Miserlou
Miserlou
Greece
Greece
The Greek title of the song Misirlou is a Greek pronunciation of the Turkish word Misirli which means ‘Egyptian girl’. The original Greek lyrics tell of a forbidden love between a Greek Christian man and an Egyptian Moslem woman. Because of the religious and ethnic differences, the subject was very risqué for its time.
The Greek title of the song Misirlou is a Greek pronunciation of the Turkish word Misirli which means ‘Egyptian girl’. The original Greek lyrics tell of a forbidden love between a Greek Christian man and an Egyptian Moslem woman. Because of the religious and ethnic differences, the subject was very risqué for its time.
It is in the rebetiko style of music, linked to harem dances. It has been performed by many, many musicians since the 1920’s, sometimes as an instrumental and sometimes with lyrics. It has been performed at various tempos, from quick to slow and sensuous, and has long been a favourite song among belly dancers.
It is in the rebetiko style of music, linked to harem dances. It has been performed by many, many musicians since the 1920’s, sometimes as an instrumental and sometimes with lyrics. It has been performed at various tempos, from quick to slow and sensuous, and has long been a favourite song among belly dancers.
More Information:
More Information:
"Misirlou" is a folk song from the Eastern Mediterranean region, with origins in the Ottoman Empire. The original author of the song is not known, but Arabic, Greek and Jewish musicians were playing it by the 1920s. The earliest known recording of the song is a 1927 Greek rebetiko composition influenced by Middle Eastern music. There are also Arabic belly dancing, Armenian, Persian, Indian and Turkish versions of the song. This song was popular from the 1920s onwards in the Arab American, Armenian American and Greek American communities who settled in the United States.
"Misirlou" is a folk song from the Eastern Mediterranean region, with origins in the Ottoman Empire. The original author of the song is not known, but Arabic, Greek and Jewish musicians were playing it by the 1920s. The earliest known recording of the song is a 1927 Greek rebetiko composition influenced by Middle Eastern music. There are also Arabic belly dancing, Armenian, Persian, Indian and Turkish versions of the song. This song was popular from the 1920s onwards in the Arab American, Armenian American and Greek American communities who settled in the United States.
The song gained worldwide popularity through Dick Dale's 1962 American surf rock version, originally titled "Miserlou”. Various versions have since been recorded, mostly based on Dale's version by other surf and rock bands. Dale's surf rock version later gained renewed popularity when director Quentin Tarantino used it in his 1994 film Pulp Fiction.
The song gained worldwide popularity through Dick Dale's 1962 American surf rock version, originally titled "Miserlou”. Various versions have since been recorded, mostly based on Dale's version by other surf and rock bands. Dale's surf rock version later gained renewed popularity when director Quentin Tarantino used it in his 1994 film Pulp Fiction.
Dance
Dance
The slower version of the modern dance was first performed at a program to honor America's allies of World War II in 1945. Thereafter, this new dance, which had been created by putting the Syrtos Kritikos to the slower "Misirlou" music, was known as Misirlou and spread among the Greek-American community, as well as among non-Greek U.S. folk-dance enthusiasts.
The slower version of the modern dance was first performed at a program to honor America's allies of World War II in 1945. Thereafter, this new dance, which had been created by putting the Syrtos Kritikos to the slower "Misirlou" music, was known as Misirlou and spread among the Greek-American community, as well as among non-Greek U.S. folk-dance enthusiasts.
It has been a staple for decades of dances held at Serbian Orthodox churches across the U.S., performed as a kolo, a circle dance. The Misirlou dance also found its way into the Armenian-American community who, like the Greeks, were fond of circle dances, and occasionally adopted Greek dances.
It has been a staple for decades of dances held at Serbian Orthodox churches across the U.S., performed as a kolo, a circle dance. The Misirlou dance also found its way into the Armenian-American community who, like the Greeks, were fond of circle dances, and occasionally adopted Greek dances.
Note: the dance / song is sometimes spelt Misirlou and sometimes Miserlou.
Note: the dance / song is sometimes spelt Misirlou and sometimes Miserlou.
Information about all the different versions of the dance and song can be found at these websites:
Information about all the different versions of the dance and song can be found at these websites:
Here is a YouTube link of the dance with lyrics sung by Maria Farantouri.
Here is a YouTube link of the dance with lyrics sung by Maria Farantouri.
Research and information provided by Gail Franks, March 2022
Research and information provided by Gail Franks, March 2022