G.O. Culture: "Dirladada" (1993)

"Darla dirladada" is a traditional song from the island of Kalymnos in Greece. It was originally conceived as a song that sponge divers would sing when rowing their sponge diving boat across the oceans with words of encouragement and opportunity intended to motivate them to row harder.

One of the most notable recordings is that performed by Pantelis Ginis, a Kalyminian Sponge diver captain, who referred in his version to another respected Kalyminian sponge diver captain, Manolis (Emmanuel) Theodosiou, whose nickname was 'Kobalis'. There is a verse in Ginis version that refers to Theodosiou when the captain walked into a coffee shop where Ginis was singing his version. Ginis' version is that generally played in Greece even though there are older versions available.

There have been various modern versions recorded.

In 1970 the song was recorded by Italian-Egyptian-French singer Dalida. It was released as a single from her album Ils ont changé ma chanson, on which it features as sixth track. Dalida also recorded the song in the English-language ; the original version has been covered by Marva. The most notable cover version was that of G.O. Culture in 1993, which became a huge hit in France.


- Lyrics:

Bip Bip
Bip Bip

Y'a du soleil
Y'a du soleil et des nanas

Bienvenue à Galaswinda
darla dirladada
Y'a du soleil et des nanas
darla dirladada
On va s'en fourrer jusque là
darla dirladada
Pousse la banane et mouds l'kawa
darla dirladada

Bienvenue à Galaswinda
darla dirladada
Y'a du soleil et des nanas
darla dirladada
va s'en fourrer jusque là
darla dirladada
Pousse la banane et mouds l'kawa
darla dirladada

Bip bip

Bienvenue à Galaswinda
darla dirladada
Y'a du soleil et des nanas
darla dirladada
va s'en fourrer jusque là
darla dirladada
Pousse la banane et mouds l'kawa
darla dirladada

Tous les soirs on f'ra la java
darla dirladada
En chantant à Galaswinda
darla dirladada
Y'a du soleil et des nanas
darla dirladada
On va s'doucher sur la playa
darla dirladada

Bip bip
Bip Bip

Bienvenue à Galaswinda
darla dirladada
Y'a du soleil et des nanas
darla dirladada
On va s'en fourrer jusque là
darla dirladada
Pousse ta banane et mouds l'kawa
darla dirladada

Tous les soirs on f'ra la java
darla dirladada
En chantant à Galaswinda
darla dirladada
Y'a du soleil et des nanas
darla dirladada
On va s'doucher sur la playa
darla dirladada

Bienvenue à Galaswinda
darla dirladada
Y'a du soleil et des nanas
darla dirladada
va s'en fourrer jusque là
darla dirladada
Pousse la banane et mouds l'kawa
darla dirladada