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Adana

Daniel Decker
Language: English


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Copyright 2004 Candelas Music ASCAP

Lyrics by Daniel Decker
Music by Ara Gevorgian (or Gevorkyan)

Testo di Daniel Decker
Musica di Ara Gevorgian (o Gevorkyan)



Daniel Decker.
Daniel Decker.
Ara Gevorgian and Demis Roussos.
Ara Gevorgian and Demis Roussos.




From a message personally sent by Daniel Decker to the forum of armeniangenocide.com (from which also lyrics are reproduced).

Daniel Decker here.

I was doing a search online and discovered this forum. As the author of the lyrics and singer of Adana, I really appreciate your kind words about the song. Though I am not Armenian by birth, the words have a special meaning for me.

As a Christian, the fact of the genocide affects me deeply. During my many visits to Armenia, I have come to love the Armenian people and their rich heritage, as well as their vibrant culture. One of the most significant moments of my life occured on April 23, 2005, when I sang "Adana" in Yerevan for the very first time to commemorate the 90th anniversary of the genocide. I will never forget singing "Adana" as I looked into the eyes of the relatives of so many who lost their lives. That evening, "Adana" was presented again at the genocide memorial in Yerevan.

Perhaps to some, this is just a song. To me, it is a reminder of a great tragedy that must NEVER be repeated. I DO hope that these lyrics will bring a small measure of healing to Armenian families who continue to feel the pain of the genocide.

By the way, here are the complete English lyrics exactly as they were recorded.

Adana, 1915. Armenian children dying in the street.
Adana, 1915. Armenian children dying in the street.
American composer and singer Daniel Decker has achieved critical acclaim for his collaborations with Armenian composer Ara Gevorgian. The song "Adana", named after the city where one of the first massacres of the Armenian people took place, tells the story of the Armenian Genocide. Decker wrote the song's lyrics to complement the music of Ara Gevorgian. Cross Rhythms, Europe's leading religious magazine and web portal said of "Adana", "seldom has a disaster of untold suffering produced such a magnificent piece of art." He was officially invited by the Armenian government to sing "Adana" at a special concert in Yerevan, Armenia on April 24 2005 to commemorate the 90th Anniversary of the Armenian Genocide. To date, "Adana" has been translated into 17 languages and recorded by singers around the world. (From en.wikipedia)
A music video "Adana" has been posted on Youtube, as well as an interview with Daniel Decker talking about why he wrote "Adana".

HERE IS THE LINK.
NARRATION:
In the city of Adana during the darkest days of the Ottoman Empire, there began a tragedy that marked the start of what was to become known as the Armenian Genocide. The people of Armenia were forced into starvation, torture and extermination. Armenian homes were burned to the ground as men, women and children were killed. Sometimes entire families were wiped out. They were accused, convicted and sentenced to die because they dared to call themselves "Christians", their crime was in believing in a God who sent His son, Jesus Christ, to die for their sins. By 1915 1.5 million Armenians were ruthlessly slaughtered, because they would not renounce their faith in Christ. Unpunished and undeterred the ones responsible for the massacre in Adana set stage for the terrible genocide of the Armenian people. This is their story.


From the morning sun till the day was done
Fathers worked until their strength was gone,
In the summer air under mother's care
Children played within the village square.
Through the soil and sand, farmers worked the land
Gathering what they grew by their own hand,
Living day by day, trying to make their way
Unaware the price they would soon pay.

Keepers of the sword, marched in one accord
Striking down the weak, without a single word
Ruthlessly they came, with one deadly aim
Kill all who believed in Jesus' name.
In the shroud of night, families took their flight
Unprotected by the soldier's might,
Hungry and alone, starved to skin and bone
Forced to sleep on pillows made of stone.
Wandering in the rain, trembling from the pain
Cries for mercy offered up in vain,
Naked and afraid, on their knees they prayed
As they knelt before the warrior's blade... singing.

To the great I AM, Worthy is the Lamb
To Him who sits upon the throne we bow before You,
Holy is the One, God's Almighty Son
Glory to the Christ, Our risen King.

