Kara Toprak [English translation]

I embraced many, thinking they were friends

Black earth (is), my faithful beloved

I wandered in vain, got tired for nothing

Black Earth (is), my faithful beloved

I devoted myself to many beautiful ones

I neither saw faithfulness (in them) nor found any use

I took everything I wished for from the Earth

Black Earth (is), my faithful beloved

She gave me sheep, gave me lamb, gave milk

Gave food, gave bread, gave meat

When I didn't beat her up with pickaxe, she gave short

Black Earth (is), my faithful beloved

She sheltered me since Adam

She fed me all sorts of fruits

She carried me on her surface everyday

Black Earth (is), my faithful beloved

I ripped her belly with pickaxe

I tore her face with my hands and nails

Yet, she greeted me with rose of hers

Black Earth (is), my faithful beloved

She laughed at me as I tortured her

There's no lie in this, everyone saw it

I gave her a single seed, she gave me four orchards

Black Earth (is), my faithful beloved

If I look up in the air, I take air

if I look down to the Earth, I take prayer

Where would i stay if I leave the Earth

Black Earth (is), my faithful beloved

If you have a wish, ask it to the God

To collect it, go no farther away from the Earth

The Earth has been blessed with generousity by the God

Black Earth (is), my faithful beloved

If you seek truth, here's a clear point:

The God is close to man, and man to the God

God's secret treasure is within the Earth

Black Earth (is), my faithful beloved

The Earth covers all of our faults

It recovers me, salving my wounds

It is waiting for my arrival with arms open wide

Black Earth (is), my faithful beloved

Whoever is honored with this secret

She (or he) leaves an unfading legacy to this world

One day, she takes Veysel to her bosom

Black Earth (is), my faithful beloved

• Artist:Âşık Veysel