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Mar. 7, 2005 I know quite a few Greek songs, but most of them are unfamiliar to Americans I am sure. One that may be better known, though, is “Misirlóu” (Egyptian Girl), a truly beautiful Greek folksong that originated in Athens around 1920. As can be seen at the URL listed below, the nominal composer, Nick Roubanis, did not really write the song. I learned this song originally from the version sung by Theodore Alevizos around 1962. From that time till about a year ago, I never could find the Greek words again to review. Then last year, I got in touch with a Greek girl on Internet, who refreshed me on the Greek lyrics. I then realized that during the intevening years, a couple of mistakes had slipped into my wording, so I corrected myself. Now finally, just as I was writing this article, I found the lyrics in Greek letters on the web. Below I have given an English version, which is actually a complete rewrite, as well as my transcription of the Greek words, and my translation, which differs only very slightly from the translation given at the URL. I have spent quite a bit of time studying Greek, reading Greek books and visiting Greece. MISIRLÓU (English lyrics) Desert shadows creep across the purple sands. Natives kneel in prayer by their caravans. There, silhouetted under an eastern star, I see my long lost blossom of Shalimar. You, Misirlóu, are the moon and the sun, fairest one. Old temple bells are calling cross the sand. We’ll find our Kismet, answering love’s command. You, Misirlóu, are a dream of delight in the night. To an oasis, sprinkled by stars above, Heaven will guide us. Allah will bless our love. Ah, ah, Misirlóu MISIRLÓU (Transcription of Greek lyrics) Misirlú mu, i glikiá su i matiá Flóga mu ‘hi anápsi mes tin kardiá, Ah, yahabíbi, ah, yahaléli, ah, Ta dio su híli stázune méli, oimé. Refrain: Ah, Misirlú, magikí, eksotikí, omorfiá, Tréla tha mú’rthi, den ipoféro piá. Ah, tha se klépso mes ap’ tin Arapiá. Mavromáta Misirlú mu glikí, I zoí mu alázi m’éna filí. Ah yahabibi, ena filáki, ah, Ap to dikó su to stomatáki, oimé. Refrain TRANSLATION My Misirlóu, your sweet eyes Have lit a fire in my heart. Ah, my dear, ah, my love, ah, Your lips drip with honey, ah. Refrain: Ah, Misirlóu, magical, exotic, beautiful. Madness will come to me. I can bear it no longer. I’ll steal you from Araby. My dark-eyed wild Misirlóu. My life changes with a kiss. Ah, my dear, a little kiss, ah, From your sweet little mouth, ah. The following URL has the lyrics in Greek letters, the English lyrics that I have reproduced above, and some links to other websites about “Misirlóu”: http://www.reference.com/browse/wiki/Misirlou ------------ About the author Thomas Keyes: I have written two books: A SOJOURN IN ASIA (non-fiction) and A TALE OF UNG (fiction), neither published so far. I have studied languages for years and traveled extensively on five continents. Email: udikeyes@yahoo.com Comment on this article here! ------------ All articles are EXCLUSIVE to Useless-Knowledge.com and are not allowed to be posted on other websites. ARTICLE THIEVES WILL BE PROSECUTED! |
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