Ceddin Deden - 20th Century Turkish Military Music
"Ceddin Deden" (Your Ancestors) is a Turkish military march composed by Ali Rıza Şengel in the 1910s. The first documented performance of the composition was during the state visit of the German Emperor William II. in Istanbul in 1917. Today, the composition is one of the most famous Turkish marches and the Mehter group uses it in their performances all over the world. It is also used by the armed forces of Turkey during military parades.
Ali Rıza Şengel was a Turkish musicologist, composer, and teacher. He was born in the Eyüp district of Istanbul in 1879. His father was a zâkirbaşı (head chanter) and composer of religious music, and his mother was the daughter of the şeyh (head) of the Emîr Buhârî Tekke.
Şengel began his musical education at a young age, studying with his father and other musicians. He also attended the Muallim İsmail Hakkı Bey'in Musiki Dershanesi (Muallim İsmail Hakkı Bey's Music School), where he studied solfege and music theory.
In 1908, Şengel made his first public appearance as a singer at a benefit concert for the Donanma Cemiyeti (Navy Society). In 1914, he was appointed mehterbaşı (chief musician) of the Mehterhâne-yi Hâkānî (Imperial Military Band). He also taught at the Mûsikī-i Osmânî Cemiyeti'nin Eyüp şubesi (Eyüp branch of the Ottoman Music Society) and worked for the Istanbul and Ankara radios.
Şengel was a prolific composer, and his works include religious and secular pieces in a variety of forms. He is best known for his religious compositions, including his tevşîh (strophic songs) and ilâhî (hymns). His most famous work is the eski Ordu Marşı (Old Army March), which is still performed by the Mehter today.
Şengel died in Istanbul in 1953. He was a respected musicologist and composer, and his work has had a lasting impact on Turkish music.
Turkish Lyrics
Ceddin deden, neslin baban,
Ceddin deden, neslin baban,
En kahraman Türk milleti.
Orduların, pek çok zaman,
Vermiştiler dunya şan.
Orduların, pek çok zaman,
Vermiştiler dunya şan.
Türk milleti, Türk milleti,
Türk milleti, Türk milleti,
Aşk ile sev milliyeti.
Kahret vatan tüfünını,
Çeksin o mel'un zilleti.
Kahret vatan tüfünını,
Çeksin o mel'un zilleti.
English Translation
Your ancestor is your grandfather; your lineage is your father.
Always heroic, the Turkish nation!
Your armies, for a very long time,
Basked in glory around the globe.
The Turkish nation, the Turkish nation,
Love nationalism with passion.
Destroy, O nation, your enemy,
Let them suffer in their cursed disgrace.