Sokrati was the Greek entry at the Eurovision Song Contest 1979 in Jerusalem performed by Elpida.
The song is in praise of the philosopher Socrates, who is likened to a "superstar" in the lyrics. Mention is made of his trial and forced suicide, linking the Athenian citizens to Pontius Pilate, as a reference to them doing nothing to prevent his death.
It was performed 7th on the night following Monaco and preceding Switzerland. At the close of voting, it finished in 8th place with 69 points.
Lyrics[]
Theo, Theo, Theo, Theo de se lene
Keria, keria, keria, keria de sou kaine
Alla ta lo… ta lo… ta logia sou kaine
Ki ako… ako… ako… akoma ta lene
Sokrati esy souperstar
Agnos kai kalos, o protos Christos
Sokrati esy souperstar
Me kapa zitianou gyrnouses
Kai st’ aspra sou genia poulia
Trigyro laos, ki esy agio fos
Sokrati esy souperstar
Gia agapi kai fos tous milouses
Sofe ton sofon vasilia
Theo, Theo, Theo, Theo de se lene
Keria, keria, keria, keria de sou kaine
Alla ta lo… ta lo… ta logia sou kaine
Ki ako… ako… ako… akoma ta lene
Sokrati esy souperstar
Theo, Theo, Theo, Theo de se lene
Keria, keria, keria, keria de sou kaine
Alla ta lo… ta lo… ta logia sou kaine
Ki ako… ako… ako… akoma ta lene
Sokrati esy souperstar, souperstar, souperstar
Pilatos laos, sou pire to fos
Sokrati esy souperstar
Ki i Athina pou toso agapouses
Farmaki sou dinei pikro
Pikri charavgi, orfaneve i gi
Sokrati esy souperstar
Tin ora pou esy xekinouses
Na vreis ton aionio Theo
Theo, Theo, Theo, Theo de se lene
Keria, keria, keria, keria de sou kaine
Alla ta lo… ta lo… ta logia sou kaine
Ki ako… ako… ako… akoma ta lene
Sokrati esy souperstar
Theo, Theo, Theo, Theo de se lene
Keria, keria, keria, keria de sou kaine
Alla ta lo… ta lo… ta logia sou kaine
Ki ako… ako… ako… akoma ta lene
Sokrati esy souperstar, souperstar, souperstar
God, God, God, they never call you that
Candles, candles, candles, they never light them for you
But your words, words, they burn
And still, still, still, they are quoted
Socrates, you superstar
Pure and good, the first Christ
Socrates, you superstar
You went round in a beggar’s clothing
And there were birds in your white beard
The crowd around you – you were a holy light
Socrates, you superstar
You talked to them about love and light
The wisest man, the king of wisdom
God, God, God, they never call you that
Candles, candles, candles, they never light them for you
But your words, words, they burn
And still, still, still, they are quoted
Socrates, you superstar
God, God, God, they never call you that
Candles, candles, candles, they never light them for you
But your words, words, they burn
And still, still, still, they are quoted
Socrates, you superstar, superstar, superstar
Pilate supporters took the light from you
Socrates, you superstar
And Athens, that you loved so much
Gave you a bitter poison
The break of day was bitter, the earth was orphaned
Socrates, you superstar
Your time had come
You found the eternal God
God, God, God, they never call you that
Candles, candles, candles, they never light them for you
But your words, words, they burn
And still, still, still, they are quoted
Socrates, you superstar
God, God, God, they never call you that
Candles, candles, candles, they never light them for you
But your words, words, they burn
And still, still, still, they are quoted
Socrates, you superstar, superstar, superstar
| Eurovision Song Contest 1979 | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Participants | |||
 Manuela Bravo •  Matia Bazar •  Tommy Seebach •  Cathal Dunne •  Katri Helena •  Laurent Vaguener •  Elpida •  Peter, Sue & Marc ft. Pfuri, Gnorps & Kniri •  Dschinghis Khan •  Gali Atari & Milk and Honey •  Anne Marie David •  Micah Marah •  Jeane Manson •  Xandra •  Ted Gärdestad •  Anita Skorgan •  Black Lace •  Christina Simon •  Betty Missiego
| |||
| Songs | |||
| Sobe, sobe, balão sobe • Raggio di luna • Disco Tango • Happy Man • Katson sineen taivaan • Notre vie c'est la musique • Sokrati • Trödler und Co • Dschinghis Khan • Hallelujah • Je Suis L'Enfant Soleil • Hey Nana • J'ai déjà vu ça dans tes yeux • Colorado • Satellit • Oliver • Mary Ann • Heute in Jerusalem • Su canción
| |||
Videos[]
Eurovision Song Contest 1979 - Greece - Elpida - Sokrati
Elpida - Sokrati - Σωκράτη (Eurovision Song Contest 1979, GREECE) preview video