Alay Marşı - 19th Century Turkish Military Music
"Alay Marşı" (Regiment March) is a Turkish march composed by Rıfat Bey.
Rıfat Bey was born in Istanbul in the year 1820. His father was Tanburi Keçi Arif Mehmed Ağa, and his mother was Hatice Hanım, the eldest daughter of Dede Efendi. At a young age, he received education in the Enderun, which was the educational center of the Ottoman palace. He was chosen among the musâhibs, who were officials close to the Sultan. He served as the chief muezzin of the palace, the master music teacher of Enderûn, and the ser-hânende (chief musician) of the Fasl-ı Hümayun, the Sultan's musical ensemble. He held the position of director for the Turkish Music section of the music center in the palace. Rıfat Bey, who was a Mevlevi, had a very beautiful voice. He was the composer who first used the Muhayyerkürdi mode. Around two hundred and eighty of his compositions have reached the present day.
Turkish Lyrics
Annem beni yetiştirdi, bu ellere yolladı.
Al sancağı teslim etti, Allah'a ısmarladı.
Boş oturma, çalış dedi, hizmet eyle vatana.
Sütüm sana helal olmaz, saldırmazsan düşmana.
Arş ileri, marş ileri, Türk askeri dönmez geri...
Yastığımız mezar taşı, yorganımız kan olsun.
Biz bu yoldan dönersek, namus bize ar olsun.
Ne şereftir ölmek bize, bu güzel vatan için!
Yanar yürek yurt aşkıyla daima için için.
Arş ileri, marş ileri, Türk askeri dönmez geri...
English Translation
My mother raised me, sent me to the army.
She handed over the flag, bid farewell to me.
Don't sit idle, she said, serve your country.
My milk is not halal for you if you don't defend against the enemy.
Forward to the march, Turkish soldier never turns back.
Our pillow is a tombstone, our blanket is made of blood.
If we turn back from this path, let shame befall us.
To die for this beautiful homeland is an honor!
The heart burns eternally with love for the homeland.
Forward to the march, Turkish soldier never turns back.