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 "Marinella" (which is a woman's name). Also included is a pronunciation guide for the Greek lyrics so you can sing along if you like.

The song "Marinella" was written and composed by the Rebetiko power couple known as Duo Harma. This famous and popular duet consisted of a loving married couple known by their stage name as Tolis and Litsa Harmas. Their real names were Apostolos Harmandas and Litsa Zerva.

ABOUT THE PHOTO: This photo shows Tolis and Litsa Harmas, known as Duo Harma.

Later, Marinella was performed by the legendary Greek Anatolian, Kyriaki Papadopoulou. Tolis Harmas discovered this rising star at a young age in the 1950s, and gave her the stage name Marinella (which she has been known as to this day). It was during this time when the legendary Stelios Kazantzidis saw her and fell in love with her. Marinella later joined Stelios on tours. They eventually got married, but unfortunately it led to divorce.

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.

Lyrics: Duo Harma (Tolis & Litsa Harmas)

Music: Duo Harma (Tolis & Litsa Harmas)

Original Artists: Duo Harma (Tolis & Litsa Harmas)

Has Also Been Recorded By:

• Harry Saroyan
• Marinella
• George Mgrdichian
• Delphi Perfomers
• Feenjon Group

Στίχοι: Ντούο Χάρμα (Τόλης & Λίτσα Χάρμας)

Μουσική: Ντούο Χάρμα (Τόλης & Λίτσα Χάρμας)

Πρώτη εκτέλεση: Ντούο Χάρμα (Τόλης & Λίτσα Χάρμας)

Greek Lyrics

Pronunciation

English Translation

Listen to Clip

Listen to Clip

Artist: Harry Saroyan
CD Title: Saroyan Sings An Oriental Bouquet

Listen to Clip

Artist: George Mgrdichian
CD Title: Now Sounds of the Middle East

Listen to Clip

Listen to Clip

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.