Daemonia Nymphe uses authentic instruments, including lyre, varvitos, krotala, pandoura and double flute, which are made by the Greek master Nicholas Brass. Their shows are very theatrical, with members wearing masks and ancient dresses. Their lyrics are drawn from Orphic and Homeric hymns and Sappho's poems for Zeus and Hekate.
Daemonia Nymphe have composed music for many documentaries among which the documentary “Treasures of Athens and Olympia” for the British Channel Five in Summer of 2004. In 2005 they toured Greece with the support of the Greek ministry of Culture.
Mouson
Daemonia Nymphe Lyrics
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Μεγάλαν ηγήτορα
Φρικτόν, μειλίχιον
Δία, παγγενέτην,
Βιοδώτορα θνητών,
Ζήνα μέγαν,
Πολύπλαγκτον, αλάστορα,
Παμβασιλήα, πλουτοδότην,
Οίκον εσέλθηι,
Έμπαλι δέ τρύχοντα
Βίον θνητών πολυμόχθων:
Εν σοί γάρ λύπης
Τε χαράς κληίδες
Οχούνται. τοιγάρ τοι,
Μάκαρ, αγνέ,
Πολύστονα κήδε
'ελάσσας, όσσα
Βιοφθορίην πέμπει
Κατά γαίαν άπασαν,
Ένδοξον βιοτής
Γλυκερόν τέλος
Εσθλόν οπάζοις.
The lyrics to Daemonia Nymphe's song Mouson are in Greek and are a hymn-style invocation to various gods and goddesses. The singer calls out to the gods, including Zeus, Dionysus, and Athena, identifying them by their various titles and epithets. The lyrics describe these gods as both fearsome and sweet, with the power to bring both joy and sorrow.
The singer then addresses the gods as "Makar," which means "blessed" or "fortunate," and asks them to lessen the burdens of mortal life. They ask for the gods' help in overcoming the hardships of life and achieving a "glorious" and "noble" end. Overall, the lyrics are asking for the support and guidance of the divine to navigate the trials of human existence.
Overall, the song calls upon a number of gods and goddesses from ancient Greek mythology and presents them as powerful figures who can help humans overcome the difficulties of life.
Line by Line Meaning
Δαίμονα κικλήσκω
I call upon the divine
Μεγάλαν ηγήτορα
Great leader
Φρικτόν, μειλίχιον
Terrible, yet sweet
Δία, παγγενέτην
Zeus, originator of all
Βιοδώτορα θνητών
Nurturer of mortal life
Ζήνα μέγαν
Great Zeus
Πολύπλαγκτον, αλάστορα
Wandering, untamed
Παμβασιλήα, πλουτοδότην
All-ruling, giver of wealth
Οπόταν γε βρυάζων
As the waters flow
Οίκον εσέλθηι
Enter my home
Έμπαλι δέ τρύχοντα
And bring with you
Βίον θνητών πολυμόχθων
The life of hard-working mortals
Εν σοί γάρ λύπης
For in you lies both sadness
Τε χαράς κληίδες
And the keys to happiness
Οχούνται. τοιγάρ τοι,
These are sought after by many
Μάκαρ, αγνέ,
O blessed, pure one,
Πολύστονα κήδε
Who cares for many needs
'ελάσσας, όσσα
Bringing less
Βιοφθορίην πέμπει
Destruction upon mortal life
Κατά γαίαν άπασαν,
Throughout the entire earth
Ένδοξον βιοτής
Glorious life
Γλυκερόν τέλος
And sweet end
Εσθλόν οπάζοις.
May you care for us.
Writer(s): Spyros Giasafakis
Contributed by Audrey M. Suggest a correction in the comments below.