Ali Pasha, or Arpa Ektim Biçemedim
This song, known in Turkey by the first line of the lyrics Arpa ektim biçemedim is also known as Ali Paşa Ağıdı “Ali Pasha Lament”. The lament is for a Turkish general, Ali Riza Pasha, who was assassinated by Armenian rebels in 1908. For the full story, see: https://folkdancefootnotes.org/dance/a-real-folk-dance-what-is-it/2nd-generation-dances/ali-pasa-turkey/
Source: Folk Dance Problem Solver, 1997:
Arpa ektim, biçemedim, bir düs gördüm, seçemedim. 2X
Alışmışım soğuk suya, dissiz (ıssığ?) sular içemedim. 2X
Üç atım var, biri binek, arkadaşlar kalkın gidek. 2X
Ali Paşayı vurdular yavrusuna haber verek. 2X
Paşa giyer iki kürkü, biri samur biri tilki. 2X
Ali Paşayı vurdular, harab oldu Van'ın nurdu (mülkü?). 2X
Karavanaya vurdular, yüzbaşılar darıldılar. 2X
Darılmayın yüzbaşılar, Ali Paşayı vurdular. 4X
TRANSLATION: using last word of 3rd verse as nurdu.
I planted barley, never harvested it, I had a dream, didn't recognize it.
I am used to cold waters, I do not drink hot water.
I have 3 horses, one very good one, come on friends, let's get up and go.
General Ali has been shot, let's take the news to his kin.
The General wears 2 fur coats, one is mink, the other is fox.
General Ali has been hit, the wonder of Van (a town in east Anatolia) is gone.
When he asked to eat in the mess hall, captains got mad after all.
You need not get mad, oh captains, General Ali has been hit (shot).
ANOTHER TRANSLATION: using last word of 3rd verse as mülkü. This is the word used in Turkish lyrics originating in Turkey.
I sowed barley, couldn't harvest, I saw a dream, couldn't pick it out.
I am used to cold water, I couldn't drink warm water.
I have three horses, one of them is mounted. Friends, stand up, let's go.
They shot Ali Pasha. Let's give his children the news.
Pasha wears two furs, One is sable, the other is fox.
They shot Ali Pasha. Van's buildings were ruined.
They missed the shot. Captains huffed.
They shot Ali Pasha. Don't huff, captains
translated by Eren Polat
Translator's comments (Google translate): A lament about the shooting of Ali Pasa in the Armenian incidents and the burning of Van. Turkish people in the region have to flee from the east to the cities of the south-east. They're used to cold water, and can not drink the warm waters of the south-east; comparing people to the crops planted in each region.
ALTERNATE Translation of LAST VERSE, supplied by Dick Oakes.
The soldiers beat the cooking pots. The officers were offended.
Don't be offended, officers, they've shot Ali Pasha.
NOTE (Dick Oakes) Beating cooking pots is a sign of mutiny in the army.
I Sowed Barley, Couldn’t Harvest
Source: https://lyricstranslate.com/en/arpa-ektim-bi%C3%A7emedim-i-sowed-barley-couldnt-harvest.html
Arpa Ektim Biçemedim, Bir Düş Gördüm Seçemedim. X2
Alışmışım Soğuk Suya, Issı Sular İçemedim. X2
Allı Gelin Pullu Gelin, Sana Liralar Vereyim.
Bu Güzellik Sende Varken, Beşibirlik Dizdireyim.
Üç Atım Var Biri Binek, Arkadaşlar Kalkın Gidek. X2
Ali Paşa'yı Vurdular, Yavrusuna Haber Verek. X2
Allı Gelin Pullu Gelin, Sana Liralar Vereyim.
Bu Güzellik Sende Varken, Beşibirlik Dizdireyim.
Paşa Giyer İki Kürkü, Biri Samur Biri Tilki. X2
Ali Paşa'yı Vurdular, Haraboldu Van'ın Mülkü. X2
Allı Gelin Pullu Gelin, Sana Liralar Vereyim.
Bu Güzellik Sende Varken, Beşibirlik Dizdireyim.
Karavanaya Vurdular, Yüzbaşılar Darıldılar. X2
Ali Paşa'yı Vurdular, Darılmayın Yüzbaşılar. X2
Allı Gelin Pullu Gelin, Sana Liralar Vereyim.
Bu Güzellik Sende Varken, Beşibirlik Dizdireyim.
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