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

This page contains a translation into English of the lyrics to the Pontian song "Tin Patrida M' Ehasa" (Την Πατρίδα Μ' Έχασα), which was sung by Giannis Kourtidis and Ahileas Vasiliadis. 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 Pontus

This song's lyrics were created in the the Pontian dialect of Greek, whose roots lie in the language of ancient Greece rather than the Modern Greek spoken in the country Greece today. Pontian was the language spoken in Pontus. The Modern Greek language was never spoken in Pontus. In addition to having their own language, the majority of Pontians (including my great-grandparents) were also fluent in Ottoman Turkish.

Pontus is a region within modern-day Turkey that lies on the south side of the Black Sea. Since ancient times, Pontus covered a large mountainous region, and possessed great wealth, including silver mining. The Turkish people call this region Karadeniz.

Historically, Pontus consisted of a primarily Hellenic (Greek) population, although some other ethnic groups lived there as well. Due to invasion in the 17th century, this primarily Greek region became part of the Ottoman empire and remained part of it until the fall of the Ottoman regime after World War I. The overthrow of the empire led to the forced mass exodus of millions of Anatolian Greeks and other Christians.

To this day, there are many crypto Christian Pontians. If you visit the region, you will encounter many who still speak the Pontian language!

About this Song

This song comes from the Pontian region of Trapezounda (Τραπεζούντα), which is known today as Trabzon. It is located in the Black Sea (Karadeniz) region of present-day Turkey. Its lyrics are sung in the Pontic dialect of the Greek language.

There is also a beautiful Turkish version of this song, with the same melody but with different lyrics and meaning. The Turkish version, which has been recorded by many Turkish artists, is called "Ben Seni Sevduğumi", which I believe translates to "You will love me".

This gorgeous song was also the main soundtrack song for a Turkish drama series Sen Anlat Karadeniz (Σεν Ανλατ Καραντενιζ), which was televised in 2018.

Translator's Note

Although I am of Pontian Anatolian Greek heritage and grew up with the culture, arts and language, sadly I am not 100% fluent in the ancient Pontian language. I do, however, understand a lot, and I know our songs because I grew up with them. I like to ensure my translations are precise, so I collaborated with my Pontian mother, Evangelia Symeonidou-Bakis (Ευαγγελία Συμεωνίδου-Μπακη) to cross check, allowing me to provide you with the best accuracy!

About Giannis Kourtidis

Giannis Kourtidis is a prominent performer of traditional Pontian music. He was born in Thessaloniki in 1954, to parents originating from Pontos. He grew up in a purely Pontian village, and his family spoke the Pontic dialect of Greek in the home. At age 12, at a wedding in the village, someone pushed him forward to sing. He continued singing, starting with folk songs. His contact with first-generation refugees shaped his journey as an artist.

In 1993, Kourtidis opened an entertainment center, which he referred to as "the Temple of Pontus". It served as a hub of community life for Thessalonians, for about 10 years.

Among all the songs Kourtidis performed, his best-known is "Tin Patrida M' Ehasa".

ABOUT THE PHOTO: The photo shows Panayiota, the translator for this song, posing with Giannis Kourtidis.

About the Akadila

The lyrics of this song mention "monasteries without akadila". Akadila is the Pontic word for the Greek word kadilia (καντηλα). It translates to "vigil lamp" or "oil lamp". In Christian Greek Orthodoxy, our churches contain many kadilia. These liturgical lamps burn a wick in oil, rather than burning a candle. Many people also have them in their homes.

The kadilia can be hung, or it can have a flat bottom allowing it to sit on your counter. It usually contains holy oil and holy water.

A round object with a central prong known as a kadilithra (καντηλήθρα) floats in the votive cup. The kadilithra can be one of two shapes — it can either be shaped like a 3-point star, or it can be round. The top of the kadilithra is metal, and the bottom is covered with a backing made of fireproof cork-like material. The silver-plated metal on the top usually features Byzantine stamping and design. There is a center hole for lighting the wick.

The final piece is a fitilia (Φυτιλια), which is a long, thin piece made from wax. The color is usually either pink or tan.

The kandili is found in churches, monasteries, homes, and at Greek Orthodox cemeteries. In the USA, for fire hazard purposes, some state and local laws don't allow live fire.

In Greece, a kandili appears in almost every grave site. Family members pass it to light for their loved ones.

Song: Tin Patrida M' Ehasa (I Lost My Homeland), 1999

Lyrics: Hristos Adoniadis

Music: Kostas Siamidis

Original Artists: Giannis Kourtidis & Ahileas Vasiliadis

Has Also Been Recorded By:

• Kazım Koyuncu, 2004, in Turkish ("Ben Seni Sevduğumi")
• Şevval Sam and Kazim Koyuncu as a duet, 2008, in Turkish ("Ben Seni Sevduğumi"), on album Hayde
• Öykü Gürman, 2020, in Turkish ("Ben Seni Sevduğumi"), on album Öykü Gürman Akustik, Volume 1

Dance Style: Just for listening, not for dancing

Τραγούδι: Την Πατρίδα Μ' Έχασα, 1999

Στίχοι: Χρήστος Αντωνιάδης

Μουσική: Κώστας Σιαμίδης

Πρώτη Εκτέλεση: Γιάννης Κουρτίδης κ Αχιλλέας Βασιλειάδης

Άλλοι Ερμηνευτές:

• Καζιμ Κογιουντσου, 2004, Στα Τουρκικά ("Μπεν Σενι Σεβντιγιμ")
• Σιεβαλ Σαμ and Καζιμ Κογιουντσου, 2008, Στα Τουρκικά ("Μπεν Σενι Σεβντιγιμ"), on album Χαιντε
• Οϊκιού Γκιουρμάν, 2020, Στα Τουρκικά ("Μπεν Σενι Σεβντιγιμ")