[78-L] Question about "O Gero Amerikanos"

[goldenbough at arcor.de]

Eric, 
Here is what Dick Spottswood published in the booklet to 
Folk Music in America  - Vol. 6
Songs of Migration & Immigration 

Quote
D. Perdicopoulos  -  O Gero Amerikanos
With violin, bouzouki and guitar, Athens, Greece, mid-1930s. (3:11) 
Orthophonic S-737 

RCA Records' files contain no information concerning the Orthophonic label, whose
releases were exclusively of Greek and Turkish music. Since the song is directed 
to a Greek (as opposed to Greek-American) audience, we may assume that the 
recording was first issued in Greece and later reissued here. The song's harsh tone
offers and unusual glimpse of the conquering hero returning home to choose a wife, 
only to find his age and wealth bitterly resented by a relatively impoverished younger 
man whose intended is lured away from him. 
The reference to 'Castle Garden' indicates that the sond is about a specific, though 
unnamed individual. 
Unquote 


The reference to 'Castle Garden' ( Καστιγκάρι ) in the text, in fact, refers to 'Ellis Island'. 
(cf. this glossary of 'gringlish' here:  http://douridasliterature.com/glossari.html ) 

I do not know whether Dick reads the 78-L forum, but he never posted there, afaik. 

Benno