Quotations and Literature Forum

Hail, ladies and gentlemen. Here's another tale from this so-called bard...

Since 1951

Osman, son of Islambay, decided to be a rebel, after he saw that chinese humiliated his father. He quickly turned into a great figure of Central Asian Turks, and his people bestowed him the title "Batur" (meaning hero in Turkic. my name, Bahadır is an evolved form of it, used in western Turkic dialects). He won many victories, alas he didn't have the technology those chinese had, after years of guerilla warfare in mountains, he was captured wounded. chinese executed him by chopping his hands, legs and head and exhibited his body on streets of Urumqi, capitol of future independent state "East Turkestan". About him, an English writer, Godfrey Lias said "if he lived in the era of the handguns, swords and courage but not bombs, airplanes and tanks; fate of Central Asian Turks would be really different."

This was a great loss for Turks of china. Osman Batur was the last hope they had, after his fall, many who involved in the rebellion was forced be volunteerly exiled to the Turkey, only independent Turkic state that time. Many tried to reach Turkey via land routes, they marched thousands of miles, on bare foot, with scarce food, being attacked by outlaws, trying to avoid security forces of states between china and Turkey. thousands died on the way, many families were seperated, and that was one of the greatest sorrows my nation suffered.

And, a young "kopuz" player (kopuz, komuz, komis is the name for Turkic lute) managed to reach the Turkey with few. He was seperated from his love, and in Turkey, composed this in memoriam:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YwP6uCTf4vQ

(subtitles are in Turkey Turkic)

translation:

Oh, your lips used to called me "honey"
Oh, your words, calling me "dear"
Oh, your eyes, your black eyes
i now think about you, only
How can i forget you?
How can i forget you all?

where we met was a city in Altai (Altai mountains, Turkic homeland)
While we used to wander in it together
you said "i love you"
we share the same mind
How can i forget you?
How can i forget you all?

We used to visit a village in Altai
A great joy we had!
We sang songs "i love you!"
we wandered freely
How can i forget you?
How can i forget you all?

Mourn not, my black eyed
My white-hearted lamb
perhaps i left half of my heart behind
but we must march, and life is long
How can i forget you?
How can i forget you all?

oh Türkistan!
How can i forget you?

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"God is a comedian, playing to an audience too afraid to laugh."
Voltaire

Thank you, Young Bard, (no so-called ) for a great translation. I still have no sound, but that clip was beautiful.

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The most wasted of all days is one without laughter.
e e cummings (1894 - 1962)