The city holds my heart
Where it sits so far away
at the crossroads of
the Black Sea and Marmara
on the Boğaziçi strait.

The city holds my heart
Buy a simit from the stand
riding the ferry all day
feeding the seagulls
from my hand.

The city holds my heart
The rhythm of the streets
the taxi and the delivery bikes
walking up and down the hills
matches the rhythm of my
heartbeat.

The city holds my heart
How the drivers honk by day
and by night, the meow of
the cats as they go their
merry way.

The city holds my heart
Waking up to the sound of
the squawking birds
telling me it's time to
awake and always demanding
to be heard.

The city holds my heart
My favorite place to be
with my eyes closed tight
listening to the Adhan
from the balcony.

The City holds my heart
The people hold such honor
I say to them “Elinize sağılık"
And bless the mothers
and the fathers.

The City holds my heart
The people on the street
The greatest to the least
the drunk man to the priest.
from North, South, West
and East.

The city holds my heart
The family I left behind
I love them, they're so kind
I pray that Allah always
Protects them until I can
return And once more make
the city mine.