Üsküdara Gideriken Lyrics
Üsküdara Gideriken or Kâtibim
(When Going to Üsküdar) or (The Clerk)
This page contains a translation into English of the lyrics to the traditional Turkish song "Üsküdara Gideriken", based on the version recorded by Eartha Kitt. Turkish people usually refer to this song by the title "Kâtibim". Also included are the Turkish lyrics so you can sing along if you like.
Üsküdar is a suburb of Istanbul which before the genocide in the early 20th century was inhabited by several thousand Greeks. It was known in ancient times as Chrysopolis.
Song lyrics are provided for educational purposes. If you like the song, please purchase either the album or a download from an authorized source.
The melody and the lyrics are both traditional from Asia Minor (the land mass where modern-day Turkey resides). Versions of this song exist in both Turkish and Greek.
Some Artists to Record this Song:
- Mario Liberopoulo, ("Apo Xeno Kosmo")
- Giorgos Vidali, ("Ehasa Mantili")
- Lefteris Menemenlis, ("Ehasa Mantili")
- Kazis Miltiadis, ("Ehasa Mantili")
- Virginia Magidou ("Eskoutari")
- Safiye Ayla, , in Turkish ("Kâtibim")
- Eartha Kitt, , in Turkish ("Uska Dara")
- Mohamed El-Bakkar, , in Arabic ("Banat Iskandaria") on his album Port Said
- Zeki Müren, , in Turkish, sang the song in the movie Kâtip (Üsküdar'a Giderken)
- Chris Kalogerson, , instrumental ("Banat Iskandaria") on his album Belly Dancing for Everyone
- Hani Mitwasi, , in Arabic ("Gazali Gazali") on his album Khamrat Al Hob
- Loreena McKennitt, , instrumental ("Sacred Shabbat") on the album An Ancient Muse
Listen to MP3 Clips of This Song
| Sung by Eartha Kitt | |
| Sung by Sirocco | |
| Instrumental by Mediterranean Raqs Band (Saqra) |
Lyrics
This translation is based on recordings by Eartha Kitt. She performed several different versions of the song, each with slightly different variations of the lyrics. Below are two of her versions.
- Eartha Kitt: The Collection
- Another version from one of her other albums
Eartha Kitt: The Collection
This version is from her album titled Eartha Kitt: The Collection. Her title for the song is "Üsküdara Gideriken (A Turkish Tale)".
Turkish Lyrics | English Translation |
| In English (Spoken) | |
| Ushka Dara is the name of a little town in Turkey. And in Ushka Dara they have very many strange ways. Along with these strange ways, there are very many strange sayings. And one of them is "___". It means, "I like to feed my lover bird's milk." | |
| In Turkish | In Turkish |
| Üsküdar'a gider iken aldi da bir yağmur | When [we were] going to Üsküdar, it started to rain. |
| Üsküdar'a gider iken aldi da bir yağmur | When [we were] going to Üsküdar, it started to rain. |
| Kâtip benim, ben kâtibin, ele karisir | The clerk is mine, and I'm the clerk's, and outsiders can't interfere. |
| Katibime kolalı da gömlek ne güzel yaraşır | My clerk looks so good in a starched collar! |
| In English (Spoken) | |
| And there's another saying that goes, "Amaaaaaan. ___". It means, "A fat man usually has a belly like a percolating coffee pot." | |
| In Turkish | In Turkish |
| Üsküdar’a gider iken bir mendil buldum | On the way to Üsküdar I found a kerchief |
| Üsküdar’a gider iken bir mendil buldum | On the way to Üsküdar I found a kerchief |
| Mendilimin içine lokum doldurdum | And I filled the kerchief with lokum (Turkish delight candy) |
| Mendilimin içine lokum doldurdum | And I filled the kerchief with lokum (Turkish delight candy) |
| In English (Spoken) | |
| There's another saying that goes, "Çadırımın üstüne şıp dedi damladı" (1) for which you have to use your imagination! | |
| In Turkish | In Turkish |
| Üsküdar'a gider iken aldi da bir yağmur | When [we were] going to Üsküdar, it started to rain. |
| Üsküdar'a gider iken aldi da bir yağmur | When [we were] going to Üsküdar, it started to rain. |
| Katip benim ben katibin el ne karışır | The clerk is mine, and I'm the clerk's, and outsiders can't interfere. |
| Katibime kolalı da gömlek ne güzel yaraşır | My clerk looks so good in a starched collar |
| La ha ha ahhhhhhhh, la ha ha, ahhhhhhhh, | La ha ha ahhhhhhhh, la ha ha, ahhhhhhhh, |
| Mendilimin içine lokum doldurdum | And I filled the kerchief with lokum (Turkish delight candy) |
| Mendilimin içine lokum doldurdum | And I filled the kerchief with lokum (Turkish delight candy) |
| lokum doldurdum | lokum (Turkish delight candy) I filled |
| lokum doldurdum | lokum (Turkish delight candy) I filled |
| (Spoken Turkish) | |
| In English (Spoken) | |
| Oh, those Turks! | |
- This actually means "The rain dripped on my tent," and it's the first line of the first verse in the Turkish version of the 9/8 song "Rompi Rompi".
