On this day in 1910, Sofia Vembo "Songstress of Victory" was born

Songs sung with Sofia Vembo's haunting bass voice containing rousing lyrics of hope and inspiration became wartime anthems for Greek troops.

Sofia Vembo, who defied German orders to entertain young Greek soldiers – often undercover – remains a national treasure for generations of Greeks who are still bewitched by her patriotic songs.

Sofia Vembo (Σοφία Βέμπο) became best known for her performance of patriotic songs during the Greco-Italian War when she was dubbed the "Songstress of Victory".

She was born on February 10, 1910, in Gallipoli, East Thrace, Turkey.

In the 1930s, she began her career in Thessaloniki.

Vembo became famous because of her distinctly sonorous contralto voice.

However, her reputation skyrocketed after the Italian attack on Greece on 28 October 1940, when her performance of patriotic and satirical songs became a major inspiration for the fighting soldiers.

At the same time, Vembo offered 2,000 gold pounds from her own fortune to the Hellenic Navy.

Following the German invasion and occupation of the country in April 1941, she was transported to the Middle East, where she continued to perform for the Greek troops in exile.

Because of her role in the war and her efforts during the Axis occupation, Vembo was awarded the rank of Major in the Greek Army.

Some of her songs included:

• Duce puts on his uniform (Βάζει ο Ντούτσε τη στολή του)
• The tobacco box (Η ταμπακιέρα)
• Egyptian girl (Μισιρλού)
• Children, of Greece children (Παιδιά της Ελλάδος παιδιά)
• How I’m sorry (Πόσο λυπάμαι)
• I love you and I like the life (Σ’ αγαπώ και μ’ αρέσει η ζωή)

Vembo's most famous song that encouraged the Greek soldiers during the Greek-Italian War was “Children of Greece, Children,” written after the Italian attack on Greece, on 28. October 1940.

The song still remains popular and is heard on every OXI Day.

After a long and tumultuous relationship with her songwriter and lyricist, Mimi Traiforos, she finally married him in 1957.

Her frail health meant fewer performances in the ‘70s but her defiant spirit shone through during the Polytechneion student rebellion under the oppressive junta regime. Her home soon turned into a sanctuary for students fleeing the military police. Such was the respect she commanded among uniformed troops that the army did not dare question her motives.

Sofia died on March 11, 1978, following a fatal stroke. The throngs at her funeral were a testament to how deeply this lady, who survived war and poverty to become a rallying voice for the brave and wounded, was adored by a grateful nation.

Children, of Greece Children

• Lyrics: Mimis Traiforos
• Music: Michalis Souyoul
• Performer: Sofia Vembo

Among the roads wonder
Mothers and the look
To meet
Their children, who made an oath
When were parting on the station
To win

But for those, who has gone
And the glory wraps them
Let us rejoice
And let no one ever cry
Let her burn every her pain
And let us bless

Children, of Greece children
Who fight severely up in mountains
Children, to sweet Mother of God
We all pray for you to come back again

And I say to all those, who love
And doesn’t sleep night for someone
And sigh,
That the bitterness and fear
To a honorable Greek woman
Do not suit

Greek women of Zalongo
And of the city, and of the forest
And Plaka residents
However bitterly we feel pain
Let us say proudly
As Souliot women

Children, of Greece children
Who fight severely up in mountains
Children, to sweet Mother of God
We all pray for you to come back again

With the branches of victory
We are waiting for you, children.