Şehzade Süleyman Marşı - 20th Century Turkish Military Music
"Şehzade Süleyman Marşı" (Prince Süleyman March) is a musical composition attributed to the composer Kazım Uz, also known as Muallim. Its lyrical authorship remains unspecified. Composed in the Segah makam (mode) and adhering to the Nim Sofyan usul (rhythm), this piece takes the form of a march. The marşı serves as a musical homage dedicated to Şehzade Süleyman Efendi, the son of Orhan Gazi. Renowned for his military prowess and conquests in Rumelia, he is said to have led successful campaigns with his forces.
Kazım Uz, born in Istanbul's Draman district in either 1872 or 1873, was the son of İşkodralı Mustafa Ağa, a clerk in the Post and Telegraph Ministry. After his primary education, he continued his studies at Fâtih Military Secondary School and later at Dârüşşafaka. Following graduation in 1892, he joined the Post and Telegraph Ministry's Accounting Office, receiving a silver medal for his work. He served at the Imperial Music Academy until 1895. Kazım Uz then worked for almost forty years at the Ministry of Education, holding various teaching and administrative positions. He passed away in 1943 and was buried at Edirnekapı Cemetery in Istanbul.
Turkish Lyrics
Düştü vakta ki rahm-ı maderden Osman aşikar,
Saçtı rahmet millet-i Osmaniyane girdigar.
İleri, ileri, haydi ileri,
Alalım düşmandan eski yerleri.
Şehzade Sultan Süleyman hem vezir, hem şahımız,
Geçtiler Rumeli'ye sal ile, arttı şanımız.
İleri, ileri, haydi ileri,
Alalım düşmandan eski yerleri.
Dört yüz arslandan bu vatan kaldı bize yadigar,
Terk edersek lanet etmez mi bize perverdigar?
İleri, ileri, haydi ileri,
Alalım düşmandan eski yerleri.
English Translation
When Osman fell into his mother's womb,
The mercy was scattered to the people of Osman.
Forward, forward, come on, forward,
Let's take back the old lands from the enemy.
Prince Sultan Süleyman, our vizier and our king,
They went to Rumelia with a sword, our glory increased.
Forward, forward, come on, forward,
Let's take back the old lands from the enemy.
Out of four hundred lions, this homeland remains as a legacy to us,
If we abandon it, won't the Creator curse us?
Forward, forward, come on, forward,
Let's take back the old lands from the enemy.