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

μαστικάκι, μαστικάκι
(Mastikaki, Mastikaki)

(Mastika, Mastika)

 

 

This page contains a translation into English of the lyrics to one of the versions of the Greek song "Mastikaki" (μαστικάκι), which was sung by Kamuran Kayra. 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

The song's instrumental form was originally used for wedding processions in Thraki (Θράκη); most specifically, Kessani of Anatolian Thraki (Κεσσάνη Ανατολικής Θράκης). In a tradition that continues today among some families, Greek weddings originate from the home of the bride rather than the Western custom of everyone meeting at the church. The groom meets the bride at her home, along with musicians and family. Together they all proceed towards the church, playing traditional music and dancing.

ABOUT THE PHOTO: Panayiota Bakis Mohieddin (the author and lyrics translator of this page) poses in a traditional Macedonian folk costume.

The version whose lyrics appear on this page is a bit cheesy, as it mentions souvlaki! It was recorded in Turkey by Turkish singers in the Greek language.

One of the Turkish names for this song is "Ussak Karsilamas" (Καρσιλαμάς Ουσάκ). Another is "Mastika". Both Greeks and Turks have sung this song mixed in both languages.

Another Greek version of this song was recorded in 1984 by Christos Drakoulis under the title "Ouzaki, Ouzaki".

Song: Mastika "Rum Taverna" (Greek Tavern Style), 1989

Lyrics: Ahmet Selçuk İlkan

Music: Traditional

Artist for this Version: Kamuran Kayra

Dance Style:

  • Karsilama
  • Belly Dance (but only if you know how to dance to 9/8 karsilama music)

Album: İşte Rum Tavernası 89

Τραγούδι: μαστικάκι, 1989

Στίχοι: Αχμετ Σελτζουκ Ιλκαν

Μουσική: Παραδοσιακή

Πρώτη Εκτέλεση: Καμουραν Καιρα

'Αλμπουμ: Ιστε Ρουμ Ταβερνασιυ

 

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Lyrics

Numbers in parentheses refer to footnotes that appear at the bottom of the translation.

Greek Lyrics

Pronunciation

English Translation
Θα σε βάψω μικρό μου tha se vapso mikro mou I will paint you, my little one,
για να μεγαλώσεις ya na megalosis so you grow up.
φόρεσε το τακουνάκι forese to takounaki Wear the [high] heels
για να η' ψηλώσεις ya na ee' psilosis so you get taller.
Θα σε βάψω μικρό μου tha se vapso mikro mou I will paint you, my little one,
για να μεγαλώσεις ya na megalosis so you grow up.
φόρεσε το τακουνάκι forese to takounaki Wear the [high] heels
για να η' ψηλώσεις ya na ee' psilosis so you get taller.
     

Chorus

Chorus

Chorus
οοοο οοοο οοοο oooo oooo oooo Ohhh ohhh ohhh,
μαστικάκι μαστικάκι mastikaki mastikaki my mastika, my mastika! (1)
θα σε κλέψω τέρμα tha se klepso terma That's it, i will kidnap you,
κούκλα μελαχρινάκι koukla melahrinaki my dark doll! (2)
οοοο οοοο οοοο oooo oooo oooo Ohhh ohhh ohhh,
μαστικάκι μαστικάκι mastikaki mastikaki my mastika, my mastika! (1)
αν τυχόν πεινάσεις an tihon pinasis In case you get hungry,
θα σε πάρω και σουβλάκι tha se paro ke souvlaki I will even buy you a souvlaki! (3)
     
Η μεγάλη τύχη μου ee magali tihi mou It was my great fortune
'ητανε να σε γνωρίσω itane na se gnoriso to meet you.
με έρωτα γεμάτος me erota yematos Full of love,
να σε αντικρίσω na se andikriso to face you.
Η μεγάλη τύχη μου ee magali tihi mou It was my great fortune
'ητανε να σε γνωρίσω itane na se gnoriso to meet you.
με έρωτα γεμάτος me erota yematos Full of love,
να σε αντικρίσω na se andikriso to face you.
     

