Folk songs are one of the most important elements that reflect our culture. The folk songs that usually deal with topics such as love, longing and separation, especially some of them, have their own effective stories. The story of the folk songs written after an event affects people deeply. Behind many of the folk songs that emerged in Anatolia, there are stories that have been lived. One of these folksongs, the “song of high hills”, which we hear at the henna of every wedding, is the work of a sad story.
The Story of the Song of the High High Hills
In ancient times, a young and beautiful girl named Zeynep lived in a village. When Zeynep was 16 years old, she attended a wedding in the village, and the young person named Ali, who came to the wedding, saw Zeynep and liked it very much. After the wedding, Ali sent a seer to marry Zeynep and asked for the girl. Zeynep and Ali, whose wedding was held, settled in Ali’s village.
Ali’s village is located 3 days from Zeynep’s village. After Zeynep went to this village as a bride, she could not meet with her family for 7 years. Zeynep’s longing for the village and family began to affect her over time. Zeynep, who is very upset; He sits in a village on a high hill, overlooking his own village, and the sad words of this folk song are pouring out of his tongue. This song that she sang became a favorite of Zeynep over time.
Zeynep’s husband Ali, on the other hand, did not pay much attention to this longing. Moreover, over time, his love and interest towards Zeynep decreased, and he began to despise her. Zeynep, who was greatly affected by this situation, eventually fell ill and went to bed. Realizing that he had no other choice, Ali went to Zeynep’s village and brought his parents. Zeynep’s parents, who came to her, found her devastated in bed.
Zeynep, on the other hand, is still humming the song of the high hills in her mouth. Seeing Zeynep’s devastated state, her parents and people around her were very upset about this situation. Longing for her family, Zeynep was longing with her family, but it was too late for her. Zeynep, who has already passed the limit of recovery, passed away after meeting with her family. Later, Zeynep’s story and the song about the high hills that she sang began to circulate from one language to another. Today, in the henna night, which is the night the bride leaves her mother’s house, this song is sung while the henna is applied to the bride.
Lyrics to High High Hills
Let them not build houses on high, high hills.
They should not give girls to the extreme country.
Let them not despise one of their mothers.
Let it be known to the birds that fly, I miss my mother.
I miss both my mother and my father and my village.
If my father had a horse, even if he rode it.
Even if my mother had a sail.
Even if my brothers know my ways.
Let it be known to the birds that fly, I miss my mother.
I miss both my mother and my father and my village.
