This contrast between electronica and classical or folkloric arts cuts to the core of the Sufi philosophy that guides this one-of-a-kind artist. 'Those things are not really separate,' says Dede. 'The essence of Sufism is counterpoint. Everything exists with its opposite. On one side, I am doing electronic music. The other side of that is this really acoustic, traditional music.' Dede doesn't just bring in any traditional sounds and sights as adornment to his techno beats. He is ever on the lookout for new collaborators, and they might come from any tradition, any country, any generation. For Secret Tribe's U.S. debut in January, 2004, he flew in three, teenage prodigies of Turkish classical music from Istanbul and two of the pieces they played were improvised during the concert. 'When I choose a musician,' says Dede, 'I need to be connected with them in terms of personality, heart-wise we say in Turkey. We should have a similar energy and feeling about life. The second thing is they need to be done with the technical part of music. Once they've done that, you don't need to worry. They can play anything not from mind but from soul.'
Mercan Dede and Secret Tribe's splendid 2002 release Nar realizes this elegant marriage of old and new stunningly. Along with the groups' spellbinding performances, it is helping them build a worldwide following. When the group plays in Turkey, they can draw as many as 20,000 people. But for Dede'whose name comes from a minor character in a contemporary Turkish novel'it has been a long, highly unconventional road to success. Raised poor in a Turkish village in the 1970s, Dede recalls the moment when listening to the radio as a six-year-old, he fell in love with the sound of the ney. But even when he moved to Istanbul to study journalism, he could not afford an instrument, so he made his first one from a length of plastic plumbing pipe. Although he eventually found a ney teacher, Dede did not pursue music as a career. He was more deeply involved with photography, and by chance, an official at the Saskatoon Public Library in Canada saw some of his work and invited him to come and do an exhibition.
Dede wound up studying multimedia in Saskatoon, and he worked in a bar to earn rent money. That was where he first encountered the art of deejaying. One day the bar's deejay couldn't make it, and Dede stepped in. The techno revolution was just beginning, and Dede was getting in on the ground floor. By the mid-80s, he was traveling to do 'technotribalhouse' deejay gigs under the name Arkin Allen. He debuted as Mercan Dede in 1995 with he released his first album, Sufi Dreams, recorded for Golden Horn Records in San Francisco. The album was a minimalist techno ambiant project featuring the ney flute, and it earned impressive reviews. A few years later, Dede moved to Montreal where he first studied, then taught, at Concordia University, moving ever more forcefully into the burgeoning techno scene. Recordings he made under the name Mercan Dede got noticed in Istanbul, and a festival invited him to perform, expecting an older gentleman, as Dede means 'grandfather' in Turkish. When people saw a young band mixing techno and tradition, they were exhilarated, and Dede has stuck with this adapted name ever since.
Dede formed his first group in 1997 and created more recordings, Journeys of a Dervish (Golden Horn, 1999) Seyahatname (Doublemoon, 2001), and Nar (Doublemoon, 2002 ) From the start, the group was more an idea than a set lineup. 'I always get different musicians,' says Dede, 'all the time. When I do a European tour, each country, I choose a guest musician from that country. This is the essence of the group.' The Canadian TV station Bravo filmed and aired Dede's concert with Turkish master kemence (Persian violin) player Ihsan Ozgen at the Canadian Museum of Civilization in the Fall of 1998. German television producers Saarlandischer Rundfunk were so moved by Dede's music that they traveled to Canada to feature him in their documentary about Sufi Music. While filming Dede at work in Montreal and Toronto in February of 1998, the producers requested that Dede create the soundtrack for this project. Same year Mercan Dede's album Seyahatname includes pieces composed for a dance theatre project, directed and choreographed by Beyhan Murphy for the Turkish State Modern Dance Troupe.
Both as Mercan Dede and his alter ego DJ Arkin Allen, he has performed at events as diverse as the Black & Blue 98 (a world-renowned Montreal circuit party attended by 15,000 people) and a concert of improvisations with on classical Turkish music at the Canadian Museum of Civilization. In July 2001, Mercan Dede performed at the highly acclaimed Montreal Jazz Festivals, sharing the General Motors Big Event stage with Burhan Öçal and Jamaaladeen Tacuma, in a concert called 'East Meets the West' before an audience of more than 170,000 people. On that same evening, right after his concert, he appeared at Spectrum, this time performing with his project Montreal Tribal Trio, again as part of the festival program. In 2002, the group electrified the WOMEX world music trade fair in Essen, Germany, and also the International Transmusicales Festival in Rennes.
