Istanbul was Constantinople.

[trof]

Now it's Istanbul, not Constantinople.
Been a long time gone, Constantinople.
Now a Turkish delight,
On a moonlight night.

Evr'y gal in Constantinople
Lives in Istanbul, not Constantinople.
So if you've a date in Constantinople,
She'll be waiting in Istanbul.

Even old New York was once New Amsterdam.
Why they changed it, I can't say.
(People just liked it better that way?)

Take me back to Constantinople.
No, you can't go back to Constantinople.
Been a long time gone, Constantinople.

Why did Constantinople get the works?
That's nobody's business but the Turks'!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vsQrKZcYtqg

[sasquatch]

1. I actually know the answer but nobody cares

:(

[Critters2]

2. Do tell.

[sasquatch]

3. Ok

During the crusades the Byzantine empire (Christians) fell to the Ottoman Turks (Muslims) and the Turks wanted to completely assimulate the area so one of the many things they did was re-name Constantinople to Istanbul.

[trof]

4. Are you watching Barbarians II on Hist. Channel?

That's what brought this on.
But I've always liked the song too.

[sasquatch]

6. No I'm not, what tribe is on the current episode?

[trof]

8. Vikings and Saxons right now.

Sounds like a football game, doesn't it.

[sasquatch]

10. Well violent cultures make great names for sport teams

[trof]

11. Ah...we're getting to my tribe now. The Lombards.

My last name is a very slight variation in spelling.
(one letter)

[Critters2]

5. I basically knew this (my undergrad degree is in European Hist

and French). But I've never known what "Istanbul" means. Do you?

Thanks!

Critters
BA History and French
MDiv Pastoral Theology
(are you impressed?)

[sasquatch]

7. I thank it means "Muslim Town"???

:shrug:

[Critters2]

9. Hmmm....I guess that would make sense. (edit)

:)


But Wikipedia takes issue with you. Still, you're not too far off. Apparently, it means "in or to the city". Clever thing to call a city.

[CBHagman]

12. One of my stranger memories...

...is watching a German variety show in the 1980s on which someone (Was it Nana Mouskouri?) sang that song. :shrug: And I think Sha Na Na did a version of it on their show.

But I actually have the CD of Flood, which of course has the They Might Be Giants version.

[Archae]

13. Particle Man

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qnUXZlatV6Y

:D

[JustABozoOnThisBus]

14. Any songs about old Byzantium?

Another old town, before xtians renamed it ...

:hi: