Zahit Bizi Tan Eyleme [English translation]

Zahit*, do not revile us (Hayy Hayy**)

Our lips talk the name of God (hey dear, hey dear)

Our lips talk the name of God (eyvallah***, hey friend)

Do not ever tell legends (Hayy Hayy)

Our way reaches His Excellency**** (hey dear, hey dear)

Our way reaches His Excellency (eyvallah, hey friend)

We cannot be counted on fingers (Hayy Hayy)

We will not die out by breaking***** (hey dear, hey dear)

We will not die out by breaking (eyvallah, hey friend)

By asking for us in our town (Hayy, Hayy)

Noone will know of our situation (hey dear, hey dear)

Noone will know of our situation (eyvallah, hey dost)

Saints have many different ways (Hayy Hayy)

We said yes to all of them (hey dear, hey dear)

We said yes to all of them (eyvallah, hey friend)

Those who see us think we are insane (Hayy Hayy)

Our insane is preferable to the (/their) tame (Hey dear, hey dear)

Our insane is preferable to the (/their) tame (eyvalalh, hey friend)

(Spoken: Biz Hayy isek, siz de Hayy'sınız. Siz Hu****** iseniz, biz de Hu'yuz. Hayy'dan gelen Hu'ya gider.

If we are Hayy (God), you are also Hayy. If you are Hu (God), then we are also Hu. Who comes from Hayy, turns to Hu (what comes from God, turns to God).)

Muhyi******* you received favour (Hayy Hayy)

If you are a lover (of God), so much the better (hey dear, hey dear)

If you are a lover (of God), so much the better (eyvallah, hey friend)

Mercy to all the world (Hayy Hayy)

Our poor hands spread (hey dear, hey dear)

Our poor hands spread (eyvallah, hey friend)

Notes: This is a poem (nefes) belonging to the Sufi Mysticism of Anatolian Bektaşi school. It uses symbols and teachings of the said school. The language is somewhat old and philosophical.

* Zahit or Zahid is a personification in Sufi mysticism; he is an ascetic who lives life exactly as ordered by the religion. His opposite is Rind (the poem is told by him). Rind does not limit himself with rules or norms, he wants to reach God through love. Zahids criticize Rinds because of their penchant for wine, but Rinds are actually focused on love.

** Hayy is one of the 99 names of Allah, God.

*** A term of acceptance; 'so be it'.

**** The God

***** Here, by breaking means by killing.

****** Hu is one of the 99 names of Allah, God.

******* Muhyi is the poet who wrote this poem. It is customary to include oneself in the last verse.

• Artist:Erkan Oğur
• Album:Anadolu Beşik