Another Version
Turkish Lyrics | English Translation |
| Üsküdar'a gider iken aldi da bir yağmur | When [we were] going to Üsküdar, it started to rain. |
| Üsküdar'a gider iken aldi da bir yağmur | When [we were] going to Üsküdar, it started to rain. |
| Katibimin setresi uzun eteği çamur | My clerk's coat is long, its hem is muddy. |
| Katibimin setresi uzun eteği çamur | My clerk's coat is long, its hem is muddy. |
| Katip uykudan uyanmış gözleri mahmur | The clerk has woken up from sleep, his eyes are languid. |
| Katip uykudan uyanmış gözleri mahmur | The clerk has woken up from sleep, his eyes are languid. |
| Kâtip benim, ben kâtibin, ele karisir | The clerk is mine, and I'm the clerk's, and outsiders can't interfere. |
| Katibime kolalı da gömlek ne güzel yaraşır | My clerk looks so good in a starched collar! |
| In English (Spoken) | |
| Ushka dara is a little town in Turkey. And in the old days, many women had male secretaries. Oh well, that's Turkey. | |
| In Turkish | In Turkish |
| Üsküdar’a gider iken bir mendil buldum | On the way to Üsküdar I found a kerchief |
| Üsküdar’a gider iken bir mendil buldum | On the way to Üsküdar I found a kerchief |
| Mendilimin içine lokum doldurdum | And I filled the kerchief with lokum (Turkish delight candy) |
| Mendilimin içine lokum doldurdum | And I filled the kerchief with lokum (Turkish delight candy) |
| In English (Spoken) | |
| They take a trip from Üsküdara in the rain, and on the way they fall in love. He's wearing a stiff collar in a full dress suit. She looks at him longingly through her veil and casually feeds him candy. Oh, those Turks ! | |
| In Turkish | In Turkish |
| Kâtibimi arar iken yanimda buldum | When I looked for my clerk, I found him at my side. |
| Kâtibimi arar iken yanimda buldum | When I looked for my clerk, I found him at my side. |
| Katip benim ben katibin el ne karışır | The clerk is mine, and I'm the clerk's, and outsiders can't interfere. |
| Katibime kolalı da gömlek ne güzel yaraşır | My clerk looks so good in a starched collar! |
| Kâtibimi arar iken yanimda buldum | When I looked for my clerk, I found him at my side. |
| Kâtibimi arar iken yanimda buldum | When I looked for my clerk, I found him at my side. |
| Katip benim ben katibin el ne karışır | The clerk is mine, and I'm the clerk's, and outsiders can't interfere. |
| Katibime kolalı da gömlek ne güzel yaraşır | My clerk looks so good in a starched collar! |
| Katibime kolalı da gömlek ne güzel yaraşır | My clerk looks so good in a starched collar! |
Other Verses for this Song
Because this is a very old, very traditional song, there are many verses that have arisen over the centuries. Here are some of them:
When [we were] going to Üsküdar, the grocer around the corner,
pencil in hand, added up our accounts.
The clerk is mine and I am his, hands intertwined,
My clerk looks great in a starched shirt!
A canary cage in the hands of my clerk,
My clerk's fez is too small for him.
The clerk is willing to get married.
The clerk is mine and I am his, hands intertwined,
My clerk looks great in a starched shirt!
When [we were] going to Üsküdar, my bundle caught fire.
Someone pulled my cord, my watch fell,
The womanizing Üsküdar men are chasing me!
The clerk is mine and I am his, hands intertwined,
My clerk looks great in a starched shirt!
The boats from Üsküdar are in Istanbul.
My clerk is sitting, he is cracking hazlenuts [filberts].
In his sleep, the clerk calls out my name.
The clerk is mine and I am his, hands intertwined,
My clerk looks great in a starched shirt!
