Glykeria began her career in 1974 working in the Athens Plaka music boites and gave performances with well-known artists, singing songs by M. Hadjidakis, M. Theodorakis, M. Loizos and others.
Collaborations in concerts and discography with: A. Kaldaras, S. Fotiadis, Natacha Atlas, Omar Faruk Tekbilek, Loukianos Kilaidonis|L. Kilaidonis, Mary Linda, P. Thalassinos Sotiria Bellou, George Dalaras, Marinella, Ofra Haza, Ricky Gal, Chava Alberstein, Amal Murkus, Paschalis Terzis, Ilias Aslanoglou, Antonis Vardis, Sarit Hadad, Fortuna and more.
In 1982 she was selected to represent Greece in the Europalia ‘82 festival in Brussels, together with Sotiria Bellou, George Dalaras and Margarita Zorbala. In 1986 she sang “Earini Symfonia” (poem by Yiannis Ritsos, music by Yiannis Markopoulos) for the song’s premier performance, at the opening ceremony of the World Championships held for the first time at the Athens Olympic Stadium, broadcast to 120 countries all over the world.
She has sung in concerts in Greece and abroad (Europe, USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Cyprus, Israel) and Turkey. Due to the successful concerts she gave in Israel she was proclaimed most popular foreign singer; the Mayor of Jerusalem awarded her the golden key of the city (1994). Three albums were released in Israel at the same time, all of them gold in a very short time: Glykeria golden-hits, Far away, Glykeria – 14 classics, and her first album in France: Golden hits – The voice of Greece.
To Mantilaki
Glykeria Lyrics
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Άιντεσ αγάπη μου
Τ' όμορφο κεντημένο
Τ' όμορφο κεντημένο
Το ‘χω σε κάθε βελονιά
Άιντεσ αγάπη μου
Με δάκρυ ποτισμένο
Μια μέρα σου το χάρισα
Άιντεσ αγάπη μου
Να το κρατάσ στα ξένα
Να το κρατάσ στα ξένα
Να με θυμάσαι και να κλαισ
Άιντεσ αγάπη μου
Καμιά φορά κι εμένα
Εκεί στα μαύρα ξένα
Γι' αυτό το μαντηλάκι μου
Άιντεσ αγάπη μου
Πρόσεξε μη το χάσεισ
Πρόσεξε μη το χάσεισ
Σα φυλαχτό να το κρατάσ
Άιντεσ αγάπη μου
Για να μη με ξεχάσεισ
Πρόσεξε μη το χάσεισ
The song "To Mantilaki" by Glykeria is about a sentimental and cherished handkerchief. Throughout the lyrics, the singer expresses love and attachment to this special item.
In the first paragraph, the lyrics mention the beautiful embroidery of the handkerchief. It is described as something precious and carefully crafted. The repetition of this line emphasizes the beauty and importance of the handkerchief.
The second paragraph talks about how the singer keeps the handkerchief close, with every stitch representing a memory. The handkerchief is described as being soaked in tears, indicating that it holds emotional significance. The phrase "manitili kaimeno" (poor handkerchief) suggests that it has endured sorrow and hardship alongside the owner.
The third paragraph reveals that the singer gave the handkerchief to a loved one, asking them to keep it in a foreign place. By doing so, the singer hopes that whenever the loved one sees the handkerchief, they will remember and shed tears for the singer, even in a distant and unfamiliar land. The mention of the "maura xena" (black unknown) suggests the challenges and difficulties the singer may be facing in that foreign place.
In the last paragraph, the singer emphasizes the importance of not losing the handkerchief. It is compared to an amulet or charm that should be held onto tightly. The repeated plea to "prosexe mi to haseis" (be careful not to lose it) conveys the singer's fear of being forgotten. By holding onto the handkerchief, the loved one will always remember the singer and keep their connection alive.
Overall, "To Mantilaki" is a poignant song about the sentimental value of a cherished handkerchief and the emotional connection it represents between two individuals, even when separated by distance or hardship.
Line by Line Meaning
Το μαντηλάκι που κρατάσ
The handkerchief that you hold
Άιντεσ αγάπη μου
Oh, my love
Τ' όμορφο κεντημένο
Beautifully embroidered
Τ' όμορφο κεντημένο
Beautifully embroidered
Το ‘χω σε κάθε βελονιά
I carry it in every stitch
Άιντεσ αγάπη μου
Oh, my love
Με δάκρυ ποτισμένο
Drenched in tears
Μαντήλι καημένο
Poor handkerchief
Μια μέρα σου το χάρισα
One day I gave it to you
Άιντεσ αγάπη μου
Oh, my love
Να το κρατάσ στα ξένα
To keep it in foreign lands
Να το κρατάσ στα ξένα
To keep it in foreign lands
Να με θυμάσαι και να κλαισ
To remember me and cry
Άιντεσ αγάπη μου
Oh, my love
Καμιά φορά κι εμένα
Sometimes me too
Εκεί στα μαύρα ξένα
There in the dark foreign lands
Γι' αυτό το μαντηλάκι μου
For this handkerchief of mine
Άιντεσ αγάπη μου
Oh, my love
Πρόσεξε μη το χάσεισ
Be careful not to lose it
Πρόσεξε μη το χάσεισ
Be careful not to lose it
Σα φυλαχτό να το κρατάσ
Like an amulet, hold it
Άιντεσ αγάπη μου
Oh, my love
Για να μη με ξεχάσεισ
So you won't forget me
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, ONErpm
Written by: Adele Laurie Blue Adkins, Daniel Dodd Wilson
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind