The great majority of prison songs in the Turkish folk music repertoire are written by people who have landed in jail, or by those outside, writing the songs for those close to them who are in jail. These songs, speaking of freedom, give voice to the longing for the outside, love, mother and father [The fall of evening, being locked behind iron bars. ill fortune.-.these are their songs' main subjects. Mostly expressing feelings of bitterness, these songs lare a rich source of Turkish folk music material. This project, called "Mahpushane T?rk?leri" (Songs of Prison), brings thej Iprison songs in the body of Turkish folk music together in one recording These songs, most of which are being recorded for the first time, constitute part of a series, to include "Asker T?rk?leri" (Soldier Songs), and albums on other subjects.
