Eleftherios Menemenlis and Giorgos Tsanakas, 1907

Eleftherios Menemenlis (Ελευθέριος Μενεμενλής) and Yiorgos Tsanakas (Γιώργος Τσανάκας) recorded this song in Constantinople (where modern-day Istanbul is located) before the Greeks were driven out of Turkey. Some sources say it was released in 1907, whereas others say 1910 or 1912. There is also a recording in the same time period by the 1908 Smyrneiki Estoudiantina (Σμυρναίικη Εστουδιαντίνα), as well as a 1909 recording by the Elliniki Estoudiantina (Ελληνική Εστουδιαντίνα). Several more exist from this era as well.

This song comes from Asia Minor, which is the land mass where modern-day Turkey resides. Greeks and Turkish people lived among each other for hundreds of years. As a result, Turkish words sometimes appear in traditional songs such as this one that were part of folk culture for Greeks whose families came from the region.

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

1. The words "yianiyiorum ben" are Turkish, not Greek.
2. "Aman" is a Greek exclamation that can mean "Oh!" or "Oh my!" or "Oh boy!" Although it is spelled in the original Greek with an accent over the second "ά" (i.e., αμάν), some singers accent the first syllable. Listen carefully to the song to determine which it is for a given singer.
3. The words "seviyorum sen" are Pontian Turkish, not Greek. It's the dialect of Turkish spoken by the people from Pontus, which is the region to the south of the Black Sea. Regular Turkish would be "seviyorum seni".
4. "Little one" is not necessarily a reference to age. It can be an endearment between adults.
5. In ancient Greek mythology, Charon was the son of Erebus (darkness) and Nyx (goddess of the night). In modern Greek the word Haro (referencing Charon) is frequently in the same way the Grim Reaper or Death might be referenced in English. For example, "Htipise o Haros tin porta" means "Death was knocking on my door."
6. "Opa!" is a Greek exclamation that usually goes with enthusiasm, joy, or excitement.
7. This is one musician calling out to another musician named "Christos Arapakis" or "Mitsaki".
8. The word "coupes" actually translates to "mug". However, for this song it's referring to a glass cup.

Marika Papagika, 1928

Marika Papagika recorded her 1928 version of this song in the United States, in New York City.

This song comes from Asia Minor, which is the land mass where modern-day Turkey resides. Greeks and Turkish people lived among each other for hundreds of years. As a result, Turkish words sometimes appear in traditional songs such as this one that were part of folk culture for Greeks whose families came from the region.

This song contains a couple of words from Arabic. Greeks and people in present-day Arabic-speaking countries such as Syria, Lebanon, and Egypt have been living among each other for thousands of years. Many Greeks kept their Greek heritage alive within ethnic enclaves while speaking Arabic in public. Others acquired mixed language skills through marriage, etc. It is only natural that some Greek songs contain some Arabic words.

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

1. The word "coupes" actually translates to "mug". However, for this song it's referring to a glass cup.
2. "Aman" is a Greek exclamation that can mean "Oh!" or "Oh my!" or "Oh boy!" Although it is spelled in the original Greek with an accent over the second "ά" (i.e., αμάν), some singers accent the first syllable. Listen carefully to the song to determine which it is for a given singer.
3. The words "yianiyiorum ben" are Turkish, not Greek.
4. The words "seviyorum sen" are Pontian Turkish, not Greek. It's the dialect of Turkish spoken by the people from Pontus, which is the region to the south of the Black Sea. Regular Turkish would be "seviyorum seni".
5. In Arabic, "leli" is derived from the word "leil" for "night", and therefore "ya leli" would mean "O Night" in Arabic. Arabic-speaking singers often improvise using the syllables "leleli" in the same way an English-language song might use nonsense syllables such as "tra la la".

Kostas Karipis, 1928

Kostas Karipis recorded his 1928 version of this song in Athens, Greece.

This song comes from Asia Minor, which is the land mass where modern-day Turkey resides. Greeks and Turkish people lived among each other for hundreds of years. As a result, Turkish words sometimes appear in traditional songs such as this one that were part of folk culture for Greeks whose families came from the region.

This song contains a couple of words from Arabic. Greeks and people in present-day Arabic-speaking countries such as Syria, Lebanon, and Egypt have been living among each other for thousands of years. Many Greeks kept their Greek heritage alive within ethnic enclaves while speaking Arabic in public. Others acquired mixed language skills through marriage, etc. It is only natural that some Greek songs contain some Arabic words.

