Turkish National Anthem

Where our National Anthem is known as the “Star Spangled Banner”, the Turkish National Anthem
is known as “Istiklâl Marsi”, or The March of Independence. The “Istiklal Marsi” was officially
adopted as Turkey’s National Anthem on March 12, 1921 (although the official music wasn’t adopted
until 1932). A total of 724 poems were submitted to a competition organized to find and select the
most suitable original composition, and a poem written by the poet Mehmet Akif Ersoy was adopted unanimously
by the Turkish Grand National Assembly. There are ten verses to Ersoy’s poem, which reflects the national spirit of
the days of the Turkish struggle for independence, but only the first two are sung as the national anthem.

Twenty-four composers participated in another competition arranged for the selection of a musical composition for
the National Anthem. The Council, which was only able to convene in 1924, due to the War of Independence
adopted the music composed by Ali Rifat Çagatay. The words of the National Anthem were sung to this music for
eight years. Thereafter, the music of the National Anthem was changed to an arrangement written by Zeki Üngör,
conductor of the Presidential Symphonic Orchestra, and the words of the National Anthem have been sung to this
musical accompaniment ever since.

Fear not, the crimson flag, waving in these dawns will never fade
Before the last hearth that is burning in my nation vanishes.
That is my nation’s star, it will shine;
That is mine, it belongs solely to my nation.

Oh coy crescent do not frown for I am ready to sacrifice myself for you!
Please smile upon my heroic nation, why that anger, why that rage?
If you frown, our blood shed for you will not be worthy.
Freedom is the right of my nation who worships God and seeks what is righteous.