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Αλεξάνδρεια
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This page contains a translation into English of the lyrics to the popular Greek song "Alexandria" (Αλεξάνδρεια), which was sung by Giannis Kotsiras. Also included is a pronunciation guide for the Greek lyrics so you can sing along if you like. 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 City of AlexandriaThis song is about the gorgeous city of Alexandria, the second largest city in Egypt. It was founded and named after the ancient Greek conqueror Alexander the Great. Today it is home to a massive Egyptian-Greek population. In Arabic, the name for Alexandria is Iskanderia! It is the homeland of the renowned Egyptian-Greek poet Kavafi. In Greece, we have countless songs singing of nostalgia and desire of what was once our homeland. The Greeks of eastern countries (outside of Greece) are all considered Anatolites (Ανατολίτες). However, this should not be confused with Anatolia, which lay in what is now present-day Turkey. Anatoli can mean all Eastern countries. Anatolites are Greeks of eastern countries, as well as all who come from the Arabic-speaking world, regardless of ethnic background and religion. About Giannis KotsirasGiannis Kotsiras is a Greek singer, composer, and lyricist. He started his music career in 1990 singing rebetiko and folk music. Since 1996, he has released a total of 10 studio albums and 3 of live concert performances. In 2004, Kotsiras performed live at the opening ceremony of the Athens Olympic Games, where he sang the official song of the 2004 Olympic Torch Relay, "Pass the Flame". |
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About Alkistis ProtopsaltiAlkistis Protopsalti, one of the artists to perform this song, is the stage name for Alkistis Sevasti Attikiouzel. She was born and raised in Alexandria, Egypt as an Egyptian Greek. Due to political turmoil, her family eventually moved to Greece. She performed along with other singers at the closing ceremony for the Olympic Games when Greece hosted it in 2004. In 2015, she was the Deputy Minister of Tourism for Greece. |
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Song: Alexandria, 1996 Lyrics: Aris Davarakis Music: Evanthia Reboutsika Original Artist: Giannis Kotsiras Has Also Been Recorded By:
Dance Style: Just for listening (or possibly a fusion veil dance) Album: Atho-os Enohos (Innocent Guilty) |
Τραγούδι: Αλεξάνδρεια, 1996 Στίχοι: Άρης Δαβαράκης Μουσική: Ευανθία Ρεμπούτσικα Πρώτη Εκτέλεση: Γιάννης Κότσιρας Άλλοι Ερμηνευτές:
Άλμπουμ: Αθώος Ένοχος |
Lyrics
Numbers in parentheses refer to footnotes that appear at the bottom of the translation.
Greek Lyrics |
Pronunciation |
English Translation |
| Ο Αλεξανδρινός | o Alexandrinos | The Alexandrian |
| ο καθαρός ο ουρανός | o katharos o ouranos | clear sky, |
| στον έρωτα είναι | ston erota ine | [when it comes to] love, is |
| σαν διαμάντι ανθεκτικός | san diamandi anthektikos | durable like a diamond. |
| κι όπως καθρεφτίζεται | ke opos kathreftizete | And when it's mirrored |
| στη θάλασσα ζεστός | sti thalasa zestos | warm in the sea, |
| λες για σαλάμ | les ya salam | you say "Ya salaam", (1) |
| να κι ένας άξιος μισθός | na ke enas axios misthos | here is a worthy salary. |
Chorus |
Chorus |
Chorus |
| Βρε για σαλάμ | vre ya salam | Oh, ya salaam! (1) |
| πού να το φανταστώ | pou na to fandasto | How could I ever have imagined [this]? |
| τόσο γλυκό το φθινόπωρο αυτό | toso gliko to fthinoporo afto | This autumn is so sweet, |
| τούτος ο ουρανός ο φθινοπωρινός | toutos o ouranos o fthinoporinos | this Autumn sky, |
| είναι ο αυθεντικός – ine o afthendikos | is the authentic ο Aλεξανδρινός | Alexandrian [sky]! |
| Το ένα μου | to ena mou | One of my |
| λιμάνι είναι δυτικό | limani ine ditiko | ports is west, |
| το άλλο το παλιό ανατολικό | to alo to palio anatoliko | the other old one is east. |
| έχω αεροδρόμιο στο βοριά | eho aerodromio sto voria | I have an airport to the north, |
| κι ένα αρχαίο φάρο | ke ena arheo faro | and an ancient lighthouse |
| προς το νοτιά | pros to notia | in the south. |
| Ναι, ο ουρανός | ne, o ouranos | Yes, the sky |
| ο καθαρός ο αυθεντικός | o katharos o afthendikos | the clear authentic [one] |
| στην Αλεξάνδρεια | stin Alexandria | in Alexandria |
| είναι τόσο ανθεκτικός | ine toso afthentikos | is so resilient |
| που όταν σκάει το κύμα | pou otan skai to kima | that when the the wave breaks |
| δυνατά στο Κάιτ Μπέι | dinata sto Kait Bei | hard on Qaitbay (2) |
| παντάν παντάν | pandan pandan | always, always, |
| βρε για σαλάμ ο έρωτας λέει | vre ya salam o erotas lei | Love says, "Hey, ya salaam!" (1) |
Instrumental |
Instrumental |
Instrumental |
| Για σαλάμ θα πει | ya salam tha pei | "Ya salaam" means |
| τόσα χώρεσα | tosa horesa | "I suffered so much |
| που το δαίμονά μου συγχώρεσα | pou to demona mou sinhoresa | I even forgave my demon |
| για όλα του | ya ola tou | for all of |
| τα πάθη τα άγρια | ta pathi ta agria | [his] wild passions." |
| για σαλάμ θα πει | ya salam tha pi | "Ya salaam" means |
| Αλεξάνδρεια | Alexandria | Alexandria! |
- "Ya salaam" is an Arabic expression which has a few different meanings. In this case, I believe it means "Oh, what a blessing!"
- The Citadel of Qaitbay is a 15th century fortress built upon the ruins of the legendary Lighthouse of Alexandria. Sultan Abu Al-Nasr Sayf ad-Din Al-Ashraf Qaitbay was a 15th century Sultan of Egypt and Syria.
Translations of
Alkistis Protopsaltis' Songs On This Site
Translations on this web site of songs performed by Giorgos Alkaios include:
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About the Translator
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:
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