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 "Mesa Sto Erimo Spitaki" (Μέσα Στο Έρημο Σπιτάκι), which was sung as a duet by Stelios Kazantzidis and Marinella. Also included is a pronunciation guide for the Greek lyrics so you can sing along if you like.

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

Those of us from regions that speak Greek, Arabic, and Turkish have exchanged countless songs with each other through licensing the music and creating lyrics in our own languages. These include both current pop music and classics.

The song translated on this page is an example of one – it originally appeared in Egypt as "Ashek El Roh" (Ασεκ Ελ Ροχ) in 1949, on the album Aghany Film Ghazl El Banat (Αγανι Φιλμ Γκαζλ Ελ Μπανατ).

ABOUT THE PHOTO: The photo shows Mohamed Abdel Wahab, the composer of the original Egyptian version of this song.

The Greek version of this song was released under the name "Mesa Sto Erimo Spitaki" as a duet by Stelios Kazantzidis and Marinella.

About Stelios Kazantzidis

The legendary Stelios Kazantzidis was born August 29, 1931 in Athens Greece, specifically Nea Ionia. He is among the most beloved musicians of our time. His music and words never get old. He was of Asia Minor and Pondian (Greek Anatolian) descent. Stelios or, as many love to call him, Stelara, was also loved due to his character and simplicity in life. Sadly, he did not make much from profit from his career as he was taken advantage of.

ABOUT THE PHOTO: Stelios Kazantzidis and Marinella.

Stelios' music is all about love, immigration, pain, refugee, and poverty as is most music of this time. He is considered one of the fathers of Laiko music. Stelara has touched many people's lives. He remained so humble and simple until cancer took his last breath in 2001.

“I sing for the poor, the immigrants and the suffering people… generally for the lower social classes. They can’t go to the expensive night clubs. They buy my discs and they regard them as their Gospels.” – Stelios Kazantzidis

In 1964, Kazantzidis married an up-and-coming young singer, Kyriaki Papadopoulou, who used the stage name of Marinella. Unfortunately, the marriage eventually ended in divorce.

Personal notes by the translator:

The music of Stelios Kazantzidis is very dear to my heart. My grandmother and grandfather were often referred to as the young Kazantzidis and Marinella, while singing at family gatherings. Marinella was Stelios' first wife, and his biggest love.

If you want to impress Greeks, you need to remember Stelios' name. As much as Princess Diana was loved, so was Stelios. People cry black tears to his music.

About Marinella

Marinella was one of the original artists for this song, in a duet with her partner Stelios Kazantzidis.

Marinella's real name was Kyriaki Papadopoulou. She was born in Thessaloniki, Greece, the daughter of refugees from Constantinople (present-day Istanbul). The famous singer-songwriter Tolis Harmas discovered this rising star at a young age in the 1950s, and gave her the stage name Marinella, inspired by his song of that title. It was during this time when Stelios Kazantzidis saw her and fell in love with her. Marinella later joined Stelios on tours. They eventually got married, and in the eyes of many they were the greatest duet in Greece, unsurpassed even today.

Unfortunately, the marriage didn't last, and they divorced in 1966. Marinella then went on to launch a solo career.

Marinella is one of the greatest living legends of Greece still actively performing, popular, and still very relevant in the Greek music scene.

ABOUT THE PHOTO: Stelios Kazantzidis and Marinella on their wedding day.

Song: Mesa Sto Erimo Spitaki (Inside the Deserted Little Home), 1961

Lyrics: Stelios Kazantzidis

Music: Mohamed Abdel El Wahab

Original Artists: Stelios Kazantzidis and Marinella, accompanied by a large orchestra with bouzouki and guitar by Lakis Karnezis and Kostas Papadopoulos.

Has Also Been Recorded By:

• Mohamed Abdel Wahab, 1949, in Arabic ("Ashek El Roh")
• Giorgos Dalaras and Glykeria, 1984

Dance Style: Belly Dance

Album: Mesa Sto Erimo Spitaki (single)

Τραγούδι: Μέσα Στο Έρημο Σπιτάκι, 1961

Στίχοι: Στέλιος Καζαντζίδης

Μουσική: Μοχαμεντ Αμπντελ Ουαχαμπ

Πρώτη Εκτέλεση: Στέλιος Καζαντζίδης κ Κυριακή Μαρινέλλα Παπαδοπούλου, accompanied by a large orchestra with bouzouki and guitar by Λάκης Καρνέζης and Κώστας Παπαδόπουλος.

Άλλοι Ερμηνευτές:

• Γιώργος Νταλάρας k Γλυκερία, 1984

Χορός: Οριεντάλ, Χορό Της Κοιλιάς, Ανατολίτικος Χορός, Τσιφτετέλι, Χανούμικο, Κελικός Χορός

Άλμπουμ: Μέσα Στο Έρημο Σπιτάκι (single)

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.