PHOTO CREDIT: Above photo by John Rickman Photography, San Jose, California.

This page contains a translation into English of the lyrics to the popular Greek song "Agapi Hioni" (Αγάπη Χιόνι), which was sung by Glykeria and Natacha Atlas. Also included is a pronunciation guide for the Greek lyrics so you can sing along if you like.

For more information about the laiko and rebetiko styles of music, see Introduction to Laiko / Rebetiko Music elsewhere on this web site.

Song lyrics are provided for educational purposes. If you like the song, please purchase either the album or a download from an authorized source.

About Glykeria

Glykeria Kotsoula is the sweetheart of Greece and one of the greatest legends of our time. She was born in 1953 in Serres, Greece. Her musical style is modern laika (rebetika & folk), while still always paying tribute to the great Rebetes of the past.

Panayiota, the translator of this song, offers this personal perspective on what Glykeria's music means to her:

Glykeria's music always has and always will inspire me both on and off the stage. I admire her simplicity and humbleness despite her fame and success. While most kids were learning standard lullabies, my mother would sing all her songs to me, since I was a baby. My mother Evangelia is a huge fan and loves singing her songs. On family road trips, my mother played all her tapes over and over again. Those cassette tapes are what made me fall in love with Laika/Rebetika style music at the age of ten. Thank you Glykeria, thank you Mama! Enjoy!

Most of Glykeria's records have gone platinum. She has gained fame and respect through out the world. Glykeria collaborates with many notable international musicians, including the Turkish living legend, Omar Farouk Tekbilek.

About Natacha Atlas

Natacha Atlas is a popular Egyptian-British singer known for her fusion style. At age 24, in 1988, she moved to Belgium and began working as a belly dancer and singing with a salsa band. She began her singing career as the lead singer for the group Transglobal Underground, then spun off to launch a solo career in 1995. In the years that followed, she worked on many collaborations with other artists, including this song she sang with Glykeria.

About Panos Falaras

Born in 1951, Panos Falaras has been a very prolific lyricist on the Greek music scene, having created over 1,500 songs. At age 17, he took a correspondence course via mail in how to write song lyrics. A lyrics competition in 1974 co-sponsored by the Columbia record company and the magazine Tahidromos resulted in his submission being chosen as one of 12 to be set to music and recorded. From that beginning, he moved into working with many prominent Greek recording artists, and has enjoyed a vibrant musical career.

Lyrics: Natacha Atlas, Panos Falaras

Music: Stelios Fotiadis

Original Artists: Glykeria Kotsoula, Natacha Atlas

Album: Maska (Mask)

Dance Style: Belly dance

Στίχοι: Νατάσα (Νατάσια) Άτλας, Πάνος Φαλάρας

Μουσική: Στέλιος Φωτιάδης

Πρώτη Εκτέλεση: Γλυκερία Κοτσούλα, Νατάσα (Νατάσια) Άτλας

Άλμπουμ: Μάσκα

This page was contributed by Panayiota Bakis, who is happy to share her culture and music she grew up with! Here's how Panayiota describes her background:

I always love engaging with intelligent like-minded people, especially artists. I love sharing anything and everything about my Hellenic culture and upbringing, especially music and dance. A conversation with me will bring you back to America's favorite Greek-American movie by Nia Vardalos called My Big Fat Greek Wedding.

I love investigating Greek culture, history, music, and dance. Speaking of investigating, I think I missed my calling, I probably should have been an investigator. Instead, I use those skills to dig and dig and dig tirelessly, often times falling asleep on my laptop... just to find the truth. But, most importantly, accurate truth. For me personally, and other respectable folklorists, my culture and accuracy are very important. Each generation of ethnic born artists has a duty to do the best it can to pass down our traditions as was taught to us. We have been given this artistic gift to be the gatekeepers of our heritage and culture.