insists that children should have something to believe in and look forward to… and indeed, this carol marked the official countdown to Christmas, which for us meant finally opening our presents.
The poem, penned by Stelios Sperantzas (1888-1962), is performed here by folk singer Mariza Koch and her children’s choir. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_IpBOFW0Gg8
Like most Greek folk music (demotika), Christmas carols date back to the Byzantine times and are still mostly sung in the purist katharevousa form of the Greek language. The word “kalanta" derives from the latin "calenda", which is defined as the start of the month.
Kalanta from the Peloponnese: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I7BDGkxePYY
Early on Christmas morning, children across the land would gather (and fortunately still do, especialy in rural Greece), gloves, caps and triangles in hand and would visit each and every household and shop in the village or town. "Na Ta Poume?" (Shall We Sing?), they would yell waiting for that special “nod”. Once the carol was over, the youngsters would then wish the home- or shopowner health, happiness and prosperity, and in some cases, a good crop. In return, the carolers were offered edible goodies such as traditional holiday sweets including honey-dipped melomakarona or sugar-topped kourabiedes, pies, specially knitted breads and pomegranate.
Kalanta from Crete: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9BoJ_4FO5cM
Again, much like Greek folk song, the lyrics and music of the kalanta vary depending on the region, and this is evident not only in the musical instruments accompanying the carolers but also the rhythm and the wishes. In some regions, the musical accompaniment includes guitars, the daouli drum, harmonica, clarinet or accordeon.
Kalanta from Thrace: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oDp62vmIi0I
Today, city carolers go from one apartment to the other and in return they are “tipped” with change.
The carols always culminate in a Wish: “Ke tou Chronou, Chronia Polla” (May we be well again to celebrate next year and for many years to come).
The Greek Vibe wishes all a very Merry Christmas full of music to soothe the soul.
