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The old year isn't quite over, its many gifts settling in and the new one tentatively stealing a glimpse, and I'm celebrating by offering my readers a special treat on this special day: A brand new bottle of Amouage Dia perfume 30ml in a velvety pouch which will be given to one lucky reader who will comment on this post and suggest their favorite charity. The draw is open internationally until Friday 3rd 2014 midnight and winner will be announced in the weekend.
Below Pantelis Thalassinos sings the (fragrant!) folk version of the New Year's Carols from Chios island in Greece. I wish you all the many blessings of the lyrics.
"Good evening I say, ushering fragrant air,
from the frothing waves, sung a thousand times over.
No stone should crack in the house we came to
and may the landlord live for many years.
Saint Basil dear and my dear Saint Nicholas,
protect the sailors in the hour of the storm.
May you live many years and be merry, you and yours,
and may your immigrant beloveds and all your sailors come back.
We wish you all to get love, peace and good health,
a jolly heart, a smile and blessings too.
First day of the month and first of the year, my tall rosemary tree,
and first of January, the day of Saint Basil.
(St.) Basil, my dear, wherever you're coming from and wherever you're descending,
holding roses and anointing,
sit down and feast, sit down and drink, sit down and tell us your troubles,
sit down and sing, and welcome us and come out and treat us,
may you live, may you live and get to an old age. "
