Why Was the First Version of the National Anthem Never Used?

The Independence Anthem is an important work that reflects our nation’s struggle for independence, especially the War of Independence. Before this anthem, there was a voice welcoming us. There is a poem “Unity”. Why couldn’t this poem, which was written long before the National Anthem, become an anthem?

While Turkey’s struggle for independence was continuing in 1921, the government felt the need for a national anthem. In this regard, as we know, a competition was organized for the anthem. While searching for a work that best reflects the feelings and determination of the Turkish nation, Mehmet Akif Ersoyprobably because he felt hesitant about not fully expressing the spirit of struggle even while writing the National Anthem, he did not consider this poem sufficient enough to be an anthem.

Mehmet Akif Ersoy wrote the poem “Unity” long before the National Anthem.

The unity and solidarity of the Turkish nationThis poem emphasizes the love of the homeland and devotion to national values; He wrote at a time when the country was going through a difficult period and the struggle for independence was being fought.

This poem addresses the Turkish nation, emphasizes the importance of being in solidarity, and revives the spirit of struggle; It almost reflects a “prototype” of the National Anthem.

Ersoy added these verses, which he wrote for the Battle of Gallipoli, to the words reminiscent of the National Anthem. “Don’t be afraidIt starts with ”.

“Don’t be afraid!

If hell were to come, we would extinguish it in our chests.
This is the path of God, we cannot turn back, we walk;
Did you think that a single stone would fall, your sacred honor?
It turns out that the last soldier to go to war is martyred.
If the apocalypse before us goes crazy,
If the seas rain down armies and the clouds rain down fleets,
From this place below us all the volcanoes
Even if it overflows and covers the horizon with red,
Isn’t it the same faith in the heart of our front?
The joy is the same, the pain is the same, the goal is the same, the conscience is the same;
Doesn’t he hit a nerve in the middle, indomitable?
Even if the world collapses, rest assured that this front will not be shaken!”

In this poem by Mehmet Akif Ersoy, he deals with the theme of unity. As he stated, this unity took place in Çanakkale. The common struggle of Circassians, Laz, Arabs, Kurds and Turks became the greatest symbol of unity and national struggle.

Mehmet Akif Ersoy’s “Berlin Memories” includes his experiences at the beginning of the Gallipoli War.

The poet describes the details and feelings of the battle in these memories while he was stationed in Berlin. He dedicated the poem “Unity” to Major Ömer Lütfi Bey, who was on duty with him. In every encounter with the enemy during his days in Çanakkale, he asks a question that reflects his inner turmoil: “Mr. Ömer, what will happen to Çanakkale?” Even though Ömer Lütfi Bey stated that there was no hope from a military point of view, only an extraordinary situation had to happen, Mehmet Akif always had full faith in the power arising from unity.

Çanakkale’s unique resistance and the epic written must have left deep traces in Mehmet Akif Ersoy’s soul. Even if it’s hell It tells about not being afraid in the face of danger, fighting and never turning back. Not long after these verses, the National Anthem, which he prepared for the competition and wrote with similar feelings, was born.

Addressing the theme of resistance and the spirit of struggle Mehmet Akif, who wanted to instill in the Turkish nation, He revealed this unique poem by revealing all his faith. This poem, which resembles the National Anthem when we look at the lines, evolved after some time and turned into our national anthem.

Actually that you opened the door for him, It is possible to say that he imitated this poem as a theme and wrote a poem with almost the same feelings. The verses of the poet, who believes that unity will bring superiority against all kinds of enemies, touch all of our hearts today.