Çiçek Nedir Görmeden Bozkırlara Dalmışsan - Selahattin İçli - 20th Century Turkish Music

"Çiçek Nedir Görmeden Bozkırlara Dalmışsan" is a song composed by Selahattin İçli with lyrics by Sedat Ergintuğ. It is in the Kürdilihicazkar makam (mode) and Nim Sofyan usul (rhythm).

Selahattin İçli was a Turkish composer and ud player, born in İstanbul on October 6, 1923. He received his initial music education from his father, and continued to study makam and usul from him from the age of 12. He began his career as a doctor after graduating from İstanbul Medical Faculty in 1949, but continued to pursue music in his spare time. In 1981, he was appointed a teacher at İstanbul Technical University Turkish State Music Conservatory, where he taught composition. İçli is best known for his compositions in Turkish classical music. Some of his notable works include "Zeytin Gözlüm", "Gül Açılsın Dudağında Gülüver", "Hüzün Zaman Zaman Deli Dalgalarla Gelir", and "Ayrılık Var Çıkan Falda". He passed away on October 14, 2006.

Turkish Lyrics

Çiçek nedir görmeden bozkırlara dalmışsan,
Çaldığın kapılardan hep nasihat almışsan,
Üstelik bu âlemde aşktan mahrum kalmışsan,
Desene ki güzelim sen hiç yaşamamışsın.

Su verdiğin goncalar açmadan soluyorsa,
Sığındığın geceler insafsız oluyorsa,
Üstelik bu hikâye aşksız son buluyorsa,
Desene ki güzelim sen hiç yaşamamışsın.

English Translation

If you've delved into the steppes without seeing what a flower is,
If you've always received advice from the doors you knocked on,
And if you've been deprived of love in this world,
Then it means, my dear, you've never truly lived.

If the flowers you've watered wither before blooming,
If the nights you've sought refuge in become merciless,
And if this story ends without love,
Then it means, my dear, you've never truly lived.