Giannis Poulopoulos – Geitonaki Mou (English Translation)
Song Info
- Artist: Giannis Poulopoulos
- Original Title: Γειτονάκι Μου
- Language: Greek
Original Lyrics
Τη νύχτα που κοιμούνται τα πουλιά
βγαίνουν κάτι έρημα παιδιά
κι έρχονται στην πόρτα σου κρυφά
T' αστέρια που κοιτούν από ψηλά
ξαγρυπνούν μαζί με τα παιδιά
και σου νανουρίζουν την καρδιά
Γειτονάκι μου
στη μικρή σου πόρτα
αστεράκι μου
ξενύχτησα κι εγώ
αδερφάκι μου
το φεγγάρι ρώτα
γειτονάκι μου
αχ πόσο σ' αγαπώ
Την ώρα που γυρνώ απ' τη δουλειά
κάνω όρκο μέσα μου βαθιά
να μη 'ρθω στην πόρτα σου ξανά
Μα όταν πέσει πάλι η νυχτιά
η παλιά λαχτάρα μου ξυπνά
και μου τυραννάει την καρδιά
Γειτονάκι μου
στη μικρή σου πόρτα
αστεράκι μου
ξενύχτησα κι εγώ
αδερφάκι μου
το φεγγάρι ρώτα
γειτονάκι μου
αχ πόσο σ' αγαπώ
Ti nychta pou koimountai ta poulia
vgainoun kati erima paidia
ki erchontai stin porta sou kryfa
T’ asteria pou koitoun apo psila
xagrypnoun mazi me ta paidia
kai sou nanourizoun tin kardia
Geitonaki mou
sti mikri sou porta
asteraki mou
xenychtisa ki ego
aderfaki mou
to fengari rota
geitonaki mou
ach poso s’ agapo
Tin ora pou gyrno ap’ ti douleia
kano orko mesa mou vathia
na mi rtho stin porta sou xana
Ma otan pesei pali i nychtia
i palia lachtara mou xypna
kai mou tyranaei tin kardia
Geitonaki mou
sti mikri sou porta
asteraki mou
xenychtisa ki ego
aderfaki mou
to fengari rota
geitonaki mou
ach poso s’ agapo
English Translation
The night when the birds fall asleep,
some lonely souls wander out,
and quietly they come to your door.
The stars that watch from high above
keep vigil through the night with them
and gently lull your heart.
My dear neighbor,
at your small door,
my little star,
I stayed awake too.
My dear one,
ask the moon,
my neighbor,
oh how deeply I love you.
When I return from work,
I make a deep vow within myself
not to come to your door again.
But when night falls once more,
my old longing awakens
and torments my heart.
My dear neighbor,
at your small door,
my little star,
I stayed awake too.
My dear one,
ask the moon,
my neighbor,
oh how deeply I love you.
💡 Song Context & Meaning
Diminutives and Tender Language (Γειτονάκι, αστεράκι, αδερφάκι): The repeated use of diminutives does not point to childhood or family bonds. In Greek lyric tradition, such forms express tenderness, vulnerability, and emotional restraint. By addressing the beloved with softened, protective language, the singer tries to contain his longing and present it as gentle rather than consuming. This linguistic choice reflects his inner conflict: deep romantic feeling expressed through deliberately innocent words.
Daytime Reason vs. Nighttime Longing (Μέρα και νύχτα): The contrast between returning from work and the arrival of night reveals the song’s central struggle. During the day, the singer makes a rational vow to stay away, recognizing that this love cannot or should not be acted upon. When night falls, however, the old longing awakens and “tyrannizes” his heart. This cycle shows a man torn between responsibility and desire, caught in a recurring emotional battle.
An Additional Note for Learners: The lyrics rely heavily on diminutives (-άκι) and poetic imagery common in Greek songwriting. These forms often express emotional intimacy rather than literal meaning. Understanding this helps avoid misreading the song as child-focused, and instead reveals it as a quiet, restrained portrayal of romantic longing and self-denial.
Official Lyric Reference:
βγαίνουν κάτι έρημα παιδιά
κι έρχονται στην πόρτα σου κρυφά
T' αστέρια που κοιτούν από ψηλά
ξαγρυπνούν μαζί με τα παιδιά
και σου νανουρίζουν την καρδιά
Γειτονάκι μου
στη μικρή σου πόρτα
αστεράκι μου
ξενύχτησα κι εγώ
αδερφάκι μου
το φεγγάρι ρώτα
γειτονάκι μου
αχ πόσο σ' αγαπώ
Την ώρα που γυρνώ απ' τη δουλειά
κάνω όρκο μέσα μου βαθιά
να μη 'ρθω στην πόρτα σου ξανά
Μα όταν πέσει πάλι η νυχτιά
η παλιά λαχτάρα μου ξυπνά
και μου τυραννάει την καρδιά
Γειτονάκι μου
στη μικρή σου πόρτα
αστεράκι μου
ξενύχτησα κι εγώ
αδερφάκι μου
το φεγγάρι ρώτα
γειτονάκι μου
αχ πόσο σ' αγαπώ
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