On A Road, Thin And Long (Uzun İnce Bir Yoldayım) -- Asik Veysel Satiroglu

Lyrics and music: Asik Veysel Satiroglu (1894 – 1973), probably the most well-known folk poet and musician of Turkey. He was a much revered representative of the rural music and poetry of Anatolia. Again probably, it is not my place to write more about him. Here is a short compilation of musical links by and about him.

• Aşık Veysel: www.youtube.com/watch?v=pnv79vuL_GY (music starts after the poem)
• Fazıl Say: www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q6rRMyQpdTg (Frankfurt Radio Symphony Orchestra performance of his composition for piano dedicated to Asik Veysel's "Kara Toprak" piece, captivating)
• Joe Satriani: www.youtube.com/watch?v=gZQp7gjCEIw (From the artist's Asik veysel Podcast. Here is the whole song from his album: www.youtube.com/watch?v=eyVpQViut6M, better sound)
• Tarkan: www.youtube.com/watch?v=kylN0EbXlLY (Quite true to the original, nice performance)
• Doga Icin Cal: www.youtube.com/watch?v=2UcbHrcFN7c (Many performers, many styles, many instruments, ...; must watch the whole recording; a musical protest against the destruction of Earth)
• Cem Karaca and Barış Manço duet: www.youtube.com/watch?v=SVvFJilvjas (Legends performing unprepared)
• Fikret Kızılok: www.youtube.com/watch?v=zd-bEyBjwDI (A very old and bad recording by the master musician; must listen carefully)

Original Lyrics:

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Uzun ince bir yoldayım

Gidiyorum gündüz gece 

Bilmiyorum ne haldeyim 

Gidiyorum gündüz gece

Dünyaya geldiğim anda 

Yürüdüm aynı zamanda 

İki kapılı bir handa

Gidiyorum gündüz gece

Uykuda dahi yürüyom 

Kalmaya sebep arıyom 

Gidenleri hep görüyom 

Gidiyorum gündüz gece

Kırk dokuz yıl bu yollarda 

Ovada dağda çöllerde 

Düşmüşüm gurbet ellerde 

Gidiyorum gündüz gece

Düşünülürse derince 

Uzak gözükür görünce 

Yol bir dakka miktarınca 

Gidiyorum gündüz gece

Şaşar veysel iş bu hale 

Kah ağlaya kahi güle 

Yetişmek için menzile 

Gidiyorum gündüz gece

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NOTES:

1. I came across another translation in Wikipedia page about Asik Veysel by Nermin Menemencioğlu, much better than mine. Translation here should be considered as more literal than hers. I did this in order to convey the feeling of the original. Menemencioglu's is more interpretative.
2. In the fifth stanza of the translation in Wikipedia article, the word "On" is a typographical error. It should be "One".
3. Also, Menemencioglu had made an insertion in the third stanza, which is not found in the original lyrics. I verified the originals, as given here, from his recorded voice. Hence, you are safe! There are various forms circulating here and there.