National Anthem of the Soviet Union

Гимн Советского Союза

Gimn Sovetskogo Soyuza
English: The National Anthem of the Soviet Union
Anthem of	Russian SFSR  Soviet Union
Lyrics	Sergey Mikhalkov
Music	Alexander Alexandrov
Adopted	1944
Until	1991

The National Anthem of the Soviet Union (or Hymn, Russian: Гимн Советского Союза, Gimn Sovetskogo Soyuza) replaced The Internationale as the national anthem on March 15, 1944. The lyrics were written by Sergey Mikhalkov (born 1913) in collaboration with G. El-Registan (1899-1945) and the music was composed by Alexander Alexandrov (1883-1946). It was believed that Soviet soldiers would respond more to an anthem that was dedicated only to the Soviet Union rather than to a worldwide movement. The song was originally written as the Anthem of the Bolshevik Party with lyrics in the Alexandrine meter by Vasily Lebedev-Kumach in 1939.

Stalin was originally mentioned in the lyrics; however, after his death in 1953 and the process of Destalinization, the lyrics referring to Stalin were unacceptable. From that time until 1977, the anthem was played without lyrics. Revised lyrics without the references to Stalin and World War II were approved in 1977.

After the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991, Russia adopted a new national anthem. In 2000, the old Soviet national anthem was re-adopted, with Mikhalkov writing new lyrics to represent Russia's new non-communist nature. See National Anthem of Russia.

Also, the same music was used for a proposal of the anthem of the State Union of Russia and Belarus entitled Derzhavny Soyuz Narodov (Union of Sovereign Nations). Although never officially adopted, the lyrics of that piece were not tied to any specific nationality, and could be adopted for a broader union. However, there appears to be no plans to utilize that piece in any official role.

Below are the Russian and the English versions of the lyrics; both can be sung to the music. The anthem also had official versions in the languages of every Soviet republic and in several other Soviet languages.

Contents 1 1977 version 1.1 Lyrics 1.2 IPA transcription 1.3 Literal translation 2 1944 version 2.1 Official lyrics of 1944 version 2.2 Other English versions 3 Anthem of the Bolshevik Party 3.1 Official version 4 National anthems of Russia and the Soviet Union 5 Media 6 See also 7 In Popular Culture 8 References 9 External links

1977 version

Lyrics

Russian	Transliteration	English version endorsed by the CPSU:
1. Союз нерушимый республик свободных Сплотила навеки Великая Русь! Да здравствует созданный волей народов Единый, могучий Советский Союз! ПРИПЕВ: Славься, Отечество наше свободное, Дружбы народов надёжный оплот! Партия Ленина — сила народная Нас к торжеству коммунизма ведёт! 2. Сквозь грозы сияло нам солнце свободы, И Ленин великий нам путь озарил: На правое дело он поднял народы, На труд и на подвиги нас вдохновил! ПРИПЕВ 3. В победе бессмертных идей коммунизма Мы видим грядущее нашей страны, И Красному знамени славной Отчизны Мы будем всегда беззаветно верны! ПРИПЕВ	1. Soyuz nerushimy respublik svobodnykh Splotila naveki velikaya Rus'! Da zdravstvuyet sozdanny voley narodov Yediny, moguchy Sovetsky Soyuz! PRIPEV: Slavsya, Otechestvo nashe svobodnoye, Druzhby narodov nadyozhny oplot! Partiya Lenina — sila narodnaya Nas k torzhestvu kommunizma vedyot! 2. Skvoz' grozy siyalo nam solntse svobody, I Lenin veliky nam put' ozaril, Na pravoye delo on podnyal narody, Na trud i na podvigi nas vdokhnovil! PRIPEV 3. V pobede bessmertnykh idey kommunizma My vidim gryadushcheye nashey strany, I krasnomu znameni slavnoy otchizny My budem vsegda bezzavetno verny! PRIPEV	1. Unbreakable union of freeborn republics Great Russia has welded forever to stand! Created in struggle by will of the people United and mighty, our Soviet land! CHORUS: Sing to the Motherland, home of the free, Bulwark of people, in brotherhood strong! Oh! Party of Lenin! The strength of the people. To Communism's triumph lead us on! 2. Through tempests the sunrays of freedom have cheered us Along the new path where great Lenin did lead! To a righteous cause he raised up the people Inspired them to labor and valorous deed! CHORUS 3. In the victory of Communism's deathless ideal, We see the future of our dear land And to her fluttering scarlet banner, selflessly true, we always shall stand! CHORUS

IPA transcription

1.

[sɐˈjus nʲɪ.ruˈʂɨ.mɨj rʲɪsˈpub.lʲɪk svɐˈbod.nɨx|

splɐˈtʲi.lə nɐˈvʲe.kʲɪ vʲɪˈlʲi.kə.jɪ ˈrusʲ

də‿ˈzdra.stvu.jɪt ˈsoz.də.nɨj ˈvo.lʲɪj nɐˈro.dəf|

ɪˈdʲi.nɨj | mɐˈgu.ʨɪj | sɐˈvʲɛʦ.kʲɪj sɐˈjus]

CHORUS:

[ˈslafʲ.sʲə ɐˈtʲe.ʨɪs.tvə ˈna.ʂɨ svɐˈbod.nə.jɪ

ˈdruʐ.bɨ nɐˈro.dəf nɐˈdʲoʐ.nɨj ɐˈplot

ˈpar.tʲɪ.jə ˈlʲe.nʲɪ.nə sʲi.lə nɐˈrod.nə.jə

nɐs k‿tər.ʐɨstˈvu kə.muˈnʲiz.mə vʲɪˈdʲot‖]

2.