NARRATION:
Though persecuted, they were not abandoned. As they laid down their earthly lives, they would gain eternity with Christ. Though the world may forget, God would remember their suffering. Never again would they hunger or thirst. For the Son of God, Jesus Christ, who died and rose again, would be their shepherd. He would lead them to the springs of living water and God would wipe away every tear for their eyes. They would encircle the throne of God singing to the great I Am, worthy is the Lamb, who was and is, and is to come.


To the great I AM, Worthy is the Lamb
Who was and is, and is to come.
Holy is the One, God's Almighty Son
Glory to the Christ, Our risen King.

Contributed by Riccardo Venturi - 2006/8/22 - 13:14



Language: Italian

Versione italiana di Riccardo Venturi
22 agosto 2006
ADANA

NARRATO:
Nella città di Adana, durante i giorni più bui dell’Impero Ottomano, ebbe inizio una tragedia che segnò l’avvio di quello che sarebbe divenuto il genocidio armeno. Gli armeni furono fatti morire di fame, torturati e sterminati. Le case armene furono incendiate e rase al suolo, donne e bambini furono uccisi. A volte intere famiglie vennero cancellate. Furono accusati, imprigionati e condannati a morte perché osavano chiamarsi “Cristiani”, il loro crimine era quello di credere in un Dio che aveva mandato Suo figlio, Gesù, a morire per i loro peccati. Verso il 1915, un milione e mezzo di Armeni furono spietatamente massacrati per non aver voluto rinunciare alla loro fede in Cristo. Impuniti e incoraggiati, i responsabili del massacro di adana misero in atto il terribile genocidio del popolo armeno. Questa è la loro storia.


Da quando faceva luce fino al finire del giorno
i padri lavoravano fino a esaurire le forze,
nell’aria estiva, tenuti d’occhio dalle madri
i bambini giocavano nella piazza del paese.
Per terra e sabbia i contadini lavoravano la terra
raccogliendo ciò che coltivavano di propria mano,
vivendo alla giornata e tentando di cavarsela
ignari del prezzo che presto avrebbero pagato.

Coloro che avevano le spade marciarono tutti assieme
abbattendo i vecchi senza dire una parola.
Arrivarono spietati con un fine di morte,
uccidere chi credeva nel nome di Gesù.
Avvolte dalla notte le famiglie si misero in fuga
non protette dalla forza dei soldati,
affamate e sole, inscheletrite dalla fame
obbligate a dormire su cuscini di pietra.
Vagando nella pioggia, tremando di dolore
con grida di pietà gridate invano,
nudi e impauriti pregavano in ginocchio
piegandosi cantando alla spada del guerriero.

IO SONO dell’Onnipotente, degno è l’Agnello,
a Colui che siede in trono ci inchiniamo.
Santo è il Signore, Figlio onnipotente di Dio,
Gloria a Cristo, re nell’alto dei cieli.

NARRATO:
Sebbene perseguitati, non furono lasciati soli. Abbandonando le loro vite mortali, guadagnavano l’eternità con Cristo. Sebbene il mondo possa dimenticare, Dio avrebbe ricordato le loro sofferenze. Mai più avrebbero patito la fame o la sete. Perché il Figlio di Dio, Gesù Cristo, che morì e fu resuscitato, sarebbe stato il loro pastore. Li avrebbe condotti alle sorgenti vive e Dio avrebbe cancellato ogni lacrima dai loro occhi. Si sarebbero radunati attorno al trono di Dio cantando “Io sono dell’Onnipotente, degno è l’Agnello che era, è e che sarà”.


IO SONO dell’Onnipotente, degno è l’agnello
che era, che è e che sarà.
Santo è il Signore, Figlio onnipotente di Dio,
Gloria a Cristo, re nell’alto dei cieli.

2006/8/22 - 15:46


Ho trovato questo sito pieno di canzoni armene in armeno sul genocidio con traduzioni, ma non saprei come inserirle. vedete cosa se ne può fare

DonQuijote82 - 2011/4/29 - 14:22




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