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

Χαμπίμπα
(Habiba)

(Habiba)

 

 

This page contains a translation into English of the lyrics to the Greek rebetiko song "Habiba" (Χαμπίμπα), which was sung by Rena Dalia and Nikos Kallergis. 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.

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 Rena Dalia

Rena Dalia was born as Eleftheria Papakosta in 1934 in Patra. She was one of 18 children with roots in Hpiros, Greece, and one of the greatest Laiko style singers. She initially showed her vocal talents in high school, singing in the choir. At age 18, she came to Athens with her mother to get a job as a typist, supporting them. Below the apartment where they lived was a taverna, where she met Kostas Zafiris, a radio producer. Zafiris encouraged her to enter a radio talent competition, and she came in first.

A job as a singer in a tavern quickly followed, which launched her singing career. There, she came to the attention of Yiannis Papaioannou, who was impressed by her voice and beauty. She soon came to know other great musicians in the Greek music profession. Her first great hit, Gülbahar, was composed for her by Vasilis Tsitsanis.

Dalia enjoyed a succesful singing career in Greece, as well as a touring career among the Greeks of the diaspora, and also in Arabia.

 Rena Dalia

Nikos Kallergis

Nikos Kallergis was born in Constantinople (Istanbul) in 1916, and was a notable and respected rebetiko singer and guitar player. Nikos had a very long and successful career touring with many other great artists. During one of his tours to the United States in the 1950's, he decided to stay for several years. He is noted for being one of the few post-war Laiko Rebetes to have recorded many rare songs in New York City in the 1960s.

He passed away at the age of 93 in May, 2008.		 Nikos Kallergis

Song: Habiba, 1952

Lyrics: Yiannis Papaioannou

Music: Yiannis Papaioannou

Original Artist: Rena Dalia and Nikos Kallergis

Dance Style: Belly Dancing, with a tango flair

Album: Yinekes Tis Anatolis (Women of the East)

Τραγούδι: Χαμπίμπα, 1952

Στίχοι: Γιάννης Παπαιωάννου

Μουσική: Γιάννης Παπαιωάννου

Πρώτη Εκτέλεση: Ρένα Ντάλια & Νίκος Καλλέργης

Άλμπουμ: Γυναίκες Της Ανατολής

 

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Lyrics

Numbers in parentheses refer to footnotes that appear at the bottom of the translation.

Greek Lyrics

Pronunciation

English Translation

Arabic Chorus

Arabic Chorus

Arabic Chorus
تعالى لي talili noba Come to me, one time
تعالى لي talili noba come to me, one time
     

Instrumental

Instrumental

Instrumental
     

Greek Verse

Greek Verse

Greek Verse
Στου Νείλου stou nilou At the Nile,
εκεί στις καλαμιές eki stis kalamies there at the reeds,
καρδιά μου kardia mou my heart,
έπαθες ζημιές epathes zimies you suffered damage.
κaι αγάπη ke agapi And love
ένιωσες τρελή enioses treli You felt crazily
για μιας ya mias for one [woman],
Xαμπίμπας το φιλί Habibas to fili for Habiba's kiss. (1)
     

Arabic Chorus

Arabic Chorus

Arabic Chorus
تعالى لي talili noba come to me, one time
تعالى لي talili noba come to me, one time
  Fir fo mafis  
  Shti – tir tala  
  Tale ya sindi  
  Ya sela  
     

Arabic Chorus

Arabic Chorus

Arabic Chorus
تعالى لي talili noba come to me, one time
تعالى لي talili noba come to me, one time
  Fir fo mafis  
  Shti – tir tala  
  Tale ya sindi  
  Ya sela  
     

Instrumental

Instrumental

Instrumental
     

Greek Verse

Greek Verse

Greek Verse
Χαμπίμπες Habibes Habibas, (2)
λάγνες, που φωτιά σ' ανάβουνε lagnes, pou fotia s' anavoune [are] sexy, they light you on fire
με μια ματιά me mia matia with one look.
και λιγωμένες ke ligomenes And pout
σα' σε δουν sa' se doun as if they see you.
ολόγλυκα σου τραγουδούν ologlika sou tragoudoun All sweetly they sing to you.
     

Arabic Chorus

Arabic Chorus

Arabic Chorus
تعالى لي talili noba come to me, one time
تعالى لي talili noba come to me, one time
  Fir fo mafis  
  Shti – tir tala  
  Tale ya sindi  
  Ya sela  
     

Arabic Chorus

Arabic Chorus

Arabic Chorus
تعالى لي talili noba come to me, one time
تعالى لي talili noba come to me, one time
  Fir fo mafis  
  Shti – tir tala  
  Tale ya sindi  
  Ya sela  
  1. "Habiba" is an Arabic female name. In this context, the word "habiba" can also be used to refer to an Arab woman.
  2. Here, "Habiba" is plural, more than one.

 

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Translations of
Rena Dalia's Songs On This Site

  • Gülbahar. Sung by Rena Dalia, composed by Vasilis Tsitsanis, lyrics by Eftihia Papayiannopoulou.
  • Ithela Na Mouna Pasas. Sung by Nikos Kallergis, composed by Stelios Xrisinis, lyrics by Eftihia Papayiannopoulou.

 

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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:

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.

Panayiota

 

 

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