Dede has also performed with such musical personalities as Kani Karaca, I'hsan Özgen, Misirli Ahmet, Ilhan Ersahin, Peter Murphy, Natacha Atlas, Azam Ali Musafir, I'lhan Ers¸ahin, Jamaledeen Tacuma, Hugh Marsh, Omar Sosa, Mich Gerber, Fazil Say, Susheela Raman, Trans Global Underground, Dhafer Youssef, Coldcut, Dhol Foundation, Emma Shaplin, Ludavico Eunadi, Trilok Gurtu. Mercan Dede and Secret Tribe's summer tour 2003 included Montreux Jazz Festival (Switzerland), Arezzo Wave (I'taly), Skopje Festival (Macedonia), Moers Festival (Germany),World Roots Festival (The Netherlands), Jaen-Etnosur (Spain), Rhythm Sticks Festival (UK) and many others. The group's 2004 U.S. debut took place at Joe's Pub in New York in January, 2004, as part of the city's groundbreaking world music marathon at Global Fest. Mercan Dede was invited to play at GlobalFest' (APAP Conference) in New York in January 2004, where 16 different bands from 5 continents played. He performed and completed his USA tour with 3 young gypsy musicians from turkey in their early teens.
Mercan Dede's concert was reviewed by various press and music critics including Global Rhythm Magazine who made a cover story on him and his music calling his performance at Joes Pub; " one of the best world music performance of recent years" .
The following year, turkey & germany based Production Company "Medya' made a documentary film about his life and music which aired the same year and received great reviews.
Mercan Dede also provided music for Pina Bausch's recent work, "Istanbul, Nefes' performed in the city it was named for in the spring of 2003. He calls meeting Pina Bausch one of the most amazing moment in his career. He is commissioned by the Turkish Ministry of Culture as the music director of the Güldestan Project. The project is destined to represent Turkish Culture and Arts all around the Globe.
Over the next three years ( 2005,2006,2007) he travelled the world spanning over 1,5 million km and performed almost every corner of the world. He also released "Water" (2005) and Breath (2006) albums which both topped the BBC world music charts making him the first turkish artist whose albums received the #1 of the world music charts. Over the last 4 years he was also nominated in different categories of world music as the best world music artist of the year by BBC.
In 2007, as a dedication to Sufi master Rumi, he recorded and released his last album "800" as a celebration of his masters 800th birthday. Following it's release, he chose to follow a different path in his life leaving both his beloved record label Doublemoon and management Pozitif, allowing him to continue his journey on his own. Recently he is living quietly and preparing new projects in Montreal. Although he declined to show his recent paintings and visual art works, feeling he is not yet ready, he is however giving signals to including visual arts in his future projects.
Under 9 different names, he has released more than 100 singles world wide. Mercan Dede, Arkin Allen, Blueman and Poundmaker aside, he still keeps 5 other names secret even from his own management and family; believing that nothing should stand between sound and the ear, include the artist himself.
Mercan Dede is keen on bring his extraordinary music and stagecraft to the entire world feeling that its inclusive spirit carries a profound message of understanding and reconciliation. 'I don't like the separation,' says Dede. 'The Sufi poet Rumi has a very good saying: 'If you are everywhere, you are nowhere. If you are somewhere, you are everywhere.' My somewhere is my heart. I try to figure it out. The rest'the hype, the trends'they are not important. We are here for nothing else but Love, the rest is nothing but bunch of gossip" If music does not make us a better person even in a small way, who cares if you are the best musician in the world. I prefer to be someone who follows his heart no matter where it goes. Succes is not something to which I aspire but rather I accept as simply a wonderful gift of life from the Creator as a recogniton of my naive and simple belief that with music we can help ourselves and others in a most humble way.
