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 "Kalimera Ilie" (Καλημέρα Ήλιε), which was sung by Kostas Smokovitis and Aleka Aliberti. Sometimes the song title is spelled as "Kalimera Hlie".

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 this Song

This song should never be used for belly dancing because of its political associations.

This song is meant to represent a new phase for the Greek people. A better future.

"Kalimera Hlie" was released in 1973, appearing in the Greek film Mavro-Aspro (Black-White) which made its debut that year. Around the time the song was released, students at the Polytechnic Institute of Athens were protesting Greece's military dictatorship. On November 17 of that year, tanks entered the University grounds, killing countless protesting students. Even today, decades later, Greeks still reflect on that day with sorrow.

In the song's lyrics, you will find a female Greek name, Mirsini. Mirsini Loïzos is the daughter of the composer of this song, Manos Loïzos.

In the 1980's, PASOK decided to use this song as their anthem. A rumor says that in 2011 Mirsini Loïzos legally forbade the Greek political party known as P.A.S.O.K. (ΠΑΣΟΚ) from ever playing her father's music due to her disapproval of the government's policy. Her decision was understandable, because many involved in politics also wanted to assign false political associations to Mirsini Loïzos.

About Kostas Smokovitis

Kostas Smokovitis, the original artist for this song, was born in Greece in 1951. As a child, he taught himself to play accordion and sang for his friends. He grew up around music with his family, and through attending the Greek folk festivals in the area. In 1972 he won first prize in a singing competition, the Panhellenic Exhibition of Lamia. This led to an audition with a record company, and he released his first album in 1973. Smokovitis also enjoyed a thriving career as an actor.

About Manos Loïzos

Manos Loïzos was a Greek Cypriot composer. He was born in Alexandria, Egypt to immigrant parents. He moved to Athens as a teen-ager to pursue his education, but abandoned his studies in order to pursue a musical career. He was a self-taught musician, with no formal training.

Although Loïzos began recording in the 1960's, he didn't achieve a high level of success until the mid-1970's. From 1968 through 1980, he released nine studio albums. A tenth album featuring his music was released posthumously. It was a compilation of previously unreleased recordings made by Loïzos sporadically throughout his career.

Song: Kalimera Ilie (Good Morning, Sun), 1973

Lyrics: Manos Loïzos

Music: Manos Loïzos

Original Artists: Kostas Smokovitis, Aleka Aliberti

Music Style: Entehno

Album: Kalimera Hlie

Τραγουδι: Καλημέρα Ήλιε, 1973

Μουσική: Μάνος Λοίζος

Στίχοι: Μάνος Λοίζος

Πρώτη εκτέλεση: Κώστας Σμοκοβίτης, Αλέκα Αλιμπέρτη

Είδος Μουσικής: Έντεχνο

Άλμπουμ: Καλημέρα Ήλιε