Η Ταμπακιέρα (Cigarette Box) -- 1950

Σοφία Βεμπο (Sofia Vembo) was a very popular singer during the 40s and 50s. With the attack on Greece by Mussilini on October 28th Greece entered WWII and Vembo's patriotic song lead her to be called the tragoudistria tis nikis.

In the late 40s and 50s lent her smokey voice to number of songs renowned for their sultry, sophisticated and European style. The one below, Η Ταμπακιέρα, The Cigarette Box, is one of my favorites. I can't help but think of Marlene Dietrich when I hear it.



Η Ταμπακιέρα

Μουσική: Ιωσήφ Ριτσιάρδης
Στίχοι: Μ. Τραϊφόρος, Γ. Γιαννακόπουλος

Τι μου τη χάρισες αυτή την ταμπακιέρα, αφού για μένα πονηρά έχεις σκεφτεί; Κι αφού στο βάθος θέλεις να με κάνεις πέρα, τι μου τη χάρισες την ταμπακιέρα αυτή; Την ταμπακιέρα σου δεν έπρεπε να πάρω, γιατί τη βλέπω και βαθιά μελαγχολώ! Μέχρι που σκέφτομαι να κόψω το τσιγάρο, για να σε βγάλω μια στιγμή απ' το μυαλό! Ποτέ δε μ' άφησες να δω μιαν άσπρη μέρα και σου γουστάρει πάντα να με τυραννάς! Κι ίσως μου χάρισες αυτή την ταμπακιέρα για να μου γίνει και το κάπνισμα βραχνάς!

| | Δις

------ Μετάφρασης (translation)------

Why did you gave me this cigarette case
since you have thought slyly about me

and basically you want to keep me away
why did you gave me this cigarette case?

You never let me see a happy day
and you always liked to torture me

I shouldn't have taken your cigarette case
because I see it and fall into deep melancholy

and even I think about quitting smoking
so that I can send you away from my mind for just a moment

and maybe you gave me this cigarette case
so that smoking would also turn into nightmare for me