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 "O Fandaros" (Ο Φαντάρος) Lyrics Translation into English), which was sung by Haris Alexiou. A later name for this song is "Ela Stin Parea Mou Fandare" (Έλα Στην Παρέα Μου Φαντάρε).

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

In Greece, military service is mandatory for men, but not women. Often, Greek men born in the diaspora opt to skip application for Greek citizenship because doing so would require them to perform the mandatory service.

Usually a man's service begins by age 18. A musician may be given the option to serve in the band, and someone who is headed to university may be allowed an extension to serve after graduation.

Soldiers are sworn in typically on a Sunday in front of friends, family and their lovers! Loyal girlfriends of teenage love patiently wait for their boyfriend or fiancé to be released and so… we have many love songs and political ones that mention soldiers. Typically all the soldier songs, regardless of release date, are hugely popular. And most people know these songs. Many who hear these are brought back to both happy and difficult memories.

Soldier-related songs are great for national holidays, as well as for any Greek parties such as birthdays or celebrations that may be honoring men who have served… even if they served in a nation other than Greece, such as the USA. If the song mentions soldiers and has a fun loving flavor, it can be an excellent choice for a belly dancer to incorporate into her playlist!

There have also been two different Turkish songs released with the same melody but different lyrics from each other. A 1997 version by Aşkın Nur Yengi featured lyrics by Şehrazat Kemalî Söylemezoğlu and was released under the name "Kanım Akmaz" on the album Haberci. A 2011 version by Bekir Ünlüataerl with the band Eşref Vakti was released under the name "Sevda Yolları" on the album Gözlerinin 7 Rengi.

About Haris Alexiou

Haris Alexiou 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.

Song: O Fandaros, also known as Ela Stin Parea Mou Fandare (The Soldier, also known as Join Our Company Soldier), 1979

Lyrics: Manolis Rasoulis

Music: Manos Loizos

Original Artist: Haris Alexiou

Has Also Been Recorded By:

• Aşkın Nur Yengi, 1997, in Turkish ("Kanım Akmaz").
• Bekir Ünlüataerl, 2011, in Turkish ("Sevda Yolları"). On album Gözlerinin 7 Rengi

Dance Style: Belly Dance

Τραγούδι: Ο Φαντάρος or Έλα Στην Παρέα Μου Φαντάρε, 1979

Στίχοι: Μανώλης Ρασούλης

Μουσική: Μάνος Λοίζος

Πρώτη Εκτέλεση: Χάρις Αλεξίου

Άλλοι Ερμηνευτές:

• Ασκιουν Νουρ Γενγκι, 1997, Στα Τουρκικά ("Κανιμ Ακμαζ")
• Μπεκιρ Ιουνλιουαταερλ, 2011, Στα Τουρκικά ("Σεβντα Γιολλαρι")

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