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 "Exo Dertia Ke Kaimi" (Έξω ντέρτια και καημοί), which was sung by Stelios Kazantzidis. 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.

The legendary Stelios Kazantzidis was born August 29, 1931 in Athens Greece, specifically Nea Ionia. He is among the most beloved musicians of our time. His music and words never get old. He was of Asia Minor and Pondian (Greek Anatolian) descent. Stelios or, as many love to call him, Stelara, was also loved due to his character and simplicity in life. Sadly, he did not make much from profit from his career as he was taken advantage of.

Stelios' music is all about love, immigration, pain, refugee, and poverty as is most music of this time. He is considered one of the fathers of Laiko music. Stelara has touched many people's lives. He remained so humble and simple until cancer took his last breath in 2001.

“I sing for the poor, the immigrants and the suffering people… generally for the lower social classes. They can’t go to the expensive night clubs. They buy my discs and they regard them as their Gospels.” – Stelios Kazantzidis

Personal notes by the translator:

The music of Stelios Kazantzidis is very dear to my heart. My grandmother and grandfather were often referred to as the young Kazantzidis and Marinella, while singing at family gatherings. Marinella was Stelios' first wife, and his biggest love.

If you want to impress Greeks, you need to remember Stelios' name. As much as Princess Diana was loved, so was Stelios. People cry black tears to his music.

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

Lyrics: Stelios Kazantzidis

Music: Stelios Kazantzidis

Original Artist: Stelios Kazantzidis

Has Also Been Recorded By: Glykeria

A Turkish-Language Version Titled "Alim" Has Been Recorded By: Ziynet Sali and Dilek Kots

Στίχοι: Στέλιος Καζαντζίδης

Μουσική: Στέλιος Καζαντζίδης

Πρώτη εκτέλεση: Στέλιος Καζαντζίδης

Greek Lyrics

Pronunciation

English Translation

Verse

Verse

Verse

Chorus

Chorus

Chorus

Verse

Verse

Verse

Chorus

Chorus

Chorus

Instrumental Solo

Instrumental Solo

Instrumental Solo

Chorus

Chorus

Chorus

• Afti ee Nihta Meni (This Night Remains)
• Arapika Kormia (Arabian Bodies)
• Arapines Nihtes Magikes (Arab Women, Magical Nights)
• Den Se Lismono (I Haven't Forgotten You)
• Ego Ime Prosfiga Pedi (I Am a Refugee Child)
• Ehis Kormi Arapiko (You Have an Arabian Body)
• Exo Dertia Ke Kaimi (Out with Sorrows and Longing)
• Farrah (Farrah)
• Glikia Felaha Klapse (Cry, My Sweet Village Woman)
• Housara (Housara)
• Ine Glikos O Thanatos (Death is Sweet)
• Ise i Zoi Mou (You Are My Life)
• Ithela Na ‘Mouna Pasas (I Would Have Liked to be a Pasha)

• Mana Mou (My Mother)
• Mandoubala (Mandoubala)
• Me' Sti' Fotia Mou (Inside My Fire)
• Mesa Sto Erimo Spitaki (Inside the Deserted Little Home). Uses the 1949 melody from Mohamed Abdel Wahab's song "Ashek El Roh"
• Mi Mou Lete Ya Afti (Don't Tell Me About Her)
• Nina Nai Nai, also known as Siko Horepse Koukli Mou (Get Up and Dance, My Doll)
• Sa Xena Ime Ellinas (In Foreign Lands I'm a Greek)
• Siko Horepse Koukli Mou, also known as Nina Nai Nai (Get Up and Dance, My Doll)
• Tha ta Kapso ta Lefta (I Will Burn my Money)
• Ti Thelis Apo 'Menane (What Do You Want from Me?)
• Xousara (Xousara)

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.