Sivastopol Marşı - 19th Century Turkish Military Music
Sivastopol Marşı (Sevastopol March) is a Turkish composition by Rifat Bey, created in memory of the Crimean War (1853-1856). This march is featured as the 15th track on the album "Osmanlı Marşları," released by Kalan Müzik on November 15, 1999.
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
Sivastopol önünde yatan gemiler,
Atar nizam topunu yer, gök iniler.
Yardımcıdır bize kırklar, yediler,
Aman kaptan paşa, izin ver bize.
Sılada nişanlımız duacı size.
Sivastopol önünde yıkık minare,
Düşman dedikleri gelmez îmâne.
Erenler geliyor bize imdâde,
Aman da kaptan paşa, izin ver bize.
Sılada nişanlımız duacı size.
Sivastopol önünde musalla taşı,
Sırma kılıç kuşanmış Arap Binbaşı.
Ölürsek şehit, kalırsak gâzi,
Aman kaptan paşa, izin ver bize.
Sılada nişanlımız duacı size.
English Translation
In front of Sevastopol, the ships lie,
Firing the orderly cannon, the earth and sky roar.
The forties and seventies are our helpers,
Oh, Captain Pasha, grant us permission.
Our betrothed in the homeland is praying for you.
In front of Sevastopol, a ruined minaret,
Those they call enemies have no faith.
The saints are coming to help us,
Oh, Captain Pasha, grant us permission.
Our betrothed in the homeland is praying for you.
In front of Sevastopol, the funeral stone,
An Arab Major with a silver sword girded.
If we die, we are martyrs; if we live, we are veterans,
Oh, Captain Pasha, grant us permission.
Our betrothed in the homeland is praying for you.