Ta Mikra Pedia [Young children] [English translation]

Coltish kids, lamb-like foals, fresh tadpoles -1

You hold in your hand,

like a small paper pinwheel,2

Our most cherished hopes.

Coltish kids, lamb-like foals, fresh tadpoles -

You mix up your words,

Yet speak with deep meanings

When you invent your games.

In gardens or in loam,

Covered in flowers or mud,

The world of our youth

Offers so much beauty.

Coltish kids, lamb-like foals, fresh tadpoles -

You hold in your hand,

like a small paper pinwheel,

Our most cherished hopes.

A leaf or a bee,

a twig or a ball -

They become vehicles,

Or people living happily.

Coltish kids, lamb-like foals, fresh tadpoles -

You hold in your hand,

like a small paper pinwheel,

Our most cherished hopes.

Boxes of matches became

The station and the trains

With the power to reach

To the edge of the earth.

Coltish kids, lamb-like foals, fresh tadpoles -

You hold in your hand,

like a small paper pinwheel,

Our most cherished hopes.

1. "Τα μικρά παιδιά" literally means "The young/small children," which is nowhere near as mellifluous as "Τα μικρά παιδιά," in which each word in the phrase ends with a short "a" sound. I not only wanted the translation of the line to have a striking sound pattern, I wanted it to have the same number of syllables (10) as the Greek original. Thus, I wound up using more poetic license in translating this line than any other line in the song.2. I had trouble with this line. On-line algorithms translated "το μύλο το χάρτινο" as "paper mill." An industrial facility as the metaphor for the hope inspired by children? I knew that had to be wrong. Also, this has to be an object that a child would hold in one hand. I thought of a windmill/ανεμομιλοσ that is the icon of one Greek island. A windmill of paper is a common child's toy - a pinwheel. Clearly, "pinwheel" made more sense than "paper mill" in this line.

• Artist:Arleta
• Album:Arleta No. 2