Discover the timeless beauty of ‘Συννεφιασμένη Κυριακή,’ a classic rebetika song by Βασίλης Τσιτσάνης. Explore its lyrics, meaning, and emotional depth
Hello, dear Greek music enthusiasts!
Before we dive into today’s song, let’s first explore the world of ρεμπέτικα (rebetika) — the powerful musical tradition behind it.
What Is Rebetika Music?
Often described as the “Greek blues,” ρεμπέτικα (rebetika) songs emerged in the early 20th century among Greece’s working-class and marginalized communities.
They speak of everyday struggles — love, heartbreak, poverty, exile — with raw honesty and emotional depth.
Rooted in the experiences of refugees from Asia Minor and life in the urban underworld, rebetika blends traditional Greek melodies with Eastern musical elements.
It’s typically played with instruments like the bouzouki, baglamas, and guitar.
For many Greeks, rebetika is not just music — it’s a window into the soul of a people who have endured hardship with dignity and spirit.
Βασίλης Τσιτσάνης: A Legend of Rebetika
Few artists have shaped the sound and spirit of rebetika as profoundly as Βασίλης Τσιτσάνης.
Born in Trikala in 1915, Tsitsanis was a gifted composer, singer, and bouzouki player who helped transform rebetika from underground music into a vital part of Greek popular culture.
Through his work, rebetika evolved, gaining richer melodies and more poetic lyrics, while never losing its emotional rawness.
Σωτηρία Μπέλλου: A Voice of Authenticity
When we talk about rebetika, Σωτηρία Μπέλλου must also be honored.
Her powerful, heartfelt voice made her one of the most iconic interpreters of the genre.
Having lived through personal hardships and political turmoil, Bellou brought an unmatched authenticity and emotional depth to every song she sang.
A Gloomy Sunday and a Broken Heart
Συννεφιασμένη Κυριακή, composed by Βασίλης Τσιτσάνης and first recorded in 1948 by Πρόδρομος Τσαουσάκης and Σωτηρία Μπέλλου, is one of the most beloved rebetika songs. Over the years, it has been interpreted by iconic Greek singers such as Στέλιος Καζαντζίδης, Μαρινέλλα, Γιώτα Λύδια, and Γιώργος Νταλάρας, among many others. The song captures the profound sadness of a cloudy Sunday, reflecting the singer’s heavy heart, filled with loss and longing.
Take a moment to listen to the song below, following along as we explore its touching lyrics and meaning!
Exploring the Lyrics
Below, you’ll find the full lyrics of Συννεφιασμένη Κυριακή with their English translations:
| Greek Lyrics | English Translation |
|---|---|
| Συννεφιασμένη Κυριακή | Cloudy Sunday |
| Μοιάζεις με την καρδιά μου | You look like my heart |
| Που έχει πάντα συννεφιά, συννεφιά | That is always cloudy, cloudy |
| Χριστέ και Παναγιά μου | Christ and Holy Mother |
| Που έχει πάντα συννεφιά, συννεφιά | That is always cloudy, cloudy |
| Χριστέ και Παναγιά μου | Christ and Holy Mother |
| Είσαι μια μέρα σαν κι αυτή | You are a day like this one |
| Που ‘χασα την χαρά μου | When I lost my joy |
| Συννεφιασμένη Κυριακή, Κυριακή | Cloudy Sunday, Sunday |
| Ματώνεις την καρδιά μου | You wound my heart |
| Συννεφιασμένη Κυριακή, Κυριακή | Cloudy Sunday, Sunday |
| Ματώνεις την καρδιά μου | You wound my heart |
| Όταν σε βλέπω βροχερή | When I see you rainy |
| Στιγμή δεν ησυχάζω | I find no peace for a moment |
| Μαύρη μου κάνεις τη ζωή, τη ζωή | You darken my life, my life |
| Και βαριαναστενάζω | And I sigh heavily |
| Μαύρη μου κάνεις τη ζωή, τη ζωή | You darken my life, my life |
| Και βαριαναστενάζω | And I sigh heavily |
Verse-by-Verse Analysis
Verse 1: A Clouded Heart
Συννεφιασμένη Κυριακή
(Sinnefiasméni Kiriakí)
Cloudy Sunday
Μοιάζεις με την καρδιά μου
(Miazis me tin kardiá mu)
You look like my heart
The song begins by drawing a powerful parallel between a gloomy Sunday and the singer’s own heart, burdened by sadness.
The repeated invocation of “Χριστέ και Παναγιά μου” (Christ and Holy Mother) conveys a deep emotional cry — a prayer for comfort amid inner turmoil.
Chorus: Lost Joy and Emotional Wounding
Είσαι μια μέρα σαν κι αυτή
(Íse mia méra san ki aftí)
You are a day like this one
Που ‘χασα την χαρά μου
(Pu ‘chasa tin chará mu)
When I lost my joy
The Sunday stands as a painful reminder of a specific loss.
The singer’s joy has been extinguished, and the wound left behind continues to bleed emotionally, as emphasized in “Ματώνεις την καρδιά μου” (“You wound my heart”).
