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 "Se Pira Sovara" (Σε Πήρα Σοβαρά), which was sung by Sarbel Mixail Maronitis. 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

"Se Pira Sovara" is a version with Greek lyrics of an old traditional Tunisian song called "Sidi Mansour" (Σιντι Μανσουρ), also known as "Ya Baba" (Για Μπαμπα).

Greeks and people in present-day Arabic-speaking countries have been living among each other for thousands of years. Many were Greeks kept their Greek heritage alive within Greek enclaves while speaking Arabic in public, others acquired mixed language skills through marriage, etc. It is only natural that some Greek songs are bilingual with some Arabic words.

Interestingly, the original Arabic-language version of the song was recorded in Greece in 1975 by Mohamed Hanesh at Minos Studios. The Arabic lyric credits have been typically given to Mohammed Hammamet, Mohammed Hanesh and R. Regimia, although others claim the modern version was written by Sameh al Ajami.

The song's modern popularity arose from the recording by Saber Rebai (Sabir ibn Al-Hadi El Rebai), which was released in 2000 and inspired many others to record it, both in Arabic and in other languages. Its music video featured belly dancing by Anastasia Biserova and Samira Zopunyan, and was very popular.

About Sarbel

Sarbel was the original musician to release this traditional Tunisian song with these Greek lyrics. He was born in England to immigrant parents: his mother is Lebanese, and his musician father is a Greek Cypriot.

Sarbel majored in musical theater and dance. He represented Greece in the Eurovision music competition in 2007.

Greek Lyrics: Eleni Yianatsoulia

Music: Traditional Tunisian

Original Artist, Greek Version: Sarbel Mixail Maronitis with backup vocals by Eirini Merkouri

Dance Style: Belly dancing

Album: Paraxeno Sinesthima (Weird Feeling

Has Also Been Sung by:

In Arabic

• Mohamed Hanesh (in Arabic, as "Sidi Mansour"), 1975
• Mohammed Jarrari (in Arabic, as "Sidi Mansour"), 1975
• Soulef (in Arabic, as "Sidi Mansour")
• Saber Rebai (in Arabic, as "Sidi Mansour"), 2000
• Melissa (Myriam Shehab) (in Arabic), 2013

In Other Languages

• Guzin and Baha (in Turkish as "Allah Allah Ne Zaman"), 1975
• Boney M (in English, as the hit song "Ma Baker"), 1977
• İbrahim Tatlıses (in Turkish, as "Mavişim"), 1999
• Viki Miljković (in Serbian, as "Mariš Li"), 2003
• Reuven Hamalach (in Hebrew, as "Perach Shely"), 2010
• Nazia Iqbal (in Urdu as "Za Yam Maghror Laila"), 2014
• Albatrit Muçiqi (in Albanian, as "Jam Dehe Unë Më Raki"), 2014
• Mama Baba (in German, as rap with instrumental by a Greek, Kostas Karagiozidis), 2019
• Trim Jetullahu (as rap), 2019

Στίχοι: Ελένη Γιαννατσούλια

Μουσική: Παραδοσιακό Απο Τυνισία

Πρώτη Εκτέλεση: Σαρμπέλ Μιχαήλ Μαρωνίτης

Συμμετέχουν: Ειρήνη Μερκούρη

Άλμπουμ: Παράξενο Συναίσθημα

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.