History

I got curious and searched some pages about the origin of the song. I came across a curious story told by several Turkish sources, and also published in some newspaper articles.

The story is thus: during the Crimean War (1853-1856) involving the Ottomans, British, French and allies versus Russia, a Scottish regiment was deployed in one of the barracks in Istanbul (Selimiye Kislasi). The locals bemuzed by the Scotts' short kilts, nicknamed them the "troops without pants" (Donsuz Askerler). At that time, an Ottoman composer took the tune of one of the Scottish marches and adapted it into the song "Üsküdar'a gider iken". The original intention of the song may have been to poke some fun at the recent dress-code reformations in the Ottoman Empire. (Thus, the reference to the "secretary" (katip) i.e. government official, in the song, and perhaps the use of the "troops without pants" melody.)

The song nevertheless, became a big hit. And subsequently found its way across the contemporary and former lands of the Ottoman Empire. The melody also featured in watches imported from Scotland, and which were known as the "Katibim türkülü saat".

This song certainly has an interesting story. This calls for a second episode of the documentary...

(Reference: http://www.zaman.com.tr/yazar.do?yazino=346879)