Verse 2: Rainy Days and Heavy Sighs
Όταν σε βλέπω βροχερή
(Ótan se vlépo vrocherí)
When I see you rainy
Στιγμή δεν ησυχάζω
(Stigmí den isicházo)
I find no peace for a moment
Here, the rain symbolizes ongoing sorrow.
Even a fleeting image of rain deepens the singer’s inner unrest.
The life once filled with color has turned “μαύρη” (black), and the soul is weighed down by heavy sighs — “βαριαναστενάζω” — a word that captures a sadness so deep it becomes physical.
Final Chorus: Life Darkened by Sadness
Μαύρη μου κάνεις τη ζωή
(Mávri mou kánis ti zoí)
You darken my life
Και βαριαναστενάζω
(Ke varianastenázo)
And I sigh heavily
The repetition at the end underlines the overwhelming grief.
The singer’s life has become dark and heavy, haunted by sadness and the absence of hope.
Cultural Insights and Key Vocabulary
To fully appreciate the depth of Συννεφιασμένη Κυριακή and its profound emotional impact, it’s helpful to understand the rich cultural and linguistic context behind its words. Greek songs, particularly rebetika, are filled with symbolism and evocative imagery that can sometimes be difficult to grasp without delving into the meanings of certain key terms. Let’s explore some of the most important vocabulary in this song to gain a deeper understanding of its lyrical beauty.
Η συννεφιά (I sinnefiá) – The cloudiness
Cloudy skies are often used in Greek music and poetry to symbolize sorrow, uncertainty, and emotional heaviness. In Συννεφιασμένη Κυριακή, the cloudy Sunday mirrors the sadness and longing of the human soul.
Η Κυριακή (I Kiriakí) – Sunday
Sunday traditionally symbolizes rest, hope, and spiritual reflection in Greek culture. When paired with “cloudiness,” it transforms into a day of mourning and emotional stillness, subverting its usual joyful meaning.
Η πληγή (I pliyí) – The wound
A wound is a powerful image of emotional or physical pain. In Greek songs, it often represents heartbreak, loss, or the scars left by difficult experiences.
Ο στεναγμός (O stenagmós) – The sigh
A sigh conveys emotions too deep for words — sorrow, longing, or resignation. It captures the weary breath of a heart burdened by unspoken grief.
Ο αναστεναγμός (O anastenagmós) – The deep sigh
Stronger than a simple sigh, a deep sigh is tied to intense inner turmoil and yearning. It appears frequently in rebetika to express silent suffering.
Το δάκρυ (To dákri) – The tear
Tears in Greek music symbolize honesty and catharsis. Crying is seen not only as a private sorrow but as a sacred release of emotion.
Ο καημός (O kaimós) – The deep sorrow
“Kaimós” is a uniquely Greek word with no perfect translation — a bittersweet, lingering sorrow often mixed with nostalgia. It lies at the very heart of the rebetiko spirit.
Η καρδιά (I kardiá) – The heart
The heart is the seat of all emotions in Greek culture — love, pain, loyalty, and pride. In songs like this, it often battles between resilience and brokenness.
Ο πόνος (O pónos) – The pain
Pain in Greek poetry and music is not hidden away but embraced as part of the human condition. It becomes a bridge connecting personal suffering to universal experience.
Η ζωή (I zoí) – Life
Life, often portrayed as a journey through hardships and joys, is a central theme in rebetika. Songs like Συννεφιασμένη Κυριακή reflect life’s burdens as well as its fleeting beauty.
Η ψυχή (I psichí) – The soul
The soul is seen as eternal, deeply emotional, and intimately connected to music. Rebetika songs aim to touch the listener’s very soul, not just their mind.
Η αγάπη (I agápi) – The love
A timeless concept, “agápi” represents profound, often painful love in rebetika — not just romance, but love of family, homeland, or lost dreams.
Το μεράκι (To meráki) – The passionate longing
“Meráki” is a beautiful Greek word meaning to do something with soul, creativity, or love. In the world of rebetika, singing with “meráki” is essential — it’s how pain is turned into art.
Το ρεμπέτικο τραγούδι (To rebétiko tragúdi) – The rebetiko song
Rebetiko is often called the “Greek blues,” born from the hardships of migration, poverty, and exile. It is music of the heart, woven with stories of loss, resilience, and dignity.
Conclusion: The Timeless Legacy of Συννεφιασμένη Κυριακή
Συννεφιασμένη Κυριακή stands as one of the purest expressions of sorrow and longing in Greek music. Through Βασίλης Τσιτσάνης’ moving composition and Σωτηρία Μπέλλου’s unforgettable voice, it continues to touch listeners’ hearts even decades after it was first sung.
The simplicity of the lyrics, combined with the emotional weight of the music, captures the universal human experience of grief and longing — making the song timeless and beloved across generations.
Rebetika songs like Συννεφιασμένη Κυριακή are more than music — they are living expressions of a people’s resilience and soul. They remind us that even through hardship, love, memory, and hope continue to find a voice.
Have you ever heard of rebetika before? What’s your favorite song? Or maybe there’s a specific song you’d like me to explore and analyze next? I’d love to hear your thoughts and dive into more of these emotional treasures together!
