Both Alis have collaborated on many occasions in the past, and now here is this new piece — so full of emotion. This is the translation to English of the words by Ali Eren in the description of the video:
“These beautiful verses, flowing from centuries ago by Karacaoğlan, are not just a folk song for us — they are also a journey of emotions. It was a great joy and honor to interpret this piece together with Ali Doğan Gönültaş. We are thrilled to share this türkü, where love, longing, and heartfelt yearning meet, with you.
This warmth and sincerity wouldn’t have emerged without the contributions of my dear friends Levent Güneş, Tarık Çalışkan, Burak Keleş, Hasan Baran Ataş, and Ali Bagdu, who each added their soul to every note of the arrangement I undertook.
Ali Bagdu’s aesthetic touch played a major role in the visual world of the music video. Thanks to him, the emotion of this türkü turned into a story that touches not only the ears but also the eyes and hearts.
We sincerely thank the Studio Luvi team, Burak Keleş, and Tarık Çalışkan, who made us feel at home during the recording process and worked with great care on every note. Their devoted efforts helped bring “Ala Gözlerini Sevdiğim Dilber” to you in this special form.
We hope you feel the same emotions we felt while listening. Folk songs are among the most beautiful bridges that bring people closer. If you’d like to walk this bridge with us, don’t forget to share your thoughts in the comments.”
Click to watch them:
“Ala Gözlerini Sevdiğim Dilber” is a deeply emotional and poetic Turkish folk song. The speaker addresses a beloved with “hazel eyes,” expressing sorrow and confusion over a lost or unreciprocated love. They ask why the beloved has turned away, wondering if they’ve made a mistake or failed in their devotion.
Karacaoğlan, the author of the lyrics, was a Turkish poet and minstrel (âşık) who lived during the 17th century. Although the exact details of his life remain uncertain, it is believed that he lived approximately between 1606 and 1689, and was born in southern Anatolia, possibly in the region of Çukurova (today’s Adana, Mersin, or Osmaniye provinces).
He spent much of his life traveling throughout Anatolia, especially in rural areas, and his poems reflect a nomadic lifestyle with a strong connection to nature, love, and everyday village life.
