"Drama Köprüsü" is one of the folk songs that live in oral culture and has a wide recognition in the geography of Western Thrace and Eastern Macedonia. The song refers to the life of a historical or semi-mythological figure named Debreli Hasan. Especially around Drama (Greece), narratives shaped around this personality, who left a mark in local memory, have been passed down from generation to generation through the lyrics of the song.

Legend Attributed to Debreli Hasan

The stories told about Debreli Hasan, mentioned in the song, exist in different variants among the people. According to the narrative, Hasan kills his commander following a skirmish during his military service. It remains unknown whether the incident was accidental or intentional. To escape a possible death sentence, Hasan deserts and briefly returns home, but realizing he will be pursued, he retreats to the mountains. Hasan, who chose a life in the mountains, is emphasized in the folk narrative as a figure known for his justice, intervening against injustices, and being particularly careful not to harm civilians. In some variants, he is depicted as a "folk bandit" or "local protector."

In the stories, there is also a love story involving Hasan. Unable to unite with the woman he loves, Hasan chooses to distance himself from her due to the dangerous life he leads. Events like attending her wedding and presenting her with a gold bracelet add emotional layers to the song.

Physical Existence and Identification of Drama Köprüsü

The phrase "Drama Köprüsü" mentioned in the song could not be identified as a concrete structure for many years. Post-exchange, Turkish-origin immigrants visiting Drama sought this structure but did not find a bridge called by this name in the area. Through investigations with a photograph claimed to be taken in the 1920s, it was determined that a narrow aqueduct between the villages of Nikiforos (Nusratlı) and Karyafiton (Kozluköy) in Drama corresponded with the lyrics of the song. It was understood that this aqueduct, only 50 centimeters wide, was referred to as a "bridge" by locals and that its structural features matched the “narrow and impassable” descriptor in the song. Additionally, the cold waters flowing from the aqueduct were associated with the line “its waters are cold, Hasan, a bowl cannot be drunk.”

The existence of this structure was officially announced and documented by the president of the Drama Exchangees Association in 2010. The identified structure was used as an aqueduct during the Ottoman period.

^{Drama Bridge(Academia)}

The Migration Process and Transmission of the Song

During the population exchange realized pursuant to the Treaty of Lausanne, most of the Turkish population living in the Drama region was relocated to Turkey. This group was settled in areas suitable for tobacco cultivation (such as Edirne, Bafra, Samsun, Alaçam, Manisa, Gebze). During the migration, products of oral culture, particularly folk songs, were preserved and carried to new settlements. In this context, the Drama Köprüsü song serves as a cultural heritage carrier, being passed down through generations in Turkey.

Historical Uncertainties Regarding Debreli Hasan

The narratives about Debreli Hasan’s life have been shaped by various legends. Some sources indicate his life in the mountains spanned 20 to 30 years, while others suggest he emigrated to Turkey during the exchange period. There is no definitive information regarding his date of death, place, or grave. However, in folk narratives, Debreli Hasan is remembered as a local resistance figure who defended village inhabitants against Greek brigades. In this regard, it is seen that an individual figure has become a symbolic resistance element in the social memory.

Song Lyrics

Drama Köprüsü, Hasan, is narrow and impassable

It is narrow and impassable

Its waters are cold, Hasan, a bowl cannot be drunk

Its waters are cold, Hasan, a bowl cannot be drunk

One can leave one’s mother, but Hasan, leaving the beloved is hard

Leaving the beloved is hard

Fire your rifle, Hasan, let the mountains echo

Let the friends listen in Drama prison

Did you think, Hasan, those are sheep, those grave stones

Did you think they are sheep

Did you think killing a man is a game, Hasan

Did you think killing a man is a game, Hasan

Did you think, Hasan, Drama prison is your home

Did you think it is your home

Fire your rifle, Debreli Hasan, let the mountains echo

Let the friends listen in Drama prison

Drama Köprüsü Song (Bandits-Subject)

^{Drama Köprüsü Song(Haramiler-Konu)}