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

Every 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...

So, 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.

Istanbul, Istanbul.

Istanbul, Istanbul.

Even old New York
Was once New Amsterdam.
Why they changed it I can't say...
People just liked it better that way!

Istanbul was Constantinople,
Now it's Istanbul, not Constantinople,
Been a long time gone, Constantinople,
Why did Constantinople get the works?
That's nobody's business but the Turks.

So, 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.

Istanbul!