Translated and arranged by Boris Anisimov.

This is a humorous song from the Soviet times about the natural differences between men and women. We are different for a reason, but even a mighty sultan has a hard time coping with it.

The comic effect is in the fact that the character who sings the song is a poor commoner claiming to have knowledge of the royal family life.

You are welcome to enjoy the selected art dedicated to the culture of the splendid Ottoman Empire.

ENGLISH LYRICS:
If a sultan I was, I would have three wives.
Who would not want three belles always by his side?
Having three is a plus, gladly I admit.
But they'd make such a fuss, Gracious God forbid!

A mighty sultan can marry three wives.
And so much trouble will enter his life.

My first wife Sulfiah would be doing chores
With Fatmah and Ghuli busy mending clothes.
Though they say marriage is such a noble cause,
God forbid you should have three times more in-laws.

A mighty sultan can marry three wives.
And so much trouble will enter his life.

If each wife did allow me a drink or two,
Not enough for a binge, but still it would do.
Then if I came back home tipsy late at night,
With each one of the three I would have a fight.

A mighty sultan can marry three wives.
And so much trouble will enter his life.

What’s the course that the Great Sultan should embrace?
Three or one? But this point is a settled case.
To a question like that, a simple answer comes:
If a sultan I was, wouldn’t marry none!

A mighty sultan can marry three wives.
And so much trouble will enter his life.

ORIGINAL LYRICS:
Если б я был султан, я б имел трех жен
И тройной красотой был бы окружен.
Но с другой стороны при таких делах
Столько бед и забот, ах, спаси Аллах!

Не очень плохо иметь три жены,
Но очень плохо с другой стороны.

Зульфия мой халат гладит у доски.
Шьет Гюли, а Фатьма штопает носки.
Три жены красота, что не говори,
Но с другой стороны тещи тоже три.

Не очень плохо иметь три жены,
Но очень плохо с другой стороны.

Если даст мне жена каждая по сто,
Итого триста грамм – это кое что!
Но когда на бровях прихожу домой,
Мне скандал предстоит с каждою женой!

Не очень плохо иметь три жены,
Но очень плохо с другой стороны.

Как быть нам султанам, ясность тут нужна.
Сколько жен в самый раз? Три или одна?
На вопрос на такой есть ответ простой –
Если б я был султан, был бы холостой!

Не очень плохо иметь три жены,
Но очень плохо с другой стороны.

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