Istanbul, Istanbul!
Istanbul, it's Constantinople
It's to Istanbul or Constantinople
That I went one day, to find that great love
We're always waiting for
Istanbul, it's no longer Europa
It's in Istanbul or Constantinople
That I found her one evening, wandering
Among the Istanbul crowd
The muezzin was singing from atop a minaret
And all along the Bosphorus
I was already dreaming golden dreams
In Istanbul, life was beautiful
It was in Istanbul, I remember,
That my heart was stolen
By the spells of Asia
I followed her into the crowd,
One evening, under the beautiful Istanbul sky
Istanbul, Istanbul, Istanbul, Istanbul!
Istanbul, it's Constantinople
It's in Istanbul or Constantinople
That I already pictured myself in the paradise of Allah,
Waiting there for us
Istanbul, it's no longer Europa
It's in Istanbul or Constantinople
That I was coming closer, making my way
Among the Istanbul crowd
I didn't know how to translate my feelings,
But laughing she told me:
"Just like you, I'm coming straight from Paris!"
Istanbul, it's Constantinople
It's in Istanbul or Constantinople
That we took the train taking us back to Paris - Away from the noise and the crowd, it's good to dream of Istanbul!
Istanbul or Constantinople
Happiness is there, so good, before our door
It's pretty useless to go looking for it
Some other place, like Istanbul or Timbuktu
Love is right there, so close to you
Istanbul, Istanbul!