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

1. "Aman" is a Greek exclamation that can mean "Oh!" or "Oh my!" or "Oh boy!" Although it is spelled in the original Greek with an accent over the second "ά" (i.e., αμάν), some singers accent the first syllable. Listen carefully to the song to determine which it is for a given singer.
2. The words "yianiyiorum ben" are Turkish, not Greek.
3. The words "seviyorum sen" are Pontian Turkish, not Greek. It's the dialect of Turkish spoken by the people from Pontus, which is the region to the south of the Black Sea. Regular Turkish would be "seviyorum seni".
4. A "saz" is a stringed musical instrument from Asia Minor, which is where modern-day Turkey resides. According to Demetri Tee, a musician, the literal translation for "ikiteli" is "2 strings". It's a reference to instruments that use double courses of strings. It also refers to a particular style of playing the violin, where the second string is tuned on the nut, allowing both strings to be played together, yielding a sensual sound.
5. "Yalla" is an Arabic word which means, "Let's go!" or "Come on!"
6. The word "coupes" actually translates to "mug". However, for this song it's referring to a glass cup.
7. This is one musician calling out to another musician named "Karipi". The singer for this recording is Kostas Karipis, so this is probably one of his members of his band calling out to him.
8. This is a one of the musicians calling out to Yiannis Dragatsis (Γιάννης Δραγάτσης) the violinist. This violinist was also known as Ogdodakis (Ογδοντάκης). He came from a large family of musicians known as Ogdondakides (Ογδοντάκηδες).

"Yiamo" by Roza Eskenazi, 1934

Roza Eskenazi was a Greek Jew. She was very famous and respected in the mid 20th century. Her song titled "Yiamo" ("Oh Uncle") uses the same melody as "Tha Spaso Koupes", but has different lyrics. She accompanies herself by playing finger cymbals.

This song contains some phrases in Arabic. Greeks and people in present-day Arabic-speaking countries such as Syria, Lebanon, and Egypt have been living among each other for thousands of years. Many Greeks kept their Greek heritage alive within ethnic enclaves while speaking Arabic in public. Others acquired mixed language skills through marriage, etc. It is only natural that some Greek songs contain some Arabic words.

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

1. This refers to band member Agapio Tobouli (Αγάπιο Τομπούλη), who plays the oud (lute).
2. These phrases are not Greek words. They are Arabic. In the Syrian dialect of Arabic, "zalan" means "he's angry with me", and "zalani" means "she is angry with me". "Lei" a dialect version of "leish", meaning "Why?" "Amo" means "uncle", but can also be used as a respectful way to address a man who is not a family member.
3. "Ya Habibi" is not Greek. It's Arabic for "Oh, my darling" or "Oh, my sweetheart".
4. "Aman" is a Greek exclamation that can mean "Oh!" or "Oh my!" or "Oh boy!" Although it is spelled in the original Greek with an accent over the second "ά" (i.e., αμάν), some singers accent the first syllable. Listen carefully to the song to determine which it is for a given singer.
5. "Yalla" is not Greek. It's Arabic for "Let's go!" or "Come on!"
6. "Albi" is not Greek. It's Arabic for "my heart".
7. This is calling out to someone, probably a musician in the band, named "Lambro".
8. "Ya aini!" is not Greek. It's a very common Arabic expression which literally means "Oh my eyes!" In this song, where the narrator is professing love to someone else, it would mean something similar to "my darling" with the idea being, "You are just as important to me as my eyes!" or alternatively, "My eyes are appreciating your beauty".
9. "Sidi" is not Greek. It's an Arabic honorific, similar to "sir".
10. In Arabic, "leli" is derived from the word "leil" for "night", and therefore "ya leli" would mean "O Night" in Arabic. Arabic-speaking singers often improvise using the syllables "leleli" in the same way an English-language song might use nonsense syllables such as "tra la la".

"Matia Mou Megala" by Elvira Kakki, 1937

A song named "Matia Mou Megala" (My Big Eyes) by Elvira Kakki's uses the same melody as "Tha Spaso Koupes". She was a Jewish Greek singer. The lyrics for this version were written by Minos Matsas (Μίνως Μάτσας), with musical arrangement by Spiros Peristeris (Σπύρος Περιστέρης).

