The Plevne March

Plevne March is a military march composed from folk songs that emerged among the people, commemorating the resistance and heroism displayed by the Ottoman army under the command of Gazi Osman Pasha during the Siege of Plevna in the 1877–1878 Russo-Turkish War (also known as the 93 War). The march became one of the war’s most enduring symbols and generated widespread resonance across the Ottoman territories and around the world.

Historical Background

The Battles of Plevna took place on the western front of the 1877–1878 Russo-Turkish War between 8 July and 10 December 1877. Under the command of Gazi Osman Pasha, the Ottoman army held a defensive position for 145 days against numerically and materially superior Russian and Romanian forces. This resistance is regarded as one of the most distinguished chapters in Ottoman military history and served as a vital source of morale for the population.

Representative Image of the Battles of Plevna (Generated by Artificial Intelligence.)

Origins of the Plevna Folk Songs

During the Battles of Plevna, folk songs naturally arose among the soldiers and civilians, reflecting the events, heroism, and emotions of the conflict. These songs were transmitted orally from generation to generation and adopted by Turkish communities across diverse regions. In Mehmet Naci Önal’s work Plevna Folk Songs, a total of 51 Plevna folk songs sung in the Balkans, Crimea, Kirkuk, Kazakhstan and Türkiye have been collected.^【1】

Composition of the Plevne March

The most frequently repeated quatrains from the Plevna folk songs were first arranged into a military march by Miralay Mehmet Ali Bey (1825–1895), a bandmaster of the Mızıka-i Hümayun. This composition played a crucial role in spreading the songs across wide geographical areas. The lyrics of the march vary slightly across different sources, incorporating various quatrains.

Lyrics and Musical Structure

The Plevne March is based on syllabic meter and typically consists of lines of eight and eleven syllables. Its lyrics explore themes such as the Danube River, the resistance of Gazi Osman Pasha, love of homeland, and steadfastness against the enemy. Here is a well-known version of the march:

The Danube River says it will not flow

It says it will not wash away my surroundings

The glorious Osman Pasha

Will not leave Plevna

Can this be so, can this be so

Can a child strike his father

Those traitors of the nation

Will this world belong to you

I struck my sword against stone

The stone split from top to bottom

The glorious name of Osman Pasha

May he and his soldiers live for thousands of years.^【2】

Dissemination and Impact of the Plevne March

• In the Ottoman Territories: After the war, the Plevne March continued to be sung with great enthusiasm throughout Ottoman lands. It became a symbol of morale and national unity among the people.

• In World Press and Public Opinion: The resistance at Plevna and Gazi Osman Pasha received extensive coverage in the international press, and the march became known abroad as part of this global interest.

• Cultural Heritage: Today, the Plevne March remains part of the Turkish military music repertoire and continues to hold historical significance. Academic studies on the Plevna folk songs also contribute to the transmission of this cultural heritage to future generations.