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 "Mia Melaxrini" (Μια μελαχρινή), which was originally sung by Giota Lydia (often spelled as Yiota Lidia), and later by Glykeria. The song title is sometimes spelled as "Mia Melaxroini". Also included is a pronunciation guide for the Greek lyrics so you can sing along if you like.

The same melody was used for an earlier (1922) Turkish song named "Usakli Kiz", which means "girl from the region of Usak of Turkey".

For more information about the laiko and rebetiko styles of music, see Introduction to Laiko / Rebetiko Music elsewhere on this web site.

The song title "Mia Melaxrini" means "A Dark Girl" in English. It can refer to either dark hair or dark skin color.

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 Yiota Lydia

Yiota Lydia, (sometimes spelled as Giota Lydia) was the stage name of Panayiota Mantaraki. She was born in Greece, in a Greek Anatolian refugee district known as Nea Ionia, on February 24, 1934, and came from a family of singers. Her parents were refugees from Smyrna, which today is known as Izmir in Turkey.

Lydia began her career as a singer at the young age of 11, and she became one of the most renowned singers in the laiko genre of music.

Lydia has been a very prolific artist, known for her work as a recording artist. She recorded over 1,000 songs of all musical styles, on 350 record albums. Her final album, Kathara Kai Xaspera, was released in 1986.

She married her husband, Stratos Attalidi, when she was only 14 years old. He was also an artist and composer, and he promoted her career as a singer. They often appeared together as a duet act. They had a son named Stavros.

About Glykeria

Glykeria Kotsoula is the sweetheart of Greece and one of the greatest legends of our time. She was born in 1953 in Serres, Greece. Her musical style is modern laika (rebetika & folk), while still always paying tribute to the great Rebetes of the past.

Panayiota, the translator of this song, offers this personal perspective on what Glykeria's music means to her:

Glykeria's music always has and always will inspire me both on and off the stage. I admire her simplicity and humbleness despite her fame and success. While most kids were learning standard lullabies, my mother would sing all her songs to me, since I was a baby. My mother Evangelia is a huge fan and loves singing her songs. On family road trips, my mother played all her tapes over and over again. Those cassette tapesare what made me fall in love with Laika/Rebetika style music at the age of ten. Thank you Glykeria, thank you Mama! Enjoy!

Most of Glykeria's records have gone platinum. She has gained fame and respect through out the world. Glykeria collaborates with many notable international musicians, including the Turkish living legend, Omar Farouk Tekbilek.

About Haris Alexiou

Another artist who recorded this song was Haris Alexiou. She was born in 1950 in Greece. She became successful as a rebetiko singer in the 1970's, and today is considered one of the most popular vocalists in Greece. She has recorded more than 30 albums of her own, and more than 20 of those have achieved either gold or platinum status.

Lyrics: Panayiotis Kokontinis

Music: Stellakis Perpiniadis

Original Greek Artist: Yiota Lydia (Giota Lydia)

Has Also Been Recorded By:

• Glykeria
• Haris Alexiou
• Eleftheria Arvanitaki
• Maria Soultatou

Στίχοι: Παναγιώτης Κοκοντίνης

Μουσική: Στελλάκης Περπινιάδης

Πρώτη εκτέλεση: Γιώτα Λύδια

Άλλες ερμηνείες:

• Γλυκερία
• Χάρις Αλεξίου
• Ελεύθερια Αρβανιτάκη
• Μαρία Σουλτατου

Greek Lyrics

Pronunciation

English Translation

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Instrumental Solo

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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.