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 "Ma Pou Na Pao" (Μα που να πάω), which was sung by Themis Adamantidis. Also included is a pronunciation guide for the Greek lyrics so you can sing along if you like.

Panayiota, the translator, offers this tip to dancers who may want to work with this song:

This song is intended for zeibekiko dance. I have seen many dancers using this type of music (and even hasapiko) for their Oriental (belly dance) show as well as trying to dance it in its folkloric form. As a 3rd generation folklorist, I strongly advise that you not shake your hips too much when using this type of music. I also strongly advise that you not use it as part of your full show routine. It really looks silly and is a major folkloric faux-paux. Save the sexy hips for Tsifteteli!

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 Themis Adamantidis

Themis Adamantidis is the stage name for Efthimios Themis Adamantidis. He is a renowned laiko singer who is very proud of his Pontian heritage, and quite often sings Pontian songs as part of his concerts.

Adamantidis was born in Athens. He began to take an interest in singing at age 14. His early influences were the music of Stelios Kazantzidis and Giannis Parios.

Young Adamantidis began singing with several prominent Greek vocalists, including Spiros Kalfopoulos, Anna Chrisafi, and Rena Eskenazi. They mentored him to help him launch his career. His big breakthrough came when he won a television talent competition called "Na ee Efkeria”. This show hosted by ERT, the Greek national public television station, was on the air from 1977 to 1983.

Panayiota, the translator, offers her personal thoughts about Adamantidis as follows:

Themis Adamantidis, in my opinion, is one of the greatest artists of our time. He is of Pontian (Greek Anatolian / Black Sea) descent and rose to fame as a young artist. I had the honor of performing at one of the nightclubs he was singing at in the late 1990s, in Greece. He was friends with my uncle Mimi, having met while working together on ships. Themis was able to take time off from work to enter the “Na i Efkaria” competition.

Lyrics: Iosif Sarasidis

Music: Iosif Sarasidis

Original Artist: Themis Adamantidis

Dance Style: Zeibekiko

Στίχοι: Ιωσήφ Σαρασίδης

Μουσική: Ιωσήφ Σαρασίδης

Greek Lyrics

Pronunciation

English Translation

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.