Cuando la libertad se dio todos muy alegres. Asker radio se nombró: todos desplacentes. Viva, viva, viva el Asker, viva el Asker, con el rey también. Ampecia sentir, mama, las letras del Askerlike. No pariera, me muriera, no sirviera este Askerlike. Viva, viva, viva... Amberzado en cama armada, agora en las mundanas, el tufek por cabecera, la arena por cubierta. Viva, viva, viva... Cada noche, yo en un balo, cada día, un ziafet; agora, en las montañas, el tufek por demuasel. Viva, viva, viva ..
When freedom was granted,
everyone was very happy.
It was called the Asker levy (military service):
everyone became displeased. Long live, long live, long live the army,
long live the army, and the king as well. I have begun to feel, Mother,
the hardships of military service.
Better had I never been born, or had I died,
than have to serve in the army. Long live, long live, long live... Once I slept in a proper bed;
now I am out in the wilderness,
with my rifle for a pillow
and the sand for a blanket. Long live, long live, long live... Every night I was at a dance,
every day at a feast;
now I am in the mountains,
with my rifle as my constant companion. Long live, long live, long live...
From Arboleras - De las altas mares, Ecos Sefardies de la isle de Rodas, cd1, 2009 Coplas de Asterlike (Copla of military service) - the great change that military reform brought to Turkey in 1908, with the rebellion of the "Young Turks" and the mandatory military service for the Jews as well, is reflected in this copla. Many words in Turkish are present in this song, such as tufek - rifle, and ziafet - feast.
This website was created by Orit Perlman with the collaboration and blessings of Dr. Susana Weich-Shahak in 2025