The Music of Snow Flakes


by Yahya Kemal BEYATLI
 

This is music that makes a night a thousand years.
This snow flake’s voice, lingering for just as long.

As in a deep, dark monastery's sad chants
The chorus continues its droning through countless lips

Redbud tree's expansion from the depths.
I had heard but couldn’t take the joy from Islav’s sorrow.

My mind is far away from this city now
An old record of Tanburi Cemil is playing

Suddenly, I am happy, and desire to hear,
My heart is full with the essence of Istanbul’s sound ...

All night, in my sleep, I was in the bay
The falling snow and a darkness had gone so far away.

-  Translated by: Bircan Ünver - April 2008
-  Edited by: Emily Alp

* * * * *

KAR MUSIKILERI

Yahya Kemal BEYATLI (1884 – 1958)

Bin yıldan uzun bir gecenin bestesidir bu.
Bin yıl sürecek zannedilen kar sesidir bu.

 
Bir kuytu manastırda dualar gibi gamlı,
Yüzlerce ağızdan koro halinde devamlı,

 
Bir erguvanin ahengi yayılmakta derinden...
Duydumsa da zevk almadım İslav kederinden.

 
Zihnim bu şehirden bu devirden çok uzakta,
Tanburi Cemil Bey çalıyor eski plakta.

Birdenbire mes’udum işitmek hevesiyle,
Gönlüm dolu İstanbul’un en özlü sesiyle.

 
Sandım ki uzaklaştı yağan kar ve karanlık,
Uykumda bütün bir gece Körfez’deyim artık !