#Kâtibim ( my secretary ) is a Turkish #folksong about someone's secretary (kâtip) as they travel to Üsküdar. The tune is a famous Istanbul türkü, which is spread beyond Turkey in many countries, especially in the Balkans.
First notable recording by Safiye Ayla from 1949 is Available now a days. During the time of recording, Ayla was also a member of the assembly at the Istanbul City Conservatory.
With lyrics, and incorporating an English adaptation by Stella Lee, in 1953 the song was recorded in the USA as "Uskudara" (A Turkish Tale of Two Lovers) by Eydie Gormé and Eartha Kitt. The interpretation of the internationally known vocal star Eartha Kitt, accompanied by an instrumental set, could be based on that of Safiye Ayla.
Modern composers such as Ali Darmar have also arranged the tune. A very early publication for the Central European region took place from around 1960 by the second volume of the series of the UNESCO Commission European Songs in the Origins, whose song notation for "Üsküdara gideriken" goes back to a written source from 1952. It shows striking similarities with the version sung by #SafiyeAyla (1907-1998)
Indian Bengali music composer and poet #KaziNazrulIslam (1899-1976) used this Turkish tune for his Bengali song “Sukno Patar Nupur Paye” . The another modern Bengali music
composer, Polyglot and poet #BitanPurokayastha sang the original Turkish text “Kâtibim" (Uskudara gideriken aldida bir yagmur) with the unique improvisation of Kazi Nazrul .
Through this video-song you may also enjoy many of important places of modern and ancient Turkey .
English translation of the song for international listener :
On the way to Üsküdar, rain poured down.
My clerk's frock coat is long, with its skirt muddied.
It seems the clerk just woke up, his eyes are languid.
The clerk belongs to me, I belong to the clerk, what is it to others?
How handsome my clerk looks with starched shirts!
On the way to Üsküdar, I found a handkerchief.
I filled the handkerchief with Turkish delight.
As I was looking for my clerk, I found him next to me.
The clerk belongs to me, I belong to the clerk, what is it to others?
How handsome my clerk looks with starched shirts!
