Young Osman Ballad

Genç Osman Türküsü is an epic folk ballad that recounts the heroism of a young warrior from Aksaray who fell martyr during the Baghdad Campaign conducted by the Ottoman Empire in the 17th century. The lyrics and story of the ballad have been preserved in various versions across different regions of Anatolia.

Born in 1621 in the village of Dorikini in Aksaray, Osman lost his father at a young age and was raised by his mother. He excelled in wrestling, archery, and swordsmanship, and was known among his peers for his bravery. In 1638, he wished to join IV. Murad’s Baghdad Campaign, but was rejected due to his young age. Undeterred, Osman secretly joined the army. As the forces approached Baghdad, he caught the sultan’s attention and earned admiration for his courage. During battle, while planting the Ottoman banner on the city walls, Osman was killed in action. His heroism led to him being remembered as “Genç Osman” and the ballad spreading from mouth to mouth among the people.

1. The campaign against Baghdad during the reign of Sultan Murad. 2. The conscription of men who combed their beards. 3. The young man named Genç Osman’s desire to join the army. 4. His pressing the comb against his upper lip as a sign of readiness. 5. Genç Osman’s mother’s reluctance to send her son to war. 6. The commander telling the mother, “I will bring him back,” but not saying, “God willing.”

1. The commander testing Genç Osman on the march by asking him questions. 2. Genç Osman’s friend Köçekçioğlu accompanying him to war. 3. Genç Osman informing the commander that the soldiers’ feet were bare. 4. The commander recognizing the importance of Genç Osman’s observation. 5. Upon further questioning, the soldiers admitting they were hungry. 6. The commander ensuring the soldiers’ hunger was satisfied. 7. The setting up of tents near the seat of the Baghdad government. 8. At night, Osman leaving his tent and going to the edge of a ditch. 9. Osman changing his clothes and attempting to infiltrate the enemy headquarters. 10. Using the pretext of selling eggs to enter the enemy headquarters. 11. Selling the eggs and impressing those he met. 12. Osman visiting the home of a woman. 67 13. The woman placing Osman on a wooden board atop a tub full of milk to hide him. 14. The enemy searching house to house for Genç Osman. 15. The fortune-tellers failing to locate Osman sitting atop the milk. 16. The men being executed for failing to find Genç Osman. 17. Osman leaving the woman’s house. 18. Upon returning to the headquarters, he leaps across the ditch. 19. When he jumps toward the enemy side, the other soldiers follow him. 20. The battle with the enemy begins.

1. Around noon, Genç Osman receives a sword blow to the neck. 2. His entire neck is severed by the enemy. 3. The battle continues for three days. 4. Genç Osman and his friend Köçekçioğlu are martyred. 5. The soldiers return from Baghdad. 6. Genç Osman’s mother sets out on the road to find her son. 7. She fails to see her son among the returning troops. 8. The commander struggles to tell the mother that her son has been martyred. 9. The mother realizes her son is dead. 10. The army returns to Istanbul victorious. 11. Sultan Murad inquires about Genç Osman. 12. They inform him that the hero of the battle has been martyred.^【1】

Of of Genç Osman, a little page you say

With an ibrişim belt tied at his waist, of of.

Ah, among the soldiers, the first page

He passed by saying “Allah, Allah,” of of.

Of of Genç Osman, a little lion you say

No one enters Baghdad’s inner citadel, of of.

Ah, not every mother bears such a lion

He passed by saying “Allah, Allah,” of of.

Of of Genç Osman opened Baghdad’s gate

The enemy’s ranks fled before him, of of.

Ah, he fought for three days with his head in the saddle

He passed by saying “Allah, Allah,” of of.^【2】