I am listening to Istanbul, my eyes closed:
At first there is a gentle breeze
And the leaves on the trees
Softly sway;
In the distance, far away,
The incessant rattling of water peddlers' bells.
I am listening to Istanbul, my eyes closed.
I am listening to Istanbul, my eyes closed;
Then suddenly birds fly by;
From high above, flocks, with a hue and cry.
Nets are being drawn in the fishing grounds;
A woman's feet begin to dabble in the water;
I am listening to Istanbul, my eyes closed.
I am listening to Istanbul, my eyes closed;
The Grand Bazaar is serene and cool
Lively Mahmutpaşa1
Courtyards full of pigeons
While hammers bang and clang at the docks
Spring winds bear the smell of sweat;
I am listening to Istanbul, my eyes closed.
I am listening to Istanbul, my eyes closed;
Still giddy from the revelries of the past,
A waterfront mansion with dim taverns;
Amid the muted roar of southern winds,
I am listening to Istanbul, my eyes closed.
I am listening to Istanbul, my eyes closed;
A pretty girl walks by on the sidewalk;
Curses, songs, melodies, catcalls.
Something falls out of her hand
It must be a rose;
I am listening to Istanbul, my eyes closed.
I am listening to Istanbul, my eyes closed;
A bird flutters around your skirts;
On your brow is there sweat, or not? I know.
Are your lips wet, or not? I know.
A silver moon rises beyond the pine trees
I can sense it all in your heart's beat.
I am listening to Istanbul, my eyes closed.
Translated by: Mehmet Barın Erturan
Click for the original text
- Mahmutpaşa Bazaar is a shopping street in Istanbul. ↩︎
Song adaptation: