Σωτηρία Μπέλλου {Sotiria Bellou} (29th August 1921-27th August 1997) was bo… Read Full Bio ↴Σωτηρία Μπέλλου {Sotiria Bellou} (29th August 1921-27th August 1997) was born in the village of Chalia, near Chalkida, and named after her maternal grandfather, a priest. She sang in her grandfather's church choir, and developed a determination to become a singer. Her father bought her a guitar, and paid for her to have lessons.

An arranged marriage ended in disaster: for throwing acid in her abusive husband's face, Bellou was sentenced to three and a half years in prison, of which she served only four months. She was released, and moved to Athens at the outbreak of World War II.

In Athens she joined the Communist party, made a living as a street musician, and played an active role in the resistance. During the Greek Civil War, her political activities led to further periods of imprisonment. In 1945 she was discovered singing in tavernas by the great rembetis Vasilis Tsitsanis, and they began to perform together. Despite the difficulties of life under the Colonels, Bellou's performances and recordings gained her a following, especially among students.

In the 1960s she began to record a series of albums for the Lyra label, which shot her to national fame and popularity. As well as her collaborations with Tsitsanis, which continued until his death in 1984, Bellou worked with many of the great musicians and composers of rembetika and laika.

Her private life was never settled, however, and her gambling was a persistent problem; towards the end of her life, the Greek government had to provide money for her support, and especially for her medical bills. When she died of throat cancer two days short of her 76th birthday, she was given a State Funeral

Arampas Perna
Σωτηρία Μπέλλου Lyrics

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Αραμπάσ περνά
Κι η σατράπισσα
Που αγάπησα είναι μέσα
Αγκαλιάζεται
Κι ούτε νοιάζεται η μπαμπέσα

Αραμπάσ περνά
Με την βλάμισσα

Που χαράμισα την ζωή μου
Με ρεστάρισε
Στραπατσάρισε το τσαρδί μου

Αραμπάσ περνά
Ωχ μανούλα μου
Η καρδούλα μου πωσ χτυπάει

Κι η σατράπισσα
Που αγάπησα μ' άλλον πάει

Overall Meaning

In the song "Arampas Perna" by Σωτηρία Μπέλλου, the lyrics portray a story of a person who is deeply in love with someone but is betrayed and abandoned by them for someone else.

The first verse begins with "Αραμπάσ περνά," which can be interpreted as a metaphorical reference to the passing of time. The singer is reflecting on the past, specifically on a person they loved who is now gone. The term "σατράπισσα" refers to a powerful and influential woman, suggesting that the person the singer loved was strong-willed and had a captivating personality.

The verse continues by saying that this person is now embraced by someone new, while the singer is left completely indifferent and unaffected by their actions. The use of the term "μπαμπέσα" implies that the singer sees this person as insignificant or irrelevant now.

In the second verse, the singer refers to another person they loved, this time using the derogatory term "βλάμισσα," which indicates that they were misled or deceived by this person. The singer feels that they wasted their life with this individual and that person ruined their world. The phrase "ρεστάρισε" suggests that this person took advantage of the singer's generosity or kindness, causing them to lose faith in others.

The third and final verse begins with the singer addressing their mother, saying "Ωχ μανούλα μου." This indicates a sense of sadness and longing for their mother's comfort and understanding. The singer expresses how their heart beats in a particular way, most likely in reference to the pain and anguish they are experiencing.

This verse concludes by mentioning the "σατράπισσα" once again, implying that this person the singer loved has moved on with someone else. The phrase "μ' άλλον πάει" signifies the ultimate betrayal and abandonment the singer feels, as the person they believed to be their love has chosen to be with another.

Overall, the lyrics of "Arampas Perna" convey a story of heartbreak and betrayal, illustrating the emotional pain and disappointment that can come from loving someone who doesn't reciprocate or remain faithful. It reflects on the complexities of relationships and the profound impact they can have on one's life.

Line by Line Meaning

Αραμπάσ περνά
A horse-drawn cart passes by

Κι η σατράπισσα
And the mistress

Που αγάπησα είναι μέσα
Whom I loved is inside

Αγκαλιάζεται
Embracing

Κι ούτε νοιάζεται η μπαμπέσα
And the rich woman doesn't care

Αραμπάσ περνά
A horse-drawn cart passes by

Με την βλάμισσα
With the gypsy woman

Που χαράμισα την ζωή μου
Whom I wasted my life with

Με ρεστάρισε
She ruined me

Στραπατσάρισε το τσαρδί μου
She devastated my heart

Αραμπάσ περνά
A horse-drawn cart passes by