Filler
Photo of Shira

 

 

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

Μαρινέλλα
(Marinella)

 

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.

Duo Harma
Song: Marinella, 1957

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
Τραγούδι: Μαρινέλλα, 1957

Στίχοι: Ντούο Χάρμα (Τόλης & Λίτσα Χάρμας)

Μουσική: Ντούο Χάρμα (Τόλης & Λίτσα Χάρμας)

Πρώτη εκτέλεση: Ντούο Χάρμα (Τόλης & Λίτσα Χάρμας)

 

---------------

Listen to MP3 Clips of This Song

Note Sung by Duo Harma (original artists)
Note Sung by Harry Saroyan
Note Instrumental by George Mgrdichian
Note Sung by Delphi Performers on Sounds from Around the World: Greece
Note Sung by Feenjon Group

 

---------------

Lyrics

Greek Lyrics

Pronunciation

English Translation

Αγαπάω μια τσιγγάνα apapo mia tsigana I love a Roma girl
λυγερό κορμί ψηλή ligero kormi psili thin body and tall
που χει αμύγδαλα τα μάτια pou xi amigdala ta matia she has almond shaped eyes
και to μέλι στο φιλί ke to meli sto fili and honey in her kiss
που χει αμύγδαλα τα μάτια pou xi amigdala ta matia she has almond shaped eyes
και to μέλι στο φιλί ke to meli sto fili and honey in her kiss
     
Την ελένε Μαρινέλλα tin elene Marinella her name is Marinella
Και είναι η πρώτη κατσιβέλα ke ine ee proti katsivela and she is the first/best Roma
     
Οοοοοοο - ooohhhhhh Οοοοοοο - ooohhhhhh Οοοοοοο - ooohhhhhh
     
Μαρινέλλα, Μαρινέλλα Marinella, Marinella Marinella, Marinella
Έλα στο τσαντίρ μου έλα ela sto tsandir mou ela Come to my tent [typically Roma tent]
Έλα στο τσαντίρ μου έλα ela sto tsandir mou ela Come to my tent [typically Roma tent]
Μαρινέλλα, Μαρινέλλα Marinella, Marinella Marinella, Marinella
     
Σαν μαζεύει της τσιγγάνες San mazevi tis tsigannes As if you gather the Romas
Πω πω πω να της χαρώ Po po po na tis haro Oh oh oh so I admire / enjoy
Και της βάζει και χορεύουν Ke tis vazi kai horevoun And she makes them dance
Τσιφτετέλι το χορό tsifteteli to horo tsifteteli dance
Και της βάζει και χορεύουν Ke tis vazi kai horevoun And she makes them dance
Τσιφτετέλι το χορό tsifteteli to horo tsifteteli dance
     
Με τα ζίλια και τα ντέφια Me ta zilia kai ta defia With finger cymbals and tambourines
Παίρνουν βόλτες κάνουν κέφια Pernoun voltes kanoun kefia they are strolling and bringing joy
     
Οοοοοοο - ooohhhhhh Οοοοοοο - ooohhhhhh Οοοοοοο - ooohhhhhh
     
Μαρινέλλα, Μαρινέλλα Marinella, Marinella Marinella, Marinella
είσαι μούρλια, είσαι τρέλα ine mourlia trela You are mad, you are crazy
     
Την ελένε Μαρινέλλα tin elene Marinella Her name is Marinella
Και είναι η πρώτη κατσιβέλα ke ine ee proti katsivela and she is the best Roma
     
Οοοοοοο - ooohhhhhh Οοοοοοο - ooohhhhhh Οοοοοοο - ooohhhhhh
     
Μαρινέλλα, Μαρινέλλα Marinella, Marinella Marinella, Marinella
Έλα στο τσαντίρ μου έλα ela sto tsandir mou ela Come to my tent [typically Roma tent]

 

---------------

Where to Get Recordings of this Song

Mangas Axioprepis

Note

Listen to Clip

Artists: Duo Harma (Tolis and Litsa Harmas)
CD Title: Mangas Axioprepis
Saroyan Sings

Note

Listen to Clip

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

Now Sounds of the Middle East

Note

Listen to Clip

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

Sounds from Around the World

Note

Listen to Clip

Artist: Delphi Performers
CD Title: Sounds from Around the World: Greece
Belly Dancing at the Cafe Feenjon

Note

Listen to Clip

Artist: Feenjon Group
CD Title: Belly Dancing at the Cafe Feenjon

 

---------------

Translations of
Marinella's Songs On This Site

Translations on this web site of songs performed by Marinella include:

  • Glikia Felaha Klapse (Cry, My Sweet Village Woman). As a duet with Stelios Kazantzidis.
  • Ise Oi Zoi Mou (You Are My Life). As a duet with Stelios Kazantzidis.
  • Marinella (Marinella). Although she wasn't the original artist, Marinella's recording of this song was so popular that it led to "Marinella" becoming her nickname.
  • Mesa Sto Erimo Spitaki (Inside the Deserted Little Home). Uses the 1949 melody from Mohamed Abdel Wahab's song "Ashek El Roh"

 

---------------

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

 

 

---------------

Copyright Notice

This entire web site is copyrighted. All rights reserved.

All articles, images, forms, scripts, directories, and product reviews on this web site are the property of Shira unless a different author/artist is identified. Material from this web site may not be posted on any other web site unless permission is first obtained from Shira.

Academic papers for school purposes may use information from this site only if the paper properly identifies the original article on Shira.net using appropriate citations (footnotes, end notes, etc.) and bibliography. Consult your instructor for instructions on how to do this.

If you wish to translate articles from Shira.net into a language other than English, Shira will be happy to post your translation here on Shira.net along with a note identifying you as the translator. This could include your photo and biography if you want it to. Contact Shira for more information. You may not post translations of Shira's articles on anybody else's web site, not even your own.

If you are a teacher, performer, or student of Middle Eastern dance, you may link directly to any page on this web site from either your blog or your own web site without first obtaining Shira's permission. Click here for link buttons and other information on how to link.

 

 

Explore more belly dance info:

Top >
Belly Dancing >
Middle Eastern Culture >
Index to Middle Eastern Music Section

 

Share this page!

On Facebook
 

 

 Top > Belly Dancing > Middle Eastern Culture > Index to Middle Eastern Music Section

| Contact Shira | Links | Search this Site |