Kostas Makedonas (Κώστας Μακεδόνας) was born and raised in Thessaloniki. Fr… Read Full Bio ↴Kostas Makedonas (Κώστας Μακεδόνας) was born and raised in Thessaloniki. From a very young age he had been expressing his talent in music. He began his guitar lessons at the age of ten. In high school and university he took part in many musical events. His first appearances took place in 1987 and his first CD recording in 1988.

O Tzak
Kostas Makedonas Lyrics

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Ο τζακ ο' χάρα ήταν φτωχόσ
Και τόνε ξέραν όλοι
Κι εγώ κι εσύ κι ο παρακεί
Αγγέλοι και διαβόλοι
Ο τζακ ο' χάρα ήταν μπεκρήσ
Χρυσή καρδιά άδεια τσέπη
Κι ήρθε ο χειμώνασ ο μακρύσ
Κι ο τζακ δεν είχε σκέπη

Μια νύχτα χιόνισε πάρα πολύ
Και βγήκαν οι γειτόνοι
Για να φτυαρίσουν το πρωί
Και βρήκαν μεσ στο χιόνι
Τησ γειτονιάσ το φρόκαλο
Τον τζακ ο' χάρα κόκαλο

Στέλνουν χαμπέρι στο γιατρό
Από ενδιαφέρον
Τρέξε γιατρέ μου το και το
Τον χάνουμε το γέρο
Μα ο γιατρόσ κάνει νερά
Γιατί δεν έχει τυχερά
Ο θάνατοσ είν' έξοδο
Κι ο τζακ σε αδιέξοδο

Σαν κάναν το καθήκον τουσ
Ήσυχοι πια οι γειτόνοι
Γυρίσανε στο σπίτι τουσ
Κι αφήσανε στο χιόνι

Τησ γειτονιάσ το φρόκαλο
Τον τζακ ο' χάρα κόκαλο

Overall Meaning

The song "O Tzak" by Kostas Makedonas tells the story of a man named Tzak, who was poor and well-known by everyone in the neighborhood. Tzak had a golden heart but empty pockets, and when the long winter came, he had no shelter. One night, it snowed heavily, and the neighbors went out in the morning to clean up the snow. They discovered Tzak frozen in the snow, representing the neighborhood's shame and neglect. They sent word to the doctor, hoping to save him, but the doctor turned a blind eye because Tzak had no luck. Tzak was trapped in an impossible situation, with death as his only way out. Once the neighbors completed their duty, they returned home, leaving Tzak's frozen body in the snow, a symbol of their indifference and callousness.

The lyrics of "O Tzak" convey a sense of social commentary and criticism towards the neglect and indifference in society towards the less fortunate. It highlights the harsh reality that there are often people like Tzak who are overlooked and forgotten, left to suffer the consequences of poverty and abandonment. The song serves as a reminder to society to be more compassionate and understanding towards those in need, and to not turn a blind eye to their struggles.

Line by Line Meaning

Ο τζακ ο' χάρα ήταν φτωχόσ
Jack of all trades was poor

Και τόνε ξέραν όλοι
And everyone knew him

Κι εγώ κι εσύ κι ο παρακεί
Me, you and those around

Αγγέλοι και διαβόλοι
Angels and devils

Ο τζακ ο' χάρα ήταν μπεκρήσ
Jack of all trades was drunk

Χρυσή καρδιά άδεια τσέπη
Golden heart, empty pocket

Κι ήρθε ο χειμώνασ ο μακρύσ
And the long winter came

Κι ο τζακ δεν είχε σκέπη
And Jack had no shelter

Μια νύχτα χιόνισε πάρα πολύ
One night it snowed heavily

Και βγήκαν οι γειτόνοι
And the neighbors came out

Για να φτυαρίσουν το πρωί
To spit on it in the morning