The Carols (Kalanta)

I'm with Yiorgos today and he will tell me about the Greek Carols. Here, they call them Kalanta!

The carols is a Greek custom undiminished even today with the children go around from house to house, 2 or more, and sing carols accompanying their song with the triangle or even guitars, accordion, lyres, or harmonicas.

The children go from house to house, knocking on doors and asking: "Shall we say? ". If the response from the landlord or landlady is positive, they sing carols for a few minutes ending with the wish "And next year. Seasons Greetings." The households reward them nowdays with some money and in the past offered them melomakarona or buns.

Carols are sung on the eve of Christmas, New Year and Epiphany and are different for each celebration.

Here are the lyrics for Christmas Carols:
Good afternoon lords
and if it's your command
the holy birth of Christ
may I say in your house
Christ is born today
in the city of Bethlehem
the skies get serene
the entire firmament rejoices

in the cave is born
in the stable of the horses
the king of the skies
and creator of everything
numerous angels sing
the "Glory in the highest"
and significant is
the faith of the shepherds

from Persia arrive
three magicians with the presents
a shining star leads them
without missing nor for a moment