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Μαρία Με Τα Κίτρινα
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This page contains a translation into English of the lyrics to the popular Greek song "Maria Me Ta Kitrina" (Μαρία Με Τα Κίτρινα), which was sung by Dimitra Galani. 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 the Song"Maria Me Te Kitrina" is a popular laiko (λαικό) song that originated on the Greek mainland as folk music (dimotika). The title means "Maria wearing yellow," and can refer to her jewelry, shoes, or decoration on her clothing. It later became part of the popular mainstream Greek music genre. In the early 1970's, this song was remixed and re-released by Vasilis Dimitriou (Βασίλης Δημητρίου). Some say the songwriter was not Vasilis Dimitriou. Many sources list it as "Traditional Song", meaning the song is so old nobody can accurately prove who is the original creator to receive credit. Although I do agree that Dimitriou was in fact responsible for the more laiko sounding flavor. The heavy demotic (mainland Greek folk) music features a completely different sound and instruments! Among the very first to sing the modernized version was Dimitra Galani (Δήμητρα Γαλάνη). The title of this song turned into a funny slogan in mass media and gossip magazines as it teases about infidelity. It was a bit scandalous, yet humorous, at a time when people were still mostly conservative. The song has been performed by many other artists as well. Ayla Algan recorded it as a single with Turkish lyrics in 1973, under the title "Komşunun Oğlu". The Turkish lyrics were written by Ülkü Aker. |
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| Song: Maria Me Ta Kitrina (Maria With The Yellow), 1971
Lyrics: Vasilis Dimitriou Music: Vasilis Dimitriou Original Artist: Dimitra Galani Album: Dimitra Galani Has Also Been Sung By:
Dance Style: Syrtos |
Άλμπουμ: Δήμητρα Γαλάνη
Τραγούδι: Μαρία Με Τα Κίτρινα, 1971 Στίχοι: Βασίλης Δημητρίου Μουσική: Βασίλης Δημητρίου Πρώτη Εκτέλεση: Δήμητρα Γαλάνη |
Lyrics
Numbers in parentheses refer to footnotes that appear at the bottom of the translation.
Greek Lyrics |
Pronunciation |
English Translation |
| Μαρία με τα κίτρινα | maria me ta kitrina | Maria who is wearing yellow, |
| ποιον αγαπάς καλύτερα |
pion agapas kalitera | whom do you love better, |
| ποιον αγαπάς καλύτερα |
pion agapas kalitera | whom do you love better, |
| τον άνδρα σου ή το γείτονα? |
ton andra sou ee to yitona | your husband or your neighbor? |
| Μαρία με τα κίτρινα |
maria me ta kitrina | Maria who is wearing yellow, |
| ποιον αγαπάς καλύτερα |
pion agapas kalitera | whom do you love better, |
| ποιον αγαπάς καλύτερα |
pion agapas kalitera | whom do you love better, |
| τον άνδρα σου ή το γείτονα? | ton andra sou ee to yitona | your husband or your neighbor? |
| Τον άντρα μου τον αγαπώ | ton andra mou ton agapo | My husband, I love |
| το γείτονα καλύτερα | to yitona kalitera | the neighbor more [better]. |
| Τον άντρα μου τον αγαπώ | ton andra mou ton agapo | My husband, I love |
| το γείτονα καλύτερα | to yitona kalitera | the neighbor more [better]. |
| Μαρία με τα κίτρινα |
maria me ta kitrina | Maria who is wearing yellow, |
| ποιον αγαπάς καλύτερα |
pion agapas kalitera | whom do you love better? |
| ποιον αγαπάς καλύτερα |
pion agapas kalitera | Whom do you love better? |
| τον άνδρα σου ή το γείτονα? | ton andra sou ee to yitona | Your husband or your neighbor? |
Instrumental |
Instrumental |
Instrumental |
| Μαρία με τα κίτρινα | maria me ta kitrina | Maria who is wearing yellow, |
| ποιον αγαπάς καλύτερα |
pion agapas kalitera | whom do you love better, |
| ποιον αγαπάς καλύτερα |
pion agapas kalitera | whom do you love better, |
| τον άνδρα σου ή το γείτονα? |
ton andra sou ee to yitona | your husband or your neighbor? |
| Μαρία με τα κίτρινα |
maria me ta kitrina | Maria who is wearing yellow, |
| ποιον αγαπάς καλύτερα |
pion agapas kalitera | whom do you love better, |
| ποιον αγαπάς καλύτερα |
pion agapas kalitera | whom do you love better, |
| τον άνδρα σου ή το γείτονα? | ton andra sou ee to yitona | your husband or your neighbor? |
| Να γίνει ο άντρας μάρμαρο | na yini o andras marmaro | May the my husband become marble |
| κaι ο γείτονας τριαντάφυλλο |
ke o yitonas triandafilo | and the neighbor a rose, |
| για να πατώ στο μάρμαρο |
ya na pato sto marmaro | so I can step on the marble, |
| να κόβω το τριαντάφυλλο | na kovo to triandafilo | so I can cut the rose. |
| Μαρία με τα κίτρινα | maria me ta kitrina | Maria who is wearing yellow, |
| ποιον αγαπάς καλύτερα |
pion agapas kalitera | whom do you love better, |
| ποιον αγαπάς καλύτερα |
pion agapas kalitera | whom do you love better, |
| τον άνδρα σου ή το γείτονα? |
ton andra sou ee to yitona | your husband or your neighbor? |
| Μαρία με τα κίτρινα |
maria me ta kitrina | Maria who is wearing yellow, |
| ποιον αγαπάς καλύτερα |
pion agapas kalitera | whom do you love better, |
| ποιον αγαπάς καλύτερα |
pion agapas kalitera | whom do you love better, |
| τον άνδρα σου ή το γείτονα? | ton andra sou ee to yitona | your husband or your neighbor? |
| Μαρία με τα κίτρινα |
maria me ta kitrina | Maria who is wearing yellow, |
| ποιον αγαπάς καλύτερα |
pion agapas kalitera | whom do you love better, |
| ποιον αγαπάς καλύτερα |
pion agapas kalitera | whom do you love better, |
| τον άνδρα σου ή το γείτονα? | ton andra sou ee to yitona | your husband or your neighbor? |
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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