Here's an introduction and lyrics to the national anthem of Turkey, which you will hear at state occasions and sporting matches. It's known as 'İstiklâl Marşı', which translates as 'Independence March'. Interesting fact: it serves as the anthem of both the Republic of Turkey and the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus.
Turkey national anthem: English lyrics
Fear not! The scarlet flag rippling at dawns shall not wither
While my country’s last smoking hearth is yet aflicker.
She is the star of my nation: she is meant to blaze and shine;
She belongs to none but my nation alone, she is mine.
II
Do not frown, I beseech you, oh coy crescent!
But smile at my valiant race… Why this angry, why violent?
Lest our blood spilt for you be unblessed and worthless.
For my nation, who worships God, has the right to independence!
Turkey national anthem: Turkish lyrics
Korkma! Sönmez bu şafaklarda yüzen al sancak,
Sönmeden yurdumun üstünde tüten en son ocak.
O benim milletimin yıldızıdır, parlayacak;
O benimdir, o benim milletimindir ancak.
II
Çatma, kurban olayım, çehreni ey nazlı hilal!
Kahraman ırkıma bir gül; ne bu şiddet, bu celal?
Sana olmaz dökülen kanlarımız sonra helal...
Hakkıdır, Hakk’a tapan milletimin istiklal!
What's the history of the Turkish national anthem?
'İstiklâl Marşı' was officially adopted as Turkey's national anthem on 12 March 1921. Interestingly, that was two and a half years before the Turkish nation was officially established. As such, it served to motivate the soldiers fighting in the Turkish War of Independence.
And what's it about?
The Turkey national anthem lyrics speak about affection for the Turkish land and faith. The anthem is regularly performed at military and state ceremonies, and also at national festivals and sports events.
More national anthem lyrics
You can find the lyrics to many more national anthems elsewhere on our website. You may be looking for the lyrics to the national anthems of Turkey's Group F rivals at Euro 2024. If so, we've got you covered. Here are the lyrics to the Czech national anthem, the national anthem of Portugal, and the Georgian national anthem.