Istanbul’s ballad

In Istanbul, in Bosphorus
I am a poor Orhan Veli,
I am the son of Veli,
In an unspeakable melancholy.

I sat on the Rumeli Fortress;
I sat and hummed ballads:

‘Istanbul’s marble stones;
They perch on my head, the seagulls;
I break into tears of sorrow;
                                 My coy love
                                 I am like this because of you."

"A cinema in the middle of Istanbul;
Do not tell my mother my oddness, sadness;
People talk, make love; for all I care. 
                                 My love,
                                 I am the sin lying on your neck!"

In Istanbul, in Bosphorus
I am a poor Orhan Veli;
The son of Veli;
In an unspeakable melancholy.

Orhan Veli

Translated by: Doğa Aslan

Song adaptation:

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