Whether as Mercan Dede with his Secret Tribe or dj Arkin Allen with his tribal trio; he is one of the most unique artist uniting many people from different backgrounds regardless of their age, cultural background or personal differences never failing to impress his audiences with the explosive energy he creates on stage. He is rightly recognized as one of the most creative, unique yet modest artists in the world music scene today.
Hidden
Mercan Dede Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
One Buddha is enough
One...
One Buddha is not enough
One...
Buddha is enough
One...
One is Buddha
I am breathing now for an old Buddhist monk
Small as the first moon
Hidden in the stillness of the heron's breathless, emerald wing
And for the yoga that Christ taught
On his Tree of Love.
Though the sun may sit like a chariot on stilts of flame and cherry glass
Suffering into happiness
The way of empty hands
Chanting the secrets that make it bright.
And the wicked,
In that Palace of Ruins,
Curse the pureness
Its purse of one coin.
The small shadows of this day we are given
Bolted into the thrush of emptiness
And here on a Dantean hill,
Confusions may brew
When the Tea-singers begin their vows of silence.
In the raiment of this town
Not of the sun's rising
A tear of sadness for all the worldly joy
As moths return to their torched graves
And springs arrive early in every season
Telegraphed into their own heart of good fortune
Chanting, "One Buddha is not enough."
Buddha.
Springs arrive early in every season.
One Buddha is enough.
The song "Hidden" by Mercan Dede is an eclectic and profound amalgamation of different spiritual and philosophical traditions. The song starts with the repetition of the phrase "One Buddha is enough" which is followed by the contradicting statement "One Buddha is not enough." This phrase encapsulates the central idea of the song, which is the essence of non-duality, the idea that there is no separation between self and other or between any two things, as they are all interconnected and interdependent. The song navigates through different symbols and metaphors to convey this idea, including references to Buddhism, yoga, Christ, and Dante's Inferno.
The first verse of the song refers to an old Buddhist monk, who is described as small as the first moon and hidden in the stillness of the heron's breathless, emerald wing. This imagery evokes the idea of the small and hidden nature of enlightenment and the need to cultivate stillness and tranquility to attain it. The verse also alludes to the yoga that Christ taught on his Tree of Love, which is a reference to the idea that different spiritual traditions share fundamental truths.
The second verse of the song refers to the suffering that is inherent in life and how it can lead to happiness through the way of empty hands. The verse also references the Palace of Ruins, which is a metaphor for the impermanence of all things, including our own sense of self. The wicked in this palace curse purity, which is a reference to the idea that the pursuit of enlightenment inevitably brings opposition and resistance.
The third verse of the song talks about the transience of life and the inevitability of change. The tears of sadness for all the worldly joy express the ephemeral nature of material things and the need to cultivate detachment. The verse also references the idea of reincarnation, where moths return to their torched graves, and the arrival of spring, which symbolizes renewal and rebirth.
Line by Line Meaning
One Buddha is enough
Having a single enlightened being in this world is sufficient.
One Buddha is not enough
The presence of one enlightened being is not enough to enlighten all humanity.
Buddha is enough
A person can reach enlightenment by following Buddha's teachings.
One is Buddha
A person who follows the teachings of Buddha can become enlightened and attain peace.
I am breathing now for an old Buddhist monk
I am dedicating this breath to an individual who has devoted their life to following the Buddha's teachings.
Small as the first moon
An individual who follows the Buddha's teachings can be humble and small, like the first moon in the sky.
Hidden in the stillness of the heron's breathless, emerald wing
An individual who follows the Buddha's teachings can find stillness and calmness in the natural world.
And for the yoga that Christ taught
The practice of yoga, as taught by Christ, is also respected and valued.
On his Tree of Love.
The practice of yoga can help individuals connect with and embody love.
Though the sun may sit like a chariot on stilts of flame and cherry glass
Despite the immense brightness and beauty of the sun, there can also be pain and suffering in this world.
Suffering into happiness
By facing and overcoming suffering, one can find true happiness.
The way of empty hands
Releasing oneself from material possessions and attachments can help lead to enlightenment.
Chanting the secrets that make it bright.
Reciting spiritual truths and teachings can help bring about inner peace.
