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

Τα πεντοχίλιαρα
(Ta Pentohiliara)

(5,000 Drachmas)

 

This page contains a translation into English of the lyrics to the popular Greek laiko song "Ta Pentohiliara" (Τα πεντοχίλιαρα), which was sung by Glykeria. Also included is a pronunciation guide for the Greek lyrics so you can sing along if you like.

The song title refers to drachmas, which were the currency of Greece before it unfortunately adopted the Euro in 2001. The historical and extremely beautiful Drachma currency were later sold in flea markets for pennies.

ABOUT THE PHOTOS: These images show the front and back of the Greek 5,000-drachma note, the pentohiliaro.

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

Song lyrics are provided for educational purposes. If you like the song, please purchase either the album or a download from an authorized source.

Pentohiliara front

Pentohiliara back

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 tapes are 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.

Glykeria
Song: Ta Pentohiliara – The 5,000 Drachmas, 1985

Lyrics: Yiannis Karalis

Music: Yiannis Karalis

Original Artist: Glykeria
Τραγούδι: Τα πεντοχίλιαρα, 1985

Στίχοι: Γιάννης Καραλής

Μουσική: Γιάννης Καραλής

Πρώτη εκτέλεση: Γλυκερία

 

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Lyrics

Numbers in parentheses refer to footnotes that appear at the bottom of the translation.

Greek Lyrics

Pronunciation

English Translation

Τσιφτετέλια στην Αθήνα Tsiftetelia stin Athena Tsiftetelia (1) in Athens
με κλαρίνα και ρυθμούς me klarina ke rithmous with clarinets and rhythms
λίγα χρόνια κι είναι κρίμα liga hronia ke ine krima a few years and it’s a pity
να τα ζούμε με καημούς na ta zoume me kaimous to live them with sorrows
     

Chorus

Chorus

Chorus

Ωχ αμάν oh aman oh ohh
Ωχ αμάν oh aman oh ohh
γιατί τα πεντοχίλιαρα yati ta pendohiliara why the 5,000 Drachmas (2)
δεν είναι πετσετάκια den ine petsetakia aren’t they like paper napkins
να παίρνω με τη σέσουλα na perno me ti sesoula to take with a scoop
να γράφω ραβασάκια na grafo ravasakia to write off my bills
     

Chorus

Chorus

Chorus

Ωχ αμάν oh aman oh ohh
Ωχ αμάν oh aman oh ohh
γιατί τα πεντοχίλιαρα yati ta pendohiliara why the 5,000 Drachmas
δεν είναι πετσετάκια den ine petsetakia aren’t they like paper napkins
να παίρνω με τη σέσουλα na perno me ti sesoula to take with a scoop
να γράφω ραβασάκια na grafo ravasakia to write off my bills
     
Τα μεγάφωνα το λένε ta megafona to lene the megaphones are saying it
διαπασών το τραγουδούν diapason to tragoudoun blaring singing
φταίχτες είν' όσοι δε φταίνε ftehtes een’osi de ftene those at fault are those who are not at fault
γι' αυτό πίνουν και ξεχνούν ya afto pinoun k xehnoun for this reason they drink to forget
     

Chorus

Chorus

Chorus

Ωχ αμάν oh aman oh ohh
Ωχ αμάν oh aman oh ohh
γιατί τα πεντοχίλιαρα yati ta pendohiliara why the 5,000 Drachmas
δεν είναι πετσετάκια den ine petsetakia aren’t they like paper napkins
να παίρνω με τη σέσουλα na perno me ti sesoula to take with a scoop
να γράφω ραβασάκια na grafo ravasakia to write off my bills
     

Chorus

Chorus

Chorus

Ωχ αμάν oh aman oh ohh
Ωχ αμάν oh aman oh ohh
γιατί τα πεντοχίλιαρα yati ta pendohiliara why the 5,000 Drachmas
δεν είναι πετσετάκια den ine petsetakia aren’t they like paper napkins
να παίρνω με τη σέσουλα na perno me ti sesoula to take with a scoop
να γράφω ραβασάκια na grafo ravasakia to write off my bills
     

Instrumental Solo

Instrumental Solo

Instrumental Solo

     

Chorus

Chorus

Chorus

Ωχ αμάν oh aman oh ohh
Ωχ αμάν oh aman oh ohh
γιατί τα πεντοχίλιαρα yati ta pendohiliara why the 5,000 Drachmas
δεν είναι πετσετάκια den ine petsetakia aren’t they like paper napkins
να παίρνω με τη σέσουλα na perno me ti sesoula to take with a scoop
να γράφω ραβασάκια na grafo ravasakia to write off my bills
     

Chorus

Chorus

Chorus

Ωχ αμάν oh aman oh ohh
Ωχ αμάν oh aman oh ohh
γιατί τα πεντοχίλιαρα yati ta pendohiliara why the 5,000 Drachmas
δεν είναι πετσετάκια den ine petsetakia aren’t they like paper napkins
να παίρνω με τη σέσουλα na perno me ti sesoula to take with a scoop
να γράφω ραβασάκια na grafo ravasakia to write off my bills
  1. The word "tsifteteli" is the Greek word for belly dancing.
  2. The drachma was the currency of Greece before it unfortunately adopted the Euro in 2001. The historical and extremely beautiful Drachma currency were later sold in flea markets for pennies.

 

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Translations of
Glykeria's Songs On This Site

Other translations on this web site for songs performed by Glykeria Kotsoula 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:

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.

Panayiota

 

 

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