Where to Get Recordings of this Song
Listen to Clip | Artist: Eartha Kitt | |
Listen to Clip | Artist: Eartha Kitt | |
Listen to Clip | Artist: Mediterranean Raqs Band Web Site: seafoodplus.info | |
Listen to Clip | Artist: Sirocco Sirocco Telephone: (+1) () Web Site: seafoodplus.info | |
| Artist: Middle Earth Ensemble |
Related Items On This Site
About the Translator
This translation was created by Eva, a half Turkish, half Persian Oriental dancer and teacher living in Ottawa, Ontario Canada. She loves classical Egyptian, Turkish Rroma and Persian Dance. She is also known as Aasiyah on seafoodplus.info and can be reached at [email protected] Eva is available to do custom song translations from either Turkish or Farsi (Persian) to English. Contact her for current fee schedules. Click on the photo of Eva to the right to see it in more detail. |
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Pink Martini — Üsküdar'a Gider Iken song lyrics and translation
Lyrics translation
While going to Üsküdar aldi is also a rain
While going to Üsküdar aldi is also a rain
My clerk&#;s set, long skirt, mud.
My clerk&#;s set, long skirt, mud.
While going to Üsküdar aldi is also a rain
While going to Üsküdar aldi is also a rain
My clerk&#;s set, long skirt, mud.
My clerk&#;s set, long skirt, mud.
On my way to Üsküdar, I found a handkerchief.
On my way to Üsküdar, I found a handkerchief.
I put marshmallows in my handkerchief
I put marshmallows in my handkerchief
On my way to Üsküdar, I found a handkerchief.
On my way to Üsküdar, I found a handkerchief.
I put marshmallows in my handkerchief
I put marshmallows in my handkerchief
I found it with me when I was looking for my clerk.
I found it with me when I was looking for my clerk.
I&#;m the clerk. I&#;m the clerk.
My clerk, the shirt is so good.
I found it with me when I was looking for my clerk.
I found it with me when I was looking for my clerk.
I&#;m the clerk. I&#;m the clerk.
My clerk, the shirt is so good.
Uskudara Gider iken
"As I was going to Uskudar".. sort of an "As I roved out", but in Istanbul rather than Ireland. This tune is a classic. It has travelled throughout the Balkans gathering many different lyrics. The original Turkish lyrics seem to be about a woman of substance appreciating her male secretary on a stroll down to the seaside. In the Klezmer world this tune became 'Der Terk in Amerika". In Kosovo and Albania there are religious words. In Greece and Serbia the words are about unrequited seafoodplus.info are many versions of the tune on the net. I've linked only 30(!) of them below. I stopped because enough was enough, but I had clearly just scraped the surface. The versions include an Eartha Kitt performance, a Japanese rendition, a groove track, a classical arrangement and a jazz trio with their own interesting interpretation. But the ones to really appreciate are Azize (which is is the basis of the transcription), the Greek version, as well as the oud and saz solos. Clearly this tune deserves respect. Notation Violin Clarinet Whistle (Use Clarinet version with C whistle) Listen Azize Turkish version and the one transcribed Greek version (bouzoukis, oud, strange dulcimer GREAT) Katibim Safiye Ayla Older recording A nice version Turkish show band Flute, oud, darbouka and voice.. nice Turkish Nightclub version A lovely saz solo Oud solo Solo classical guitar Cumbus solo (Banjo Oud) Vocal by anadolka Film track A choral version Jazz trio version Atilla (groove version) Eartha Kitt ! Japanese version! Andalusan group playing Klezmer version.. calling it "Der Turk in Amerika" Another Klezmer appropriation as Terk in Amerika Piano and clarinet (Another Klezmer appropriation) Grup Riveryet (oud, guitar) New York Uni group Fiddle, guitar, mandolin, accordion up tempo Orpheon Chamber Choir Another oud version Amateurs at work Cumbus and fiddle A family ensemble, notable for the banjo-oud Lyrics Üsküdara gider iken Üsküdara gider iken, aldýda bir yagmur. Üsküdara gider iken, aldýda bir yagmur. Kâtibimin setresi uzun etegi çamur. Kâtibimin setresi uzun etegi çamur. Kâtip uykudan uyanmis gözleri mahmur. Kâtip uykudan uyanmis gözleri mahmur. Kâtip benim ben kâtibin el ne karýsýr. Kâtibime kolali da gömlek ne güzel yarasir Üsküdara gider iken, bir mendil buldum. Üsküdara gider iken, bir mendil buldum. Mendilimin içine de