TURKESTAN
Type
Song
Composer
Jack Stern
Lyricist
Bobby Jones
Publisher
Broadway Music Corp., New York
Cover Artist
E.E. Waton
Notes
One of the rare instances where the Ottomans are mentioned; usually, they are simply Turks. The “temple bells” are also an intrusive note, more often found in Indian/Hindu contexts.
Lyrics

Land of Turkestan

Where Ottoman makes love in Caravans.

There in romance land

By desert sands, I have left my heart and hand.

CHORUS:

Turkestan, my Oriental land,

Your temple bells are calling me,

Mystic nights, revealing wondrous sights,

Disclose a wealth of mystery.

What love tales concealed ‘neath orient veils,

Where magic eyes shine out when love-light gleams,

Land so fair, I’m longing to be there,

My Turkestan, you’re always in my dreams.

 

Land of stolen sweets,

Your quaint old streets, where mystic Tom Toms beat,

There in harems fair,

Love maidens rare,

Day and night, my dreams are there.

Locations/Objects
Caravan, Desert, Harem