Chorus

Chorus

Chorus
οοοο οοοο οοοο oooo oooo oooo Ohhh ohhh ohhh,
μαστικάκι μαστικάκι mastikaki mastikaki my mastika, my mastika! (1)
θα σε κλέψω τέρμα tha se klepso terma That's it, i will kidnap you,
κούκλα μελαχρινάκι koukla melahrinaki my dark doll! (2)
οοοο οοοο οοοο oooo oooo oooo Ohhh ohhh ohhh,
μαστικάκι μαστικάκι mastikaki mastikaki my mastika, my mastika! (1)
αν τυχόν πεινάσεις an tihon pinasis In case you get hungry,
θα σε πάρω και σουβλάκι tha se paro ke souvlaki I will even buy you a souvlaki! (3)
     
Η μεγάλη τύχη μου ee magali tihi mou It was my great fortune
'ητανε να σε γνωρίσω itane na se gnoriso to meet you.
με έρωτα γεμάτος me erota yematos Full of love,
να σε αντικρίσω na se andikriso to face you.
Η μεγάλη τύχη μου ee magali tihi mou It was my great fortune
'ητανε να σε γνωρίσω itane na se gnoriso to meet you.
με έρωτα γεμάτος me erota yematos Full of love,
να σε αντικρίσω na se andikriso to face you.
     

Chorus

Chorus

Chorus
οοοο οοοο οοοο oooo oooo oooo Ohhh ohhh ohhh,
μαστικάκι μαστικάκι mastikaki mastikaki my mastika, my mastika! (1)
θα σε κλέψω τέρμα tha se klepso terma That's it, i will kidnap you,
κούκλα μελαχρινάκι koukla melahrinaki my dark doll! (2)
οοοο οοοο οοοο oooo oooo oooo Ohhh ohhh ohhh,
μαστικάκι μαστικάκι mastikaki mastikaki my mastika, my mastika! (1)
αν τυχόν πεινάσεις an tihon pinasis In case you get hungry,
θα σε πάρω και σουβλάκι tha se paro ke souvlaki I will even buy you a souvlaki! (3)
     
Θα σε βάψω μικρό μου tha se vapso mikro mou I will paint you, my little one,
για να μεγαλώσεις ya na megalosis so you grow up.
φόρεσε το τακουνάκι forese to takounaki Wear the [high] heels
για να η' ψηλώσεις ya na ee' psilosis so you get taller.
Θα σε βάψω μικρό μου tha se vapso mikro mou I will paint you, my little one,
για να μεγαλώσεις ya na megalosis so you grow up.
φόρεσε το τακουνάκι forese to takounaki Wear the [high] heels
για να η' ψηλώσεις ya na ee' psilosis so you get taller.
     

Chorus

Chorus

Chorus
οοοο οοοο οοοο oooo oooo oooo Ohhh ohhh ohhh,
μαστικάκι μαστικάκι mastikaki mastikaki my mastika, my mastika! (1)
θα σε κλέψω τέρμα tha se klepso terma That's it, i will kidnap you,
κούκλα μελαχρινάκι koukla melahrinaki my dark doll! (2)
οοοο οοοο οοοο oooo oooo oooo Ohhh ohhh ohhh,
μαστικάκι μαστικάκι mastikaki mastikaki my mastika, my mastika! (1)
αν τυχόν πεινάσεις an tihon pinasis In case you get hungry,
θα σε πάρω και σουβλάκι tha se paro ke souvlaki I will even buy you a souvlaki! (3)
     

Instrumental

Instrumental

Instrumental
  1. The word "mastika" usually refers to chewing gum. Here, it's being used as a pet name for the singer's woman. The version of the word here uses the "aki" suffix, which gives it a cutesy flavor, such as "gummypoo" might be in English.
  2. "Melahrini" refers to a dark-haired, black-eyed woman; i.e., a brunette. Another meaning of it can be dark-skinned woman.
  3. Souvlaki is a Greek version of a Middle Eastern kebab. It consists of meat and sometimes vegetables grilled on a skewer.

 

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Related Articles

  • Mastika: The Story Behind the Song. The song on this page shares the same traditional melody as the song "Mastika" that has Turkish lyrics. This article provides background information about the song.

 

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About the Translator

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.

Panayiota

 

 

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