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Ο Ταυρομάχος Ξεψυχά
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This page contains a translation into English of the lyrics to the popular Greek song "O Tavromahos Xepsiha" (Ο Ταυρομάχος Ξεψυχά), which was sung by Giota Lydia. 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 SongThose 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 "Habibi Lasmar" (Χαμπιμπι Λασμαρ), composed by Mohamed Abdel Wahab. 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, released in 1971, brings a different flavor, with bouzouki and flamenco influence. It could be appropriate for dancers wanting to create an Oriental-flamenco fusion piece. It features Giota Lydia as vocalist, with Kostas Papadopoulos and Lakis Karnezis on bouzouki. |
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About Giota LydiaYiota 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. |
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Song: O Tavromahos Xepsiha (The Bullfighter Is Dying), 1971 Lyrics: Kostas Virvou Music: Mohamed Abdel Wahab and Stratos Attalidi Original Artist: Giota Lydia. with Kostas Papadopoulos and Lakis Karnezis on bouzouki Has Also Been Recorded By:
Dance Style: Belly dance with flamenco fusion Album: Simeron S' Afto To Disko |
Τραγούδι: Ο Ταυρομάχος Ξεψυχά, 1971 Στίχοι: Κώστας Βίρβου Μουσική: Μοχαμεντ Αμπντελ Ουαχαμπ & Στράτος Ατταλίδη Πρώτη Εκτέλεση: Παναγιώτα Μανταράκη (Γιώτα Λύδια) Μπουζούκια: Κώστας Παπαδόπουλος, Λάκης Καρνέζης Άλλοι Ερμηνευτές:
Άλμπουμ: Σήμερον Σ' Αυτό Το Δίσκο |
Lyrics
Numbers in parentheses refer to footnotes that appear at the bottom of the translation.
Greek Lyrics |
Pronunciation |
English Translation |
| Κλάψτε ματάκια μου φτωχά | klapste matakia mou ftoha | Cry, my poor eyes, |
| ο ταυρομάχος ξεψυχά | o tavromahos xepsiha | the bull fighter is dying |
| γιατί πληγώθηκε βαριά | yati pligothike varia | because he got deeply wounded |
| μεσ' στην θλιμμένη του καρδιά | mes' stin thlimeni tou kardia | in his sad heart. |
Chorus |
Chorus |
Chorus |
| Ο ταυρομάχος μου | o tavromahos mou | My bullfighter |
| βαριά χτυπήθηκε | varia htipithike | was badly injured, |
| και η μαύρη μοίρα του | ke ee mavri mira tou | and his black fate |
| δε' μας λυπήθηκε | de' mas lipithike | didn't disappoint us. |
| μα όπως ζήσαμε μαζί | ma opos zisame mazi | But as we lived together, |
| θα ξεψυχήσουμε μαζί | tha xepsihisoume mazi | we will die (1) together. |
| Το αίμα τρέχει σαν νερό | to ema trehi san nero | The blood runs like water, |
| μα να τον σώσω δε' μπορώ | ma na ton soso de' boro | but I can't save him. |
| μονάχα για στερνή φορά | monaha ya sterni fora | Only for a short moment, |
| θα τον φιλήσω τρυφερά | tha ton filiso trifera | I will kiss him tenderly. |
Chorus |
Chorus |
Chorus |
| Ο ταυρομάχος μου | o tavromahos mou | My bullfighter |
| βαριά χτυπήθηκε | varia htipithike | was badly injured, |
| και η μαύρη μοίρα του | ke ee mavri mira tou | and his black fate |
| δε' μας λυπήθηκε | de' mas lipithike | didn't disappoint us. |
| μα όπως ζήσαμε μαζί | ma opos zisame mazi | But as we lived together, |
| θα ξεψυχήσουμε μαζί | tha xepsihisoume mazi | we will die together. |
| Όπως τον έχω αγκαλιά | opos ton eho agalia | Just as I have him in my embrace, |
| μου ρίχνει μια στερνή ματιά | mou rihni mia sterni matia | he gives me a stern look |
| και με παράπονο πικρό | ke me parapono pikro | and with bitter complaint (2) |
| μου λέει γεια σου, σ' αγαπώ | mou lei ya sou, s' agapo | he tells me "Hello, I love you." |
Chorus |
Chorus |
Chorus |
| Ο ταυρομάχος μου | o tavromahos mou | My bullfighter |
| βαριά χτυπήθηκε | varia htipithike | was badly injured, |
| και η μαύρη μοίρα του | ke ee mavri mira tou | and his black fate |
| δε' μας λυπήθηκε | de' mas lipithike | didn't disappoint us. |
| μα όπως ζήσαμε μαζί | ma opos zisame mazi | But as we lived together, |
| θα ξεψυχήσουμε μαζί | tha xepsihisoume mazi | we will die (1) together. |
| μα όπως ζήσαμε μαζί | ma opos zisame mazi | But as we lived together, |
| θα ξεψυχήσουμε μαζί | tha xepsihisoume mazi | we will die (1) together. |
- Literally, it says "lose our soul" together. The word "Psihi" means soul. The end result of losing the soul is death, but the wording of "the soul leaving" is more powerful.
- He isn't literally complaining, this is more like pouting.
Translations of
Giota Lydia's (Yiota Lydia's) Songs On This Site
Translations on this web site of songs performed by Giota Lydia (Yiota Lydia) include:
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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:
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