Sema oldu lacivert,
Sabah vakti olmadan,
Hava gibi olsun dert,
Sabah vakti olmadan!
Şehirleri gidelim,
Meydanları görelim,
Sokakları gezelim,
Sabah vakti olmadan!
Güzel güzel neşeler,
İkram eder geceler,
Duyulur hep nağmeler,
Sabah vakti olmadan!
A Şarkı (song) written in the style of Nedim, a leading poet from the Tulip Period of the Ottoman Empire known for his dainty fancies and picturesque images in his poetry. I was very inspired after reading his Divan (collection of poems) so here is my try trying to shape a softness of touch and singing about simple pleasures of the city-life. Here is an English translation:
The sky became purple,
Before the time of dawn,
Like air should worries become,
Before the time of dawn!
Let's go to the cities,
Let's see the squares,
Let's explore the streets,
Before the time of dawn!
The beautiful joys,
The nights do offer,
Tunes are heard,
Before the time of dawn!