Misirlou – Glikeria
Posted on 21. Jan, 2010 in Rebetika Songs
Glikeria sings Misirlou, one of the most known Greek songs. Misirlou is a name, thus, cannot be translated.
Misirlou is an Egyptian woman, a woman from the “magic East”, who enchants a man of different religion and culture. This cross religious love is the subject of the song which belongs to several different genres: you will find it under the “Rebetika” songs, the songs from Asia Minor, the tsifteteli music and aptaliko music. It’s a combination of Greek and Eastern melody and it’s very appealing to the Greeks and Middle Eastern people.
What is mostly interesting about Misirlou is that it became worldwide known not due to the amazing performances of the Greek singers who have sung it throughout the years, but because it was the main theme in one of the most successful Hollywood movies, Pulp Fiction. Who ever saw the movie remembers John Travolta and Uma Thurman dancing the remix of an oriental song… this is Misirlou.
You can hear Misirlou today in many different versions and in many different languages, such as Arabic, Turkish, Yiddish and even English.
Lyrics, Music: Nick Roubanis
Performed by: Glikeria
Misirlou – Glikeria – English Lyrics
My Misirlou, your sweet eyes
Have lit a flame in my heart
Ah ya habibi, ah ya leleli, ah
Honey drips from your lips
Ah Misirlou, your magical exotic beauty
Will drive me crazy, I can’t stand it anymore
Ah I will steal you from Arabia
My black-eyed crazy Misirlou
My life changes with a kiss
Ah ya habibi, with a little kiss, ah
From the little mouth of yours, oh!
Misirlou – Glikeria – Greek Lyrics
Μισιρλου – Γλυκερια – Ελληνικοι στιχοι
Μισιρλού μου, η γλυκιά σου η ματιά
φλόγα μου ‘χει ανάψει μες στην καρδιά,
αχ γιαχαμπίμπι, αχ γιαλελέλι, αχ
τα δυο σου χείλι στάζουνε μέλι, οϊμέ.
Αχ, Μισιρλού, μαγική ξωτική ομορφιά,
τρέλα θα μου ‘ρθει, δεν υποφέρω πια,
αχ, θα σε κλέψω μέσ’ απ’ την Αραπιά.
Μαυρομάτα Μισιρλού μου τρελή
η ζωή μου αλλάζει μ’ ένα φιλί,
αχ γιαχαμπίμπι, μ’ ένα φιλάκι, αχ
απ’ το δικό σου το στοματάκι, οϊμέ.
