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

Ta Mavra Matia Sou
(Your Black Eyes)

 

by Manolis Aggelopoulos

 

This page contains a translation into English of the lyrics to the Greek hit song "Τα μαύρα μάτια σου" ("Ta Mavra Matia Sou"), which was made popular by Manolis Aggelopoulos. Also included is a pronunciation guide for the Greek lyrics so you can sing along if you like.

The song "Ta Mavra Matia Sou" is considered the anthem of the Greek Romany people (Gypsies), and is one of the top songs ever for all Greeks to use for dancing Greek tsiftetelli.

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 Manolis Aggelopoulos

Manolis Aggelopoulos was a Greek legend. He was born in 1939 in northern Greece, to a Romany family. As a child, he traveled throughout Greece with his family's caravan selling everything from carpets to watermelons. The caravan trucks contained a microphone, so young Aggelopoulos broadcast his singing over the loudspeakers along the way.

His big break came in 1959 when he recorded his first 45 rpm vinyl record, bringing the mix of Greek-Gypsy-Arabic fusion into the Greek music scene. For Greeks and Greek-Romany he was a superstar. His funeral in 1989 was massive, and people cried for 3 days.

Manolis Aggelopolous

Greek Lyrics: Maro Bizani (Μάρω Μπιζάνη)

Original Music: Mohamed Abdel Wahab.

Adapted for the Greek version by Manolis Aggelopoulos (Μανώλης Αγγελόπουλος), possibly in collaboration with Nakis Petridis (Νάκης Πετρίδης). Released in 1978.

Has Also Been Recorded By:

  • Nilüfer Yumlu (in Turkish) as "Ta Uzak Yollardan" with Turkish lyrics by Ülkü Aker. On the album Sensiz Olmaz, 1982
  • Selçuk Ural (in Turkish) as "Affet Ne Olur Beni", 1982
  • Zafiris Melas (in Greek) as "Ta Mavra Matia Sou" with Greek lyrics. 1990.
  • Erbey Feat. Dj Elize as "Ta Uzak Yollardan" with Turkish lyrics by Ülkü Aker, 2018

 

 

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Listen to MP3 Clips of This Song

Note

From the CD Belly Dancing with Amira Mor

Note Instrumental by Mediterranean Raqs Band (Saqra)
Note

Sung by George Abdo

 

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Lyrics

Greek Lyrics

English Translation

Mi figis Don't leave
ke pote mi m'arnithis and never forget me
   
Ta mavra matia sou Your black eyes
otan ta vlepo me zalizoune When I see them I get dizzy
ke tin kardia mu sigklonizoune. and my heart is broken.
Otan ta vlepo mu thimizoune When I see them, it reminds me
kapia agapi mu palia. of an old love.
   
Mesa sta matia sou Inside your eyes
kitazo kini pou agapousa mexri htes I see her that I loved until yesterday,
ekini pou anikse sta stithia mou pliges. she who opened wounds in my chest.
Ta mavra matia sou m'anaboun pirkagies Your black eyes are setting me on fire.
   
Ta mavra matia sou Your black eyes
otan ta vlepo me zalizoune When I see them I get dizzy
ke tin kardia mu sigklonizoune. and my heart is broken.
Otan ta vlepo mu thimizoune When I see them, it reminds me
kapia agapi mu palia. of an old love.

 

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Where to Get Recordings of this Song

Amira Mor

Note

Listen to Clip

Artist: Amira Mor
CD Title: Belly Dancing with Amira Mor

Mediterranean Raqs Band

Note

Listen to Clip

Artist: Mediterranean Raqs Band
CD Title: Saqra's Dances

Web Site: www.saqra.net

Best of George Abdo

Note

Listen to Clip

Artist: George Abdo
CD Title: Belly Dance! The Best of George Abdo & the Flames of Araby

This version is the same as the version that appears on The Magic of Belly Dancing by George Abdo.

Magic of Belly Dancing

Note

Listen to Clip

Artist: George Abdo
CD Title: The Magic of Belly Dancing

This version is the same as the version that appears on Belly Dance! The Best of George Abdo & the Flames of Araby.

 

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Translations of
Manolis Aggelopoulos' Songs On This Site

Translations of songs performed by Manolis Aggelopoulos on this web site include:

 

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About the Translator

This translation was created by Maria Aya.

 

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Copyright Notice

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