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

1. Can refer to either dark skin or dark hair.
2. "Aman" is a Greek exclamation that can mean "Oh!" or "Oh my!" or "Oh boy!" Although it is spelled in the original Greek with an accent over the second "ά" (i.e., αμάν), some singers accent the first syllable. Listen carefully to the song to determine which it is for a given singer.
3. "Yalla" is not Greek. It's Arabic for "Let's go!" or "Come on!"
4. The word "yavrum" appears in both Turkish and the Anatolian dialects of Greek, and mean "love".
5. "Opa!" is a Greek exclamation that usually goes with enthusiasm, joy, or excitement.

Kostas Roukounas, 1970's

This song comes from Asia Minor, which is the land mass where modern-day Turkey resides. Greeks and Turkish people lived among each other for hundreds of years. As a result, Turkish words sometimes appear in traditional songs such as this one that were part of folk culture for Greeks whose families came from the region.

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

1. "Aman" is a Greek exclamation that can mean "Oh!" or "Oh my!" or "Oh boy!" Although it is spelled in the original Greek with an accent over the second "ά" (i.e., αμάν), some singers accent the first syllable. Listen carefully to the song to determine which it is for a given singer.
2. The words "seviyorum sen" are Pontian Turkish, not Greek. It's the dialect of Turkish spoken by the people from Pontus, which is the region to the south of the Black Sea. Regular Turkish would be "seviyorum seni".
3. A "saz" is a stringed musical instrument from Asia Minor, which is where modern-day Turkey resides. According to Demetri Tee, a musician, the literal translation for "ikiteli" is "2 strings". It's a reference to instruments that use double courses of strings. It also refers to a particular style of playing the violin, where the second string is tuned on the nut, allowing both strings to be played together, yielding a sensual sound.
4. The word "coupes" actually translates to "mug". However, for this song it's referring to a glass cup.
5. The words "yianiyiorum ben" are Turkish, not Greek.

Eleftheria Arvanitaki, 1984

Eleftheria Arvanitaki released this song on the album Ελευθερία Αρβανιτάκη.

This song comes from Asia Minor, which is the land mass where modern-day Turkey resides. Greeks and Turkish people lived among each other for hundreds of years. As a result, Turkish words sometimes appear in traditional songs such as this one that were part of folk culture for Greeks whose families came from the region.

The lyrics contains a few words in Arabic. Greeks and people in present-day Arabic-speaking countries such as Syria, Lebanon, and Egypt have been living among each other for thousands of years. Many Greeks kept their Greek heritage alive within ethnic enclaves while speaking Arabic in public. Others acquired mixed language skills through marriage, etc. It is only natural that some Greek songs contain some Arabic words.

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

1. The word "coupes" actually translates to "mug". However, for this song it's referring to a glass cup.
2. "Aman" is a Greek exclamation that can mean "Oh!" or "Oh my!" or "Oh boy!" Although it is spelled in the original Greek with an accent over the second "ά" (i.e., αμάν), some singers accent the first syllable. Listen carefully to the song to determine which it is for a given singer.
3. The words "yianiyiorum ben" are Turkish, not Greek.
4. The words "seviyorum sen" are Pontian Turkish, not Greek. It's the dialect of Turkish spoken by the people from Pontus, which is the region to the south of the Black Sea. Regular Turkish would be "seviyorum seni".
5. In Arabic, "leli" is derived from the word "leil" for "night", and therefore "ya leli" would mean "O Night" in Arabic. Arabic-speaking singers often improvise using the syllables "leleli" in the same way an English-language song might use nonsense syllables such as "tra la la".

Hristos Dantis, 1996

Hristos Dantis' version of this song appeared as Track 6 on the album 18 Paradosiaka Kai Ena (Foni Voontos), written in Greek as 18 Παραδοσιακά Τραγούδια (Φωνή Βοώντος), which was released in 1996. Its musical style is that of rock Oriental.

This song comes from Asia Minor, which is the land mass where modern-day Turkey resides. Greeks and Turkish people lived among each other for hundreds of years. As a result, Turkish words sometimes appear in traditional songs such as this one that were part of folk culture for Greeks whose families came from the region.

The lyrics contains a few words in Arabic. Greeks and people in present-day Arabic-speaking countries such as Syria, Lebanon, and Egypt have been living among each other for thousands of years. Many Greeks kept their Greek heritage alive within ethnic enclaves while speaking Arabic in public. Others acquired mixed language skills through marriage, etc. It is only natural that some Greek songs contain some Arabic words.

