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 "Ayazin" (Αγιαζίν), which was sung by Stratos Dionisiou. 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 this Song

This song originally appeared with Turkish lyrics under the name "Muhabbet Bağına Girdim Bu Gece". A few years later, a song with Arabic lyrics named "Ah Ya Zein" ("O Beauty"), appeared, using the chorus section of its medley. This was sung by Mohammed El-Qandeel in the 1954 Egyptian movie Raqsat al-Wadah for a dance scene featuring Samia Gamal and a corps of backup dancers.

Since then, it has also been performed by additional prominent artists some singing the full-length original Turkish version, others singing the shortened Arabic version.

During the 1970's, this song was very popular among belly dancers in North America. Many of the bands who played live music for dancers included this song in their repertoires.

ABOUT THE PHOTO: Samia Gamal dances in a still from the dance scene to the song "Ah Ya Zein" in the movie Raqsat al-Wadah.

About Stratos Dionisiou

Stratos Dionisiou's parents were refugees who had fled Anatolia (modern-day Turkey) to escape the genocide, and when he was only 13 years old, his father died. As a young man, while working as a tailor in Thessaloniki, Stratos Dionisiou also performed in the nightclubs as a musician. He moved to Athens to advance his singing career, recording his first song in 1959. He began achieving commercial success with a series of hits in the 1960's, followed by a successful U.S. tour.

Just as it seemed his career was taking off, he was arrested in 1973 on charges of possessing a gun and cannabis, and imprisoned for two years. He resumed his music career after serving his time.

His success continued into the 1980's.

ABOUT THE PHOTO: Stratos Dionisiou was the original artist to record the Greek version this song.

Song: Ayazin (O Beauty), 1960

Lyrics: Kostas Virvos

Music: Theodoros Derveniotis

Original Artist: Stratos Dionisiou

Dance Style: Belly Dance

Has Also Been Recorded By:

• Safiye Ayla, 1940's in Turkish ("Muhabbet Bağına Girdim Bu Gece")
• Mohamed Qandeel, in Arabic in a dance scene featuring Samia Gamal in the 1954 film Raqsat al-Wadah ("Ah Ya Zein")
• Mohammed el-Bakkar, 1957 in Arabic ("Ah Ya Zein")
• Sabah, 1958 in Arabic ("Ah Ya Zein")
• Semiramis Pekkan, 1971, in Turkish ("Ararım Sorarım")
• Omar Khorshid, 1974 in Arabic ("Ah Ya Zein")
• Şevval Sam, 2006, in Turkish ("Muhabbet Bağına Girdim Bu Gece")

Album: Ta Soferakia/Ayazin (Single)

Τραγούδι: Αγιαζίν, 1960

Στίχοι: Κώστας Βίρβος

Μουσική: Θεόδωρος Δερβενιώτης

Πρώτη Εκτέλεση: Στράτος Διονυσίου

Χορός: Οριεντάλ, Χορό Της Κοιλιάς, Ανατολίτικος Χορός, Τσιφτετέλι, Χανούμικο, Κελικός Χορός

Άλλοι Ερμηνευτές:

• Μοχάμμαντ Καντιλ, 1954 Στα Αραβικά ("Άγια Ζειν")
• Μοχάμμεντ Ελ-Μπακκαρ, 1957 Στα Αραβικά ("Άγια Ζειν")
• Σαμπαχ, 1958 Στα Αραβικά ("Άγια Ζειν")

Άλμπουμ: Τα Σωφεράκια/Αγιαζίν (Single)