This song refers to secret schools boys would attend in Greece, under the Ottoman occupation between the 15th through the 19th centuries. They weren't allowed to learn the Greek language and about Christianity - so they had to learn about them in secret at night.

This song is sometimes sung to the tune to "Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star"…

 Φεγγαράκι μου λαμπρό  - Greek Children's Songs - Greece - Mama Lisa's World: Children's Songs and Rhymes from Around the World  - Intro Image


Fengaraki mou lambro
(Greek Transliteration)

Fengaraki mou lambro
Fenge mou na perpato
Na piyeno sto skholio
Na matheno ghramata
Ghramata spoudhamata
Tou theou ta praghmata

e= as in " red"
i = ee
ou = oo
"kh" as a Spanish "j" or German "ch" in "Bach"
"gh" a voiced gargling sound
"th" as in "thick"
"dh" as in "this"


"The original tune, is not like twinkle-twinkle. It is a very old tune from traditional Greek Lullabies... Some times at schools the teachers are confused and sing the song with the English melody.

This song is very well known, especially among very young children (2-4 years)..." -Katerina


Sheet Music

Sheet Music -  Φεγγαράκι μου λαμπρό

Thanks and Acknowledgements

Many thanks to Julia Durdunas for contributing the lyrics, the translation and transliteration to this song.

Thanks also to Isa Santoveña for the midi music.

The painting is "To krifó scholió" ("The Secret School") by Nikolaos Gyzis, oil painting, 1885/86.

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