Istanbul (Not Constantinople)

Today's blog entry is dedicated to Higher Up and Further In, homeschoolers living and learning in Turkey, because today I put into to practice this tip about Charlotte Mason's principle of perfect execution during our handwriting lesson. Far from being drudgery, the children were delighted with their success, and Erin commented, "Mom, the lady who wrote that blog is right. We can do a lot more than you think!" We also caught up on last week's history lesson about the Ottoman Turks and the conquest of Constantinople, so just had to introduce my kiddos to Istanbul (Not Constantinople) by They Might Be Giants. I first heard this song performed live at Imo's Pizza in Springfield MO. I wanted to get up and belly dance. I still do. Maybe I will.

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