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 Agonia (Αγωνία), which was sung by Tolis Voskopoulos. Also included is a pronunciation guide for the Greek lyrics so you can sing along if you like.

This emotional Greek love song became popular in 1969 when it appeared in a dramatic Greek film called Agonia.

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 THE PHOTO: The photo shows Tolis Voskopoulos, the original artist for this song.

About Giorgos Zampetas

Giorgos Zampetas , the composer of the melody for this song, is renowned as one of the greatest bouzouki artists of the rebetiko era of Greek music. In 1932, as a self-taught 7-year-old child, he won his first prize, playing his first song in a school competition. At 13, Giorgos met his idol Vassilis Tsitsanis, one of the greatest figures in Greek music. His career as a songwriter began around 1952. The height of his career was in the 1950's and 1960's.

Lyrics: Haralambos Vasiliadis (Tsantas)

Music: Giorgos Zampetas

Original Artist: Tolis Voskopoulos

Στίχοι: Χαράλαμπος Βασιλειάδης (Τσάντας)

Μουσική: Γιώργος Ζαμπέτας

Πρώτη εκτέλεση: Τόλης Βοσκόπουλος

Sung by Harry Saroyan

Greek Lyrics

Pronunciation

English Translation

Verse

Verse

Verse

Chorus

Chorus

Chorus

Verse

Verse

Verse

Chorus

Chorus

Chorus

Listen to Clip

Artist: Harry Saroyan
CD Title: Saroyan Sings "Cairo"

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.