And the wicked,
Even those who are less virtuous or committed to spiritual practice,
In that Palace of Ruins,
While living in this world, filled with decay,
Curse the pureness
May be envious or spiteful towards those who are pure or committed to following spiritual paths.
Its purse of one coin.
May criticize the idea of maintaining purity and simplicity, represented by the image of possessing just one coin.
The small shadows of this day we are given
The temporary nature of life and the fleeting moments we have in this world.
Bolted into the thrush of emptiness
The feeling of emptiness or meaninglessness that can grip us at times.
And here on a Dantean hill,
In this dark and foreboding place, reminiscent of a scene from Dante's Inferno,
Confusions may brew
One may feel lost or confused in the face of the challenges of life.
When the Tea-singers begin their vows of silence.
During periods of quiet, such as when meditating or taking vows of silence, one may come to clarity and understanding.
In the raiment of this town
In the place where one is currently located,
Not of the sun's rising
Describing something that is not as pure or divine as the image of the sun rising in the morning.
A tear of sadness for all the worldly joy
Feeling sadness or pity for the pleasures and material pursuits that can distract us from our spiritual paths.
As moths return to their torched graves
Like moths who are drawn to the light and ultimately perish, humans can be drawn to the trappings of material wealth and suffer as a result.
And springs arrive early in every season
The arrival of the season of rebirth and renewal can happen at any time, not just in spring.
Telegraphed into their own heart of good fortune
Gaining a sense of peace and abundance by focusing on one's own state of mind and heart rather than external circumstances.
Chanting, "One Buddha is not enough."
Reciting a reminder that the world needs more than just one enlightened being to ultimately overcome suffering and find peace.
Buddha.
A simple expression of reverence for Buddha and his teachings.
Springs arrive early in every season.
The arrival of the season of rebirth and renewal can happen at any time, not just in spring.
Contributed by Sophie G. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Dilek Yalcin
I am breathing now for an old Buddhist monk
Small as the first moon
Hidden in the stillness of the heron's breathless, emerald wing
And for the yoga that Christ taught
On his Tree of Love.
Though the sun may sit like a chariot on stilts of flame and cherry glass
Suffering into happiness
The way of empty hands
Chanting the secrets that make it bright.
And the wicked,
In that Palace of Ruins,
Curse the pureness
Its purse of one coin.
The small shadows of this day we are given
Bolted into the thrush of emptiness
And here on a Dantean hill,
Confusions may brew
When the Tea-singers begin their vows of silence.
In the raiment of this town
Not of the sun's rising
A tear of sadness for all the worldly joy
As moths return to their torched graves
And springs arrive early in every season
Telegraphed into their own heart of good fortune
Chanting, "One Buddha is not enough."
Buddha.
Springs arrive early in every season.
One Buddha is enough.
Josip B.
I just found this masterpiece after 8 years of publishing. Woooow what a tune and melody. Amazing ❤🕉
Dilek Yalcin
I am breathing now for an old Buddhist monk
Small as the first moon
Hidden in the stillness of the heron's breathless, emerald wing
And for the yoga that Christ taught
On his Tree of Love.
Though the sun may sit like a chariot on stilts of flame and cherry glass
Suffering into happiness
The way of empty hands
Chanting the secrets that make it bright.
And the wicked,
In that Palace of Ruins,
Curse the pureness
Its purse of one coin.
The small shadows of this day we are given
Bolted into the thrush of emptiness
And here on a Dantean hill,
Confusions may brew
When the Tea-singers begin their vows of silence.
In the raiment of this town
Not of the sun's rising
A tear of sadness for all the worldly joy
As moths return to their torched graves
And springs arrive early in every season
Telegraphed into their own heart of good fortune
Chanting, "One Buddha is not enough."
Buddha.
Springs arrive early in every season.
One Buddha is enough.
10Ammar
Who’s words are these?
Güler Yıldız
Muhteşem ❤️
TenebrisVera
This track is the PEACEBOMB~!
NBJ BJ
Sensual ritmo es 🧨
Tufan Deveci
Buddha Bar XVI albümünde yer alması çok başarılı, cd2 track 4
paylaşım için teşekkürler.
Ferhad
Rahmetli Alican abiden gelenler
Sevda Aksu
Evet😔😔
Güler Yıldız
❣️💫