On the rocks of my country I write you a song
because for an entire age
you took responsibility on your shoulders
as if the blame was yours.
But you did not mind because you were young
and healthy and strong, and smiling you said:
"I will be back".. And you bade farewell.
And you lifted your cross and went forth
like Jesus or like Dhigenis
with Greece running behind you
and not catching up
With Greece sending you greetings
so you did not forget in the rocky wilds of the world
That you my brother were not born
to be a citizen of the world
because your heart has Greece branded upon it!
A Greece as heavy as your fathers' blessing!
As heavy as a tiny pebble from its sacred body.
It will sit heavy on you..
As long as you live it will grieve you,
wherever you are, if you are far from home,
it will be your death. But the mere thought
of it will bring you to life!!
That is why,
on the rocks of my country,
I write you a song,
to whisper to yourself every morning
as you rise and greet the sun.
Know always
that its first caress upon your face
is a greeting and sweet embrace,
in holy remembrance of your mother,
with a wish: "My child, be always well "...
Give a smile and a jaunty
whistle and go on your way