PHOTO CREDIT: Above photo by John Rickman Photography, San Jose, California.

This page contains a translation into English of the lyrics to the Turkish song "Muhabbet Bağına Girdim Bu Gece", which was popularized by Safiye Ayla. Also included is a transliteration of the Turkish lyrics into the Roman alphabet so you can sing along if you like.

• Muhabbet Bağına Girdim Bu Gece (I Entered the Vineyard of Love Tonight), 1940's
• Alternate Song Title: Ararım Sorarım
• Lyricist: Sadettin Kaynak
• Composer: Yesari Asım Arsoy
• Original Artist: Safiye Ayla

About this Song

This Turkish song in the style of Ottoman classical music became popular in the 1940's. It was composed by Yesari Asım Arsoy with Turkish lyrics by Sadettin Kaynak. Sometimes the song title in Turkish is listed as "Ararım Sorarım", which is what the lyrics in the chorus say.

In the 1950's, a version with Arabic lyrics arose that used only a small portion of the original melody, the chorus. It became much beloved under the song title "Ah Ya Zein". A version with Greek lyrics followed in 1960.

However, some say "Ah Ya Zein" is an old traditional Egyptian song that the Turkish composer borrowed when writing "Muhabbet".

Artists who have performed this song:

• Safiye Ayla, 1940's in Turkish ("Muhabbet Bağına Girdim Bu Gece")
• Mohamed Qandeel, 1954, in Arabic ("Ah Ya Zein") in the movie Raqsat al-Wadah, for a dance scene featuring Samia Gamal
• Mohammed el-Bakkar, 1957, in Arabic ("Ah Ya Zein")
• Sabah, 1958, in Arabic ("Ah Ya Zein")
• Stratos Dionisiou, 1960, in Greek ("Ayazin")
• Semiramis Pekkan, 1971, in Turkish ("Ararım Sorarım")
• Omar Khorshid, 1974, in Arabic ("Ah Ya Zein")
• Kevser Keti Selimova, 1983, in Turkish ("Ararm")
• Şevval Sam, 2006, in Turkish ("Muhabbet Bağına Girdim Bu Gece")

Song lyrics are provided for educational purposes. If you like the song, please purchase either the album or a download from an authorized source.

About Safiye Ayla

Safiye Ayla was renowned as a performer of Turkish classical music. She was born in 1917 in Istanbul, and experienced a tragic early life. Her father died before she was born, and her mother died when she was only 3 years old. She was sent to an orphanage in the suburb of Bebek. She was adopted by Şeyh Servet Efendi. Safiya started playing piano at a young age.

Safiya enrolled in Bursa Teacher Training School at age 9; however, she dropped out at age 13 due to illness. During this period, she pursued her education in music. In 1930, she recorded her first songs, both composed by her music teacher Yesari Asım Bey. She left the teaching profession and started to perform in casinos. Over time, she rose to headliner status. She went on to perform numerous concerts in Turkey, both live and on the radio, and her recordings broke sales records.