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

1. The word "coupes" actually translates to "mug". However, for this song it's referring to a glass cup.
2. "Aman" is a Greek exclamation that can mean "Oh!" or "Oh my!" or "Oh boy!" Although it is spelled in the original Greek with an accent over the second "ά" (i.e., αμάν), some singers accent the first syllable. Listen carefully to the song to determine which it is for a given singer.
3. The words "yianiyiorum ben" are Turkish, not Greek.
4. The words "seviyorum sen" are Pontian Turkish, not Greek. It's the dialect of Turkish spoken by the people from Pontus, which is the region to the south of the Black Sea. Regular Turkish would be "seviyorum seni".
5. In Arabic, "leli" is derived from the word "leil" for "night", and therefore "ya leli" would mean "O Night" in Arabic. Arabic-speaking singers often improvise using the syllables "leleli" in the same way an English-language song might use nonsense syllables such as "tra la la".

Shantel, 2007

Shantel is the professional name for Stefan Hantel (Στεφαν Χαντελ), an artist who achieved his success in Turkey. He is of German descent. Shantel's version of this song is a modern club-style version with Jazz and Balkan influences, and it was released on the album Disko Partizani (Ντισκο Παρτιζανι). Shantel sings it in Greek, although there is some Turkish at the beginning. His recording also includes some female vocals by Canadian folk singer Brenna MacCrimmon.

This song comes from Asia Minor, which is the land mass where modern-day Turkey resides. Greeks and Turkish people lived among each other for hundreds of years. As a result, Turkish words sometimes appear in traditional songs such as this one that were part of folk culture for Greeks whose families came from the region.

The lyrics contains a few words in Arabic. Greeks and people in present-day Arabic-speaking countries such as Syria, Lebanon, and Egypt have been living among each other for thousands of years. Many Greeks kept their Greek heritage alive within ethnic enclaves while speaking Arabic in public. Others acquired mixed language skills through marriage, etc. It is only natural that some Greek songs contain some Arabic words.

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

1. There was an Ottoman army officer named Osman Aga in the 17th century who became famous through writing his autobiography while being held prisoner by the Austrians after the Ottomans' unsuccessful attempt to conquer Vienna. It is unclear whether this is the person the song lyrics were referring to.
2. The word "coupes" actually translates to "mug". However, for this song it's referring to a glass cup.
3. "Aman" is a Greek exclamation that can mean "Oh!" or "Oh my!" or "Oh boy!" Although it is spelled in the original Greek with an accent over the second "ά" (i.e., αμάν), some singers accent the first syllable. Listen carefully to the song to determine which it is for a given singer.
4. The words "yianiyiorum ben" are Turkish, not Greek.
5. The words "seviyorum sen" are Pontian Turkish, not Greek. It's the dialect of Turkish spoken by the people from Pontus, which is the region to the south of the Black Sea. Regular Turkish would be "seviyorum seni".
6. In Arabic, "leli" is derived from the word "leil" for "night", and therefore "ya leli" would mean "O Night" in Arabic. Arabic-speaking singers often improvise using the syllables "leleli" in the same way an English-language song might use nonsense syllables such as "tra la la".
7. A "saz" is a stringed musical instrument from Asia Minor, which is where modern-day Turkey resides. According to Demetri Tee, a musician, the literal translation for "ikiteli" is "2 strings". It's a reference to instruments that use double courses of strings. It also refers to a particular style of playing the violin, where the second string is tuned on the nut, allowing both strings to be played together, yielding a sensual sound.

"Koupes" by Marina Satti , 2016

The title for Marina Satti's version of this song with a club remix beat is "Koupes" (Κούπες). It appeared in 2016 on Buddha Bar Twenty Years, which was one of the Buddha Bar compilation albums, released by George V Records. The songs on this 3-disc set were selected by DJ Ravin and Bob Sinclair, and "Koupes" was featured as Track 15 on the second disc.

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

1. "Aman" is a Greek exclamation that can mean "Oh!" or "Oh my!" or "Oh boy!" Although it is spelled in the original Greek with an accent over the second "ά" (i.e., αμάν), some singers accent the first syllable. Listen carefully to the song to determine which it is for a given singer.
2. "Little one" is not necessarily a reference to age. It can be an endearment between adults.
3. The word "coupes" actually translates to "mug". However, for this song it's referring to a glass cup.