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

This romantic Greek Rebetiko song was written by Markos Vamvakaris (also known as Fragkos, because of his Catholic religion). The lyrics talk about a beautiful girl he saw on the Greek island of Syros during one of his concerts. He never knew or met this beautiful woman ever again. He sat down and just started pouring his heart and soul into the lyrics which came to be known as the song "Fragosiriani".

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

The word "Fragosyriani" refers to the Catholic-born Greeks from the island of Syros. Frago = Catholic and Syriani = girl of Syros. In the lyrics, Markos' romantic fantasy travels throughout various towns of the island of Syros: Pateli, Foinika, Nihori, Parakopi, Delagratsia, Piskopio, Alithini.

The legendary Markos Vamvakaris (in Greek, Μάρκος Βαμβακάρης) was born May 10, 1905 on the Greek island of Syros. Syros is located in the Aegean Sea. He was from a small village called Danakos. He is considered one of the fathers of Rebetiko music.

The Hellenic (Greek) people, young and old, love this type of music. But there is also a love/hate relationship. You have to be in the mood to be able to welcome this music into your conscious body, mind and soul. Even though there are many songs that may sound upbeat, they are also heavy at the same time. But when the time comes for celebration, it has the opposite feeling. Feeling is no longer heavy, but rather joyous and nostalgic!

Lyrics: Markos Vamvakaris, also known as Fragos

Music: Markos Vamvakaris

Original Artist: Markos Vamvakaris

Has Also Been Recorded By:

• Grigoris Bithikotsis

Στίχοι: Μάρκος Βαμβακάρης, Φράγκος

Μουσική: Μάρκος Βαμβακάρης, Φράγκος

Πρώτη εκτέλεση: Μάρκος Βαμβακάρης

Άλλοι Ερμηνευτές:

• Γρηγόρης Μπιθικώτσης

Greek Lyrics

Pronunciation

English Translation

Verse 1

Verse 1

Verse 1

Verse 2

Verse 2

Verse 2

Verse 3

Verse 3

Verse 3

Verse 4

Verse 4

Verse 4

Listen to Clip

Artist: Markos Vamvakaris
CD Title: Vamvakaris Box Set

Listen to Clip

Artist: Various Artists
CD Title: The Greek Instrumental Music, Greatest Hits, No. 2

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.