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 "Tha Ta Kapso Ta Lefta" (Θα τα κάψω τα λεφτά μου), which was sung by Manos Papadakis and Popi Poli (duet). Also included is a pronunciation guide for the Greek lyrics so you can sing along if you like.

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.

About this Song

This song was featured in the black-and-white Greek comedy movie Tha Ta Kapso Ta Lefta Mou in 1968. It was sung by Manos Papadakis and Popi Poli as a duet.

ABOUT THE PHOTO: The photo shows Manos Papadakis and Popi Poli together.

About Manos Papadakis

Manos Papadakis was born in Crete in 1941. His early musical influences came from his father, who had studied Byzantine music. At age 17, he moved to Athens and began his apprenticeship in music at "Romantika", which was a live music venue operated by Christos Kolokotronis and Akis Panou. He worked alongside many of the musical stars of the time, and in 1960 recorded his first song for Columbia Records, "For Hambibi Thani Talal".

A major milestone in his career was that of beginning to work with composer Vasilis Vasiliadis. Their first hit collaboration, "Mavros Kapnos", was released in 1967. It was followed shortly by another, "Tha ta Kapso ta Lefta", which became an even bigger hit and established Manos Papadakis as a top name in the Greek nightclub circuit. His next major hit was "Mia Dekara Den Axizi", in 1969.

A long career followed in which he worked with many stars of Greek music. He died in October 2018.

About Pythagoras Papastamatiou

Pythagoras Papastamatiou, often credited by just his first name of Pythagoras, was the lyricist for this song. He was born in 1930, to parents who had met in Asia Minor (modern-day Turkey) shortly before the Greek genocide.

In 1945, he moved to Athens in order to attend drama school at the Athens Conservatory. In addition to writing song lyrics, he was also a playwright.

Pythagoras died of a heart attack in 1979.

About Vasilis Vasiliadis

Vasilis Vasiliadis was born in Attica in 1927, the son of a refugee family. He launched his musical career as an accordion player at festivals. As his reputation grew, he was in increasing demand playing for recordings and nightclubs.

Weary of the grueling schedule, he accepted an opportunity to play for an orchestra. When he went downtown, he heard a harmonica for the first time, and was intrigued. He bought one to take back to Greece and incorporate into his music.

Vasiliadis composed his first song in 1964, and it became a hit. Hundreds of songs followed as he worked with nearly all the big names in the Greek music industry.

Vasiliadis died in 2010.

About Stelios Kazantzidis

Although Stelios Kazantzidis was not the original artist to perform this song, he did release his own version of it later.

The legendary Stelios Kazantzidis was born August 29, 1931 in Athens Greece, specifically Nea Ionia. He is among the most beloved musicians of our time. His music and words never get old. He was of Asia Minor and Pondian (Greek Anatolian) descent. Stelios or, as many love to call him, Stelara, was also loved due to his character and simplicity in life. Sadly, he did not make much from profit from his career as others took advanatage of him.

Stelios' music is all about love, immigration, pain, refugee, and poverty as is most music of this time. He is considered one of the fathers of Laiko music. Stelara has touched many people's lives. He remained so humble and simple until cancer took his last breath in 2001.

“I sing for the poor, the immigrants and the suffering people… generally for the lower social classes. They can’t go to the expensive night clubs. They buy my discs and they regard them as their Gospels.” – Stelios Kazantzidis

Personal notes by the translator:

The music of Stelios Kazantzidis is very dear to my heart. My grandmother and grandfather were often referred to as the young Kazantzidis and Marinella, while singing at family gatherings. Marinella was Stelios' first wife, and his biggest love.

If you want to impress Greeks, you need to remember Stelios' name. As much as Princess Diana was loved, so was Stelios. People cry black tears to his music.

Song: Tha ta Kapso ta Lefta – I Will Burn my Money, 1967

Lyrics: Pythagoras Papastamatiou

Music: Vasilis Vasiliadis

Original Artists: Manos Papadakis and Popi Poli (duet)

Has Also Been Recorded By:

• Stelios Kazantzidis

Τραγούδι: Θα τα κάψω τα λεφτά μου, 1967

Στίχοι: Πυθαγόρας Παπασταματίου

Μουσική: Βασίλης Βασιλειάδης

Πρώτη εκτέλεση: Μάνος Παπαδάκης & Πόπη Πόλη

Greek Lyrics

Pronunciation

English Translation

• Afti ee Nihta Meni (This Night Remains)
• Arapika Kormia (Arabian Bodies)
• Arapines Nihtes Magikes (Arab Women, Magical Nights)
• Den Se Lismono (I Haven't Forgotten You)
• Ego Ime Prosfiga Pedi (I Am a Refugee Child)
• Ehis Kormi Arapiko (You Have an Arabian Body)
• Exo Dertia Ke Kaimi (Out with Sorrows and Longing)
• Farrah (Farrah)
• Glikia Felaha Klapse (Cry, My Sweet Village Woman)
• Housara (Housara)
• Ine Glikos O Thanatos (Death is Sweet)
• Ise i Zoi Mou (You Are My Life)
• Ithela Na ‘Mouna Pasas (I Would Have Liked to be a Pasha)

• Mana Mou (My Mother)
• Mandoubala (Mandoubala)
• Me' Sti' Fotia Mou (Inside My Fire)
• Mesa Sto Erimo Spitaki (Inside the Deserted Little Home). Uses the 1949 melody from Mohamed Abdel Wahab's song "Ashek El Roh"
• Mi Mou Lete Ya Afti (Don't Tell Me About Her)
• Nina Nai Nai, also known as Siko Horepse Koukli Mou (Get Up and Dance, My Doll)
• Sa Xena Ime Ellinas (In Foreign Lands I'm a Greek)
• Siko Horepse Koukli Mou, also known as Nina Nai Nai (Get Up and Dance, My Doll)
• Tha ta Kapso ta Lefta (I Will Burn my Money)
• Ti Thelis Apo 'Menane (What Do You Want from Me?)
• Xousara (Xousara)

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.