Ömer Faruk Bostan performs ‘Erik Dalı & Ölem Ben & Huriyem,’ a traditional Turkish folk medley from the Potpori 2021 album. The lyrics writer and composer draw from centuries-old Anatolian storytelling. The musician brings these timeless words to life with a modern touch.
Released: June 25, 2021
Erik Dalı & Ölem Ben & Huriyem (Potpori 2021)
Ömer Faruk Bostan
Erik Dalı & Ölem Ben & Huriyem (Potpori 2021) Lyrics Translation – Ömer Faruk Bostan
The lyrics describe the fragility of a plum tree and a delicate girl, drawing parallels between their vulnerabilities. A standout line, ‘Let the hands dance, let them play,’ invites listeners to celebrate life despite gossip. The storyteller contrasts these images with themes of love and sacrifice, weaving a rich narrative.
Erik dali gevrektirThe plum tree branch is brittle and dry,
Erik dali gevrektirthe plum tree branch is brittle and dry.
Amanin basmaya gelmezOh my, it cannot bear the pressure,
Haydi basmaya gelmezcome on, it cannot bear the pressure.
Elin kizi naziktirThe stranger’s daughter is gentle and soft,
El kizi naziktirthe stranger’s daughter is gentle and soft.
Amanin kusmeye gelmezOh my, she cannot handle a quarrel,
Haydi kusmeye gelmezcome on, she cannot handle a quarrel.
Eller oynasin ellerLet the hands dance, let them play,
Diller kaynasin dillerlet the tongues wag and chatter away.
Eller ne derse desinlerNo matter what the strangers might say,
O dillerini yesinlerlet them eat their own words today.
Amanin oynasin ellerOh my, let the hands dance and play,
Diller kaynasin dillerlet the tongues wag and chatter away.
Eller ne derse desinlerNo matter what the strangers might say,
O dillerini yesinlerlet them eat their own words today.
Erik dali gevrektirThe plum tree branch is brittle and dry,
Erik dali gevrektirthe plum tree branch is brittle and dry.
Amanin egmeye gelmezOh my, it won’t survive the bending,
Haydi egmeye gelmezcome on, it won’t survive the bending.
Elin kizi naziktirThe stranger’s daughter is gentle and soft,
El kizi naziktirthat girl is sensitive and soft.
Amanin degmeye gelmezOh my, she shouldn’t be touched,
Haydi degmeye gelmezcome on, she shouldn’t be touched.
Eller oynasin ellerLet the hands dance, let them play,
Diller kaynasin dillerlet the tongues wag and chatter away.
Eller ne derse desinlerNo matter what the strangers might say,
O dillerini yesinlerlet them eat their own words today.
Amanin oynasin ellerOh my, let the hands dance and play,
Diller kaynasin dillerlet the tongues wag and chatter away.
Eller ne derse desinlerNo matter what the strangers might say,
O dillerini yesinlerlet them eat their own words today.
SakirdaShake it!
Gide gele bir sogude dayandim ben dayandimPacing back and forth, I finally leaned against a willow tree,
O sogudun allarına boyandim gelin boyandimand I was dyed in that willow’s scarlet hues, my bride.
O sogudun allarına boyandim gelin boyandimI was dyed in that willow’s scarlet hues, my bride.
Olem ben olem benLet me die, oh let me die,
Kurban olam agzindakiI’d sacrifice myself for the tongue,
Dile ben yarim dile benthat speaks inside your mouth, my love.
Olem ben olem benLet me die, oh let me die.
Kurban olam agzindakiI’d sacrifice myself for the tongue,
Dile ben yarim dile benthat speaks inside your mouth, my love.
Ben o yare daglar kadar guvendim guvendimI trusted that love as steadily as the mountains,
Guvendigim daglar onume geldi onume geldibut the mountains I trusted became obstacles in my path.
Guvendigim daglar onume geldi onume geldiThe mountains I trusted became obstacles in my path.
Olem ben olem benLet me die, oh let me die,
Kurban olam agzindakiI’d sacrifice myself for the tongue,
Dile ben yarim dile benthat speaks inside your mouth, my love.
Olem ben olem benLet me die, oh let me die,
Kurban olam agzindakiI’d sacrifice myself for the tongue,
Dile ben yarim dile benthat speaks inside your mouth, my love.
Fistan bictim dar geldi Huriye’mI cut fabric for a dress, but it was too tight, my Huriye.
Fistan bictim dar geldi Huriye’mI cut fabric for a dress, but it was too tight, my Huriye.
Hastalandim yar geldi vay amanI fell ill, and my love came to see me, oh my.
Hastalandim yarim geldi vay amanI fell ill, and my love came to see me, oh my.
Samama da kucuk hanim samamaMy little ‘shamama’ melon, my little lady,
Samama da kucuk hanim samamamy little ‘shamama’ melon, my little lady.
Her gun gider sinemaya hamamaEvery day she goes to the cinema or the ‘hamam’,
Her gun gider sinemaya hamamaevery day she goes to the cinema or the ‘hamam’.
Geldiyse yarim geldi Huriye’mIf anyone has come, it was my love who came, my Huriye.
Geldiyse yarim geldi Huriye’mIf anyone has come, it was my love who came, my Huriye.
Basima neler geldi vay amanOh, what things have happened to me, oh my,
Ah basima neler geldi vay amanah, what troubles have fallen on my head, oh my.
Samama da kucuk hanim samamaMy little ‘shamama’ melon, my little lady.
Samama da kucuk hanim samamaMy little ‘shamama’ melon, my little lady.
Her gun gider sinemaya hamamaEvery day she goes to the cinema or the ‘hamam’,
Her gun gider sinemaya hamamaevery day she goes to the cinema or the ‘hamam’.
Erik Dalı & Ölem Ben & Huriyem (Potpori 2021) Music Video
The lyrics of ‘Erik Dalı & Ölem Ben & Huriyem’ celebrate resilience and joy in the face of challenges. This Turkish folk medley is part of Ömer Faruk Bostan’s Potpori 2021 album.