Istanbul
Ella Fitzgerald & Bing Crosby Lyrics


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Istanbul was Constantinople
Now it's Istanbul, not Constantinople
Been a long time gone, Constantinople
Now it's Turkish delight on a moonlit night

Every gal in Constantinople
Lives in Istanbul, not Constantinople
So if you've a date in Constantinople
She'll be waiting in Istanbul

Even old New York was once New Amsterdam
Why they changed it I can't say
People just liked it better that way

So, take me back to Constantinople
No, you can't go back to Constantinople
Been a long time gone, Constantinople
Why did Constantinople get the works?
That's nobody's business but the Turks

Istanbul

Istanbul

Even old New York was once New Amsterdam
Why they changed it I can't say
People just liked it better that way

Istanbul was Constantinople
Now it's Istanbul, not Constantinople
Been a long time gone, Constantinople
Why did Constantinople get the works?
That's nobody's business but the Turks

So, take me back to Constantinople
No, you can't go back to Constantinople
Been a long time gone, Constantinople
Why did Constantinople get the works?
That's nobody's business but the Turks





Istanbul

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Ella Fitzgerald & Bing Crosby's song of "Istanbul (Not Constantinople)" are an interesting reflection of the history and cultural identity of the city formerly known as Constantinople. The song starts by acknowledging the fact that the city was once known as Constantinople, which was the Greek name for the city established by the Roman Emperor Constantine in the early 4th century AD. The Ottoman Empire conquered the city in 1453 and renamed it Istanbul, which is derived from the Greek phrase "εἰς τὴν Πόλιν" (pronounced "eis tin Polin"), meaning "to the city."


The song further explores the change in names and cultural identity by noting that every gal that lived in Constantinople now resides in Istanbul. This line serves to show the continuity of the city's population despite the change in name and cultural identity. The song then goes on to compare the name change to the transformation of New Amsterdam into New York, suggesting that people always prefer the newer name.


However, the song questions the reasons behind the name change and the ultimate fate of the city. The line "why did Constantinople get the works? That's nobody's business but the Turks" serves to acknowledge the imperialist nature of the change in names and identity, and the fact that the city's history is tied to the Turkish nation. Overall, the song reflects the complex cultural and historical identity of Istanbul, acknowledging the city's Roman, Greek, and Ottoman roots, as well as its status as a modern Turkish city.


Line by Line Meaning

Istanbul was Constantinople
The city that used to be called Constantinople is now known as Istanbul.


Now it's Istanbul, not Constantinople
The name Constantinople no longer refers to the city that once was; now it's called Istanbul.


Been a long time gone, Constantinople
It's been a long time since Constantinople used to exist.


Now it's Turkish delight on a moonlit night
Istanbul, the city formerly known as Constantinople, is currently a beautiful place at nightfall.


Every gal in Constantinople
Every woman who lived in Constantinople at one point.


Lives in Istanbul, not Constantinople
These women now live in Istanbul, which is the present name for the city once known as Constantinople.


So if you've a date in Constantinople
If you have plans to meet someone in Constantinople.


She'll be waiting in Istanbul
They won't actually be meeting in Constantinople, but rather in Istanbul (which is the current name of the city).


Why they changed it, I can't say
There's no clear, definitive answer as to why they changed the name of New Amsterdam to New York or why they changed Constantinople to Istanbul.


Even old New York was once New Amsterdam
New York City used to be called New Amsterdam.


So, take me back to Constantinople
The singer is saying that they'd like to revisit the city once known as Constantinople.


No, you can't go back to Constantinople
Unfortunately, it's not possible to return to this city.


Why did Constantinople get the works?
Why Constantinople was treated so poorly is unclear.


That's nobody's business but the Turks
The singer is suggesting that it's not anyone else's concern why Constantinople was mistreated; it's solely the Turks' business.


Istanbul
The current name for the city that used to be called Constantinople.




Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: PAUL WEBSTER

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Most interesting comment from YouTube:

iBRAHiM TABAKOĞLU

.."Istanbul was Constantinople
Now it' s Istanbul, not Constantinople
Been a long time gone, Constantinople
Now it' s Turkish delight on a moonlit night

Every girl in Constantinople
Lives in Istanbul, not Constantinople
So if you' ve a date in Constantinople
She' ll be waiting in Istanbul

Even old New York was once New Amsterdam
Why they changed it I can' t say
People just liked it better that way

So take me back to Constantinople
No, you can' t go back to Constantinople
Been a long time gone, Constantinople
Why did Constantinople get the works?
That's nobody' s business but the Turks

Istanbul (Istanbul)
Istanbul (Istanbul)

Even old New York was once New Amsterdam
Why they changed it I can' t say
People just liked it better that way

Istanbul was Constantinople
Now it' s Istanbul, not Constantinople
Been a long time gone, Constantinople
Why did Constantinople get the works?
That's nobody' s business but the Turks

So take me back to Constantinople
No, you can' t go back to Constantinople
Been a long time gone, Constantinople
Why did Constantinople get the works?
That' s nobody' s business but the Turks"..



All comments from YouTube:

monoceros1222

Bing Crosby's voice was truly amazing!!

butternutsquashpie

Geez this is simply amazing. I've had it in my head for the LONGEST time and now Bing's version is out. It's gonna be a long time befor ei get this outta my head now :D

Tim Smith

I didnt know this existed. Brill. Her voice is like velvet. That said i also love the dance version for different reasons. ;-)

Stephen Einbinder

This recording is in the key of D minor but the sheet music in the still video is in G minor.

iBRAHiM TABAKOĞLU

.."Istanbul was Constantinople
Now it' s Istanbul, not Constantinople
Been a long time gone, Constantinople
Now it' s Turkish delight on a moonlit night

Every girl in Constantinople
Lives in Istanbul, not Constantinople
So if you' ve a date in Constantinople
She' ll be waiting in Istanbul

Even old New York was once New Amsterdam
Why they changed it I can' t say
People just liked it better that way

So take me back to Constantinople
No, you can' t go back to Constantinople
Been a long time gone, Constantinople
Why did Constantinople get the works?
That's nobody' s business but the Turks

Istanbul (Istanbul)
Istanbul (Istanbul)

Even old New York was once New Amsterdam
Why they changed it I can' t say
People just liked it better that way

Istanbul was Constantinople
Now it' s Istanbul, not Constantinople
Been a long time gone, Constantinople
Why did Constantinople get the works?
That's nobody' s business but the Turks

So take me back to Constantinople
No, you can' t go back to Constantinople
Been a long time gone, Constantinople
Why did Constantinople get the works?
That' s nobody' s business but the Turks"..

butternutsquashpie

Still in my head :)

Squirrelman YT

People: You do realize that Copyright Laws were not as tight back then as they are now? It was an environment where people played off each other's beats and swing lines. Jazz influenced so much of the music of that era that to say someone copied someone is tantamount to The Muppets copying Fraggle Rock...

Jonathan Rochkind

Nobody else is going to comment on the wild klezmer break-down coming out of nowhere at around 1:00?

butternutsquashpie

wow. it's been a year already :)

Isobel McLean

Still with us?

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