Shall we sing it?-Na ta poume?

Shall we sing it?
Every year in Greece, early in the morning of Christmas Eve, on December 24, the neighborhoods are flooded with children's voices. The children go from house to house, ring the bell and as soon as the door opens they ask "Shall we sing it?". Holding the traditional metal triangle or accompanied by other musical instruments, they sing christmas carols (kalanta), expecting a small reward either money or sweets.

Once they have finished their song, children wish “Merry Christmas” and the adults answer “and next year again!" , which basically means that they hope they will be blessed and healthy throughout the whole year.

The carols are a festive and happy song, which announces the birth of Christ. The song summarizes the story of the Nativity: Christ is born in Bethlehem, in a manger and all of Nature celebrates.The three Magi following a bright guiding star reach the manger and offer their gifts.

The song closes with wishes for long life to the occupants of the house.
Etymologically, the word "kalanta" comes from the Latin "calendae", which means "the first day of the month". Especially, the Calends of January were days of celebration for the Romans, due to the arrival of the new year and during them, relatives and friends exchanged visits and gifts, which were honey, dried figs, dates, porridge and small coins.

Christmas carols and the customs that accompany them show great variety from place to place in Greece. Here you can listen to perhaps their most popular version:Carols

If you want to read along, here are the Greek lyrics and the English translation.

«Καλήν εσπέραν άρχοντες»                   " Good evening noblemen"
Καλήν εσπέραν άρχοντες,                        Good evening noblemen
αν είναι ορισμός σας,                              If this is your will,
Χριστού τη Θεία γέννηση,                       Christ's holy birth
να πω στ' αρχοντικό σας.                     May I sing in your noble house
Χριστός γεννάται σήμερον,                     Christ is being born today
εν Βηθλεέμ τη πόλη,                             In the town of Bethlehem
οι ουρανοί αγάλλονται,                           Heavens rejoice
χαίρεται η φύσις όλη.                          All of nature is happy.

Εν τω σπηλαίω τίκτεται,                  Inside the cave (He) is being born
εν φάτνη των αλόγων,                         In the stable of the horses
ο βασιλεύς των ουρανών,                    The King of all the universe
και ποιητής των όλων.                         The Creator of everything.

Πλήθος αγγέλων ψάλλουσι,                 A crowd of angels are singing,
το Δόξα εν υψίστοις                              "Ossana in excelsis",
και τούτο άξιον εστί,                             And holly is
η των ποιμένων πίστις.                        The faith of the shepherds.

Εκ της Περσίας έρχονται                     From Persia three magi arrive                   
τρεις μάγοι με τα δώρα                       With their gifts
άστρο λαμπρό τους οδηγεί                   A bright star shows them the way
χωρίς να λείψει ώρα.                           Without any delay.

Σ' αυτό το σπίτι που 'ρθαμε,                 In this house we have come      
πέτρα να μη ραγίσει                           May no stone ever crack
κι ο νοικοκύρης του σπιτιού                   And the landlord
χρόνια πολλά να ζήσει.                       May live for many years.