Istanbul

The city holds my heart

Where it sits so far away

at the crossroads of

the Black Sea and Marmara

on the Boğaziçi strait.

The city holds my heart

Buy a simit from the stand

riding the ferry all day

feeding the seagulls

from my hand.

The city holds my heart

The rhythm of the streets

the taxi and the delivery bikes

walking up and down the hills

matches the rhythm of my

heartbeat.

The city holds my heart

How the drivers honk by day

and by night, the meow of

the cats as they go their

merry way.

The city holds my heart

Waking up to the sound of

the squawking birds

telling me it's time to

awake and always demanding

to be heard.

The city holds my heart

My favorite place to be

with my eyes closed tight

listening to the Adhan

from the balcony.

The City holds my heart

The people hold such honor

I say to them “Elinize sağılık"

And bless the mothers

and the fathers.

The City holds my heart

The people on the street

The greatest to the least

the drunk man to the priest.

from North, South, West

and East.

The city holds my heart

The family I left behind

I love them, they're so kind

I pray that Allah always

Protects them until I can

return And once more make

the city mine.