lokum doldurdum. Mendilimin içine de lokum doldurdum. Kâtibimi arar iken, yanýmda buldum. Kâtibimi arar iken, yanýmda buldum. Kâtip benim ben kâtibin el ne karýsýr. Kâtibime kolalý da gömlek ne güzel yarasýr. While Going to Üsküdar As I was going to Üsküdar, it started raining. As I was going to Üsküdar, it started raining. My secretary's long skirt trailed in the mud. My secretary's long skirt trailed in the mud. The secretary was tired and his eyes were sleepy. The secretary was tired and his eyes were sleepy. My secretary and I were not holding hands. My secretary's coat was not very comely. As I was going to Üsküdar, I found a handkerchief. As I was going to Üsküdar, I found a handkerchief. There was Turkish delight (kind of candy) inside my handkerchief. There was Turkish delight inside my handkerchief. Looking for my secretary, I found him at my side. Looking for my secretary, I found him at my side. My secretary and I were not holding hands. My secretary's starched blouse was not very comely An alternative set of words. The boat(s) you got on came to Üsküdar. Everybody got out. You got out too. I was waiting for you - only for you. First your hair smelled of the sea. Then no-one's. My great love has no echo I knew but I was foolish. The seagulls knew, the birds knew. You never knew how much I loved you You tossed your hair and left. And some more Üsküdara giderken aldı yağmur- The rain started when I was going to Üsküdar Altıda üstüde bir gemi İstanbul- İstanbul is a ship under and above Paslı tozlu eski ve yeni kalmış- It's rusty, dusty and stayed new Kasnak üstü altı, altı dolu -Its under and above is hoop Sol anahtarı marmara nota martı-I ts treble clef(music) is Marmara(see) and the note(musical) is a gull Kocaman aşkları yere düşüpde kalktı- Its big loves fell on the ground then stood Bu yaşının altında gönül sefası- The pleasure of heart under its age Kız kulesi karşı birde selamsız- Kız kulesi(the castle of the girl) is against and without greeting Yazı kışı baharı çekilecek kahrıda -Its summer, winter, spring we put up with the pain of it Çekiyorki kahrımızı açıyor bahtı- It copes with us, it suffers Akıyor denizi dere gibi ters dönemede- Its sea is flowing like a river on the back curve Çekiyor insanı her güne her dönem- It's pulling people to everyday, to every period Kalabalık açık hava müzesi mahşer- Crowded, open air museum,the Day of Judgment. Kimisine şans kimine de mavzer- It's lucky to somebody, it's Mauser rifle to somebody Kimisine pasda vermeyen bu dilber- This woman doesn't give(a man)the glad eye. Eteğine sarılıp işi () dönenler- The ones whose job turns back () () üfleyip yiyenler- The ones who eats by blowing Herbir köşesi neşe bir köşesi dertten- Its every corner is joy, its one corner is in trouble Üsküdara giderikan aldı yağmur- The rain started when I was going to Üsküdar Gönül sefası- The pleasure of heart İstanbul- İstanbul |
Üsküdar&#;a gider iken
When going to Uskudar , a rain occurs
The coat of my clerk is long, his heels are covered in mud
The clerk is mine and I am his , will mingle other
A lame jacket will look great in my clerk
When going to Uskudar , the grocer around the corner
pencil in hand, had its accounts
The clerk is mine and I am his , will mingle other
A starched shirt also go to rob my clerk
In the hands of my clerk , a canary cage
The fez my cleric is too small for him
The cleric is willing, he will marry
The clerk is mine and I am his , will mingle other
A starched shirt also go to rob my clerk
When going to Uskudar , I found a handkerchief
I filled out the handkerchief loukoums
When looking for my clerk, I found by my side
The clerk is mine and I am his , will mingle other
A fragrant shirt also go to rob my clerk
The clerk walks arm in arm
The words of my clerk move me
The letters of my clerc are in my pockets
The clerk is mine and I am his , will mingle other
A starched shirt also go to rob my clerk
When I going to Uskudar , my bundle caught fire
My cord is pulled , my watch fell
The womanizing Uskudar are chasing me
The clerk is mine and I am his , will mingle other
A starched shirt also go to rob my clerk
The boats from Uskudar in Istanbul
My clerc is sitting, he dissects hazelnuts
In his dream , the clerk about me aloud
The clerk is mine and I am his , will mingle other
A starched shirt also go to rob my clerk