Sancak Marşı - 20th Century Turkish Military Music
"Sancak Marşı" (Flag March) is a significant piece in Turkish music, composed by İzzettin Hümayi Elçioğlu with lyrics by İbrahim Alâaddin Gövsa. Set in the Rast makam (mode), this march holds a special place as it embodies themes of patriotism, unity, and national pride.
İzzettin Hümayi Elçioğlu was born in the Nişanca neighborhood of Istanbul, Fatih. His father was Hâfız Ahmed Şemseddin, one of the sheikhs of the Bülbülcüzâde Tekke in the same neighborhood, and his mother was Kamer Hanım. After completing his primary education, he graduated from Hırkaişerif Atay Rüşdiyesi (Middle School) and continued his education at Çemberlitaş İdâdîsi (High School). After graduating from there, he began working at the Dahiliye Nezâreti (Ministry of Internal Affairs) Mektûbî Kalemi (Correspondence Office). During this time, he also worked at the Adliye Nezâreti (Ministry of Justice). After about twenty years of service in Bâbıâli (the Sublime Porte), he transitioned to the teaching profession. After working for many years at Üsküdar, Kabataş, Davutpaşa, Gelenbevi high schools, and other secondary education institutions, he retired while serving as a music teacher at Onaltıncı İlk Mektep (Sixteenth Primary School). He passed away on October 3, 1950, in Fatih and was buried in the cemetery outside the walls of Edirnekapı.
Turkish Lyrics
Ertuğrul'un ocağında uyandın.
Şehitlerin kanlarıyla boyandın.
Nice düşman kâl'asına uzandın.
Sana selam ey şanlı Türk sancağı!
Çırpınarak dalgalanır kanadın.
Gökyüzüne çıkmak mıdır muradın?
Gölgende can vermek ister evlâdın.
Sana selam ey şanlı Türk sancağı!
English Translation
You woke up in the hearth of Ertuğrul,
You were dyed with the blood of martyrs.
You reached the fortresses of many enemies,
Hail to you, glorious Turkish flag!
Your wings flutter, waving in the air,
Is your goal to ascend to the sky?
Your children wish to sacrifice themselves in your shadow,
Hail to you, glorious Turkish flag!