RE: Misirlou

Dick Dale is of Middle-Eastern descent (Lebanese on the father's side) and his family married into Armenian. Supposedly where/how he picked up the melody.

American exotica aficiandos are quick to point out the early rebetiko covers were mostly recorded in the States. They claim Egyptian سيد درويش (Sayed Darwish, 1892-1923) and "Bint Misr (Egyptian Girl)" (c.1919, Fabrik Setrak Mechian.)

Ancient melody, lyrics not so much (maybe.)

"Traditional" rebetiko by way of Suffolk/North Essex courtesy of Bijoux Toots.