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Η Μικρή Του Καμηλιέρη
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This page contains a translation into English of the lyrics to the Greek song "I Mikri Tou Kamilieri" (Η Μικρή Του Καμηλιέρη), which was sung by Marika Ninou and Thanasis Evgenikos. Also included is a pronunciation guide for the Greek lyrics so you can sing along if you like. The lyrics of this song praise a young woman in Algeria. Greeks have always been in present-day Arabic-speaking lands for thousands of years. During the late 1940's, after World War 2, many of the younger generation left Greece to seek work in there as well. 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 Marika NinouMarika Ninou was one of the duet who debuted this song. She was an Armenian-Greek rebetiko singer. She began her musical training as a child in school, learning to play the mandolin and becoming a chanter at the Armenian church. After she married Nikos Nikolaides in 1944, the couple became known as the Duo Nino. As others in the music industry heard her sing, she was offered additional opportunities to advance her career. By 1949, Ninou was working with Vasilis Tsitsanis at Fat Jimmy's, a club that provided continued opportunities for both. Tragically, Ninou became ill with cancer. Although she was still recording new music as of 1955, her health was already declining, and she died in 1957 at the young age of 39. |
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Song: I Mikri Tou Kamilieri (The Little Camel Driver), 1949 Lyrics: Apostolos Hadzihristos Music: Apostolos Hadzihristos Original Artists: Marika Ninou and Thanasis Evgenikos Bouzouki by Stavros Tzouanakos Dance Style: Zeibekiko Aptaliko Album: 78 Strofes |
Τραγούδι: Η Μικρή Του Καμηλιέρη, 1949 Στίχοι: Απόστολος Χατζηχρήστος Μουσική: Απόστολος Χατζηχρήστος Πρώτη Εκτέλεση: Μαρίκα Νίνου κ Θανάσης Ευγενικός Μπουζούκι Σταύρος Τζουανάκος Χορός: Ζεϊμπέκικο Απτάλικο Άλμπουμ: 78 Στροφές |
Lyrics
Numbers in parentheses refer to footnotes that appear at the bottom of the translation.
Greek Lyrics |
Pronunciation |
English Translation |
| Η μικρή του καμηλιέρη | ee mikri tou kamilieri | The young girl of the camel driver, |
| Aραπίνα από τ' Αλγέρι | Arapina apo t' Alyeri | Arabian girl (1) from Algeria, |
| όποιος να τη δει | opios na ti dee | whoever sees her |
| την θέλει, για λελέλι | tin theli, ya leleli | wants her, ya leleli! (2) |
| όποιος να τη δει | opios na ti dee | whoever sees her |
| την θέλει, για λελέλι | tin theli, ya leleli | wants her, ya leleli! (2) |
| Τραγουδούν οι Aραπάδες | tragoudoun ee Arapades | The Arabian [men] are singing |
| και χορεύει στους οντάδες | ke horevi stous odathes | and she dances in the chambers. (3) |
| το κορμί λυγάει σαν χέλι για λελέλι | to kormi ligai san heli, ya leleli | She moves her body like an eel (4), ya leleli. (2) |
| το κορμί λυγάει σαν χέλι για λελέλι | to kormi ligai san heli, ya leleli | She moves her body like an eel (4), ya leleli. (2) |
| Στο χορό κρατάει το ντέφι | sto horo kratai to defi | While dancing, she holds a tambourine, |
| και παντού σκορπάει κέφι | ke pandou skorpai to defi | and everywhere she spreads happiness. |
| η ματιά της στάζει μέλι, για λελέλι | ee matia tis stazi meli, ya leleli | Her glance drips of honey, ya leleli! (2) |
| η ματιά της στάζει μέλι, για λελέλι | ee matia tis stazi meli, ya leleli | Her glance drips of honey, ya leleli! (2) |
| Φορτωμένη με στολίδια | fortomeni me stolidia | Loaded with jewelry, |
| Σκουλαρίκια, δαχτυλίδια | skoularikia, dahtilidia | earrings and rings. |
| η καρδούλα μου την θέλει, για λελέλι | ee kardoula mou tin theli, ya leleli | My heart wants her, ya leleli! (2) |
| η καρδούλα μου την θέλει, για λελέλι | ee kardoula mou tin theli, ya leleli | My heart wants her, ya leleli! (2) |
| η καρδούλα μου την θέλει, για λελέλι | ee kardoula mou tin theli, ya leleli | My heart wants her, ya leleli! (2) |
| η καρδούλα μου την θέλει, για λελέλι | ee kardoula mou tin theli, ya leleli | My heart wants her, ya leleli! (2) |
- Many of the old songs use the word "Arapia" or "Arapina" and its variants liberally. The lyrics generally use it to refer to Arabic-speaking or Indian women. Unfortunately, in the modern Greek language, the term "Arapis" has become an offensive racial slur for people with dark skin. Although this newer definition now exists, it did not mean this when the lyrics were written. When newer generations listen to these older songs today, they realize the lyrics are referring to an innocent use of the word, and can enjoy the music in the way it was intended.
- The words "ya leleli" are not Greek. They are Arabic. The word "ya" means "O", such as "Ya Habibi" in Arabic would mean "Oh my darling". In Arabic, "leleli" is derived from the word "leil" for "night", but Arabic-speaking singers often improvise using the syllables "leleli" in the same way an English-language song might use nonsense syllables such as "tra la la".
- The word "odathes" probably comes from a Turkish word for a certain type of room. This is a summer room with an aestheic look reminiscent of 1,001 Nights.
- In Greek, if someone says a dancing woman resembles an eel (which is a type of fish), that is a very favorable compliment. It suggests that she can move her body sinuously, like the way an eel undulates its way through water. Other Greek words that can be used in the same way are the words for "snake" and "mermaid".
Translations of
Marika Ninou's Songs On This Site
Other translations of songs composed by Marika Ninou on this web site 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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