[skvəzʲ‿ˈgro.zɨ sɪˈja.lɐ nam ˈson.ʦɪ svɐˈbo.dɨ|

i‿ˈlʲe.nʲɪn vʲɪˈlʲi.kʲɪj nɐm‿ˈputʲ ə.zɐˈrʲil|

nɐ‿ˈpra.və.jɪ ˈdʲɛ.lə on ˈpod.nʲɪl naˈro.dɨ|

nɐ‿ˈtrud i‿nɐ‿ˈpod.vʲɪ.gʲɪ ˈnas vdəx.nɐ.vʲɪl]

CHORUS

3.

[f‿pɐˈbʲe.dʲɪ bʲɪˈsmʲɛrt.nɨx ɪˈdʲej kə.muˈnʲiz.mə

mɨ‿ˈvʲi.dʲɪm grʲɪˈdbbcvu.ɕːiə ˈna.ʂɨj stra.nɨ

i ˈkras.nə.mu ˈzna.mʲɪ.nʲɪ ˈslav.nəj ɐˈʨiz.nɨ

mɨ ˈbu.dʲɪm fsʲɪgˈda bɪ.zːɐˈvʲɛt.nə vʲɪrˈnɨ]

CHORUS

Literal translation

1.

Unbreakable union of free republics,

Great Rus' has joined forever!

Long live the created by the will of peoples

United and mighty Soviet Union

CHORUS:

To Glory, our free Fatherland

The stronghold of the friendship of peoples

Party of Lenin is the power of the people

It leads us to the triumph of Communism

2.

Through storms the sun of freedom shone to us

And the great Lenin lighted us the way

He raised peoples to the right cause

He inspired us for labour and for acts of heroism

CHORUS

3.

In the victory of the immortal ideas of Communism

We see the future of our country,

And to the Red banner of our glorious Fatherland

We shall always be selflessly loyal

CHORUS

1944 version

The 1944 text had three different refrains following three different stanzas; in each refrain, the second line was consequently modified with references to friendship, then happiness and finally the glory. In 1977, these refrains were replaced by a uniform refrain following all stanzas.

Official lyrics of 1944 version

Russian	Transliteration	English translation
Союз нерушимый республик свободных Сплотила навеки Великая Русь. Да здравствует созданный волей народов Единый, могучий Советский Союз! ПРИПЕВ: Славься, Отечество наше свободное, Дружбы народов надёжный оплот! Знамя советское, знамя народное Пусть от победы к победе ведёт! Сквозь грозы сияло нам солнце свободы, И Ленин великий нам путь озарил: Нас вырастил Сталин — на верность народу, На труд и на подвиги нас вдохновил! ПРИПЕВ: Славься, Отечество наше свободное, Счастья народов надёжный оплот! Знамя советское, знамя народное Пусть от победы к победе ведёт! Мы армию нашу растили в сраженьях. Захватчиков подлых с дороги сметём! Мы в битвах решаем судьбу поколений, Мы к славе Отчизну свою поведём! ПРИПЕВ: Славься, Отечество наше свободное, Славы народов надёжный оплот! Знамя советское, знамя народное Пусть от победы к победе ведёт!	Soyuz nerushimy respublik svobodnykh Splotila naveki velikaya Rus'! Da zdravstvuyet sozdanny voley narodov Yediny, moguchy Sovetsky Soyuz! CHORUS: Slavsya, Otechestvo nashe svobodnoye, Druzhby narodov nadyozhny oplot, Znamya sovetskoye, znamya narodnoye Pust' ot pobedy k pobede vedyot! Skvoz' grozy siyalo nam solntse svobody, I Lenin veliky nam put' ozaril, Nas vyrastil Stalin — na vernost' narodu, Na trud i na podvigi nas vdokhnovil! CHORUS: Slavsya, Otechestvo nashe svobodnoye, Schast'ya narodov nadyozhny oplot, Znamya sovetskoye, znamya narodnoye Pust' ot pobedy k pobede vedyot! My armiyu nashu rastili v srazhen'yakh, Zakhvatchikov podlykh s dorogi smetyom! My v bitvakh reshayem sud'bu pokoleniy, My k slave Otchiznu svoyu povedyom! CHORUS: Slavsya Otechestvo nashe svobodnoye, Slavy narodov nadyozhny oplot, Znamya sovetskoye, znamya narodnoye Pust' ot pobedy k pobede vedyot!	The unbreakable union of free republics Great Russia has welded forever; Created by will of the peoples, long live The united, mighty Soviet Union! CHORUS: Be renowned, our free Fatherland, Reliable bulwark of the friendship of peoples! Soviet flag, people's flag Let it lead from victory to victory! Through tempests shined on us the sun of freedom, And the great Lenin lit us the way. Stalin brought us up — on loyalty to the people, He inspired us to labor and to heroism! CHORUS: Be renowned, our free Fatherland, Reliable bulwark of the happiness of peoples! Soviet flag, people's flag Let it lead from victory to victory! We developed our army in battles, We will sweep the vile aggressors from the way! In battles we settle the fate of generations, We will lead our Fatherland to glory! CHORUS: Be renowned, our free Fatherland, Reliable bulwark of the glory of peoples! Soviet flag, people's flag Let it lead from victory to victory!

Other English versions

Translated by Paul Robeson:

(flag/light relates to slightly different versions)

United forever in friendship and labour,

Our mighty republics will ever endure.

The great Soviet Union will live through the ages.

The dream of a people their fortress secure.

CHORUS:

Long live our Soviet Motherland, built by the people's mighty hand.

Long live our People, united and free.

Strong in our friendship tried by fire. Long may our crimson flag inspire,

Shining in glory for all men to see.

Through days dark and stormy where Great Lenin led us

Our eyes saw the bright sun of freedom above

and Stalin our Leader with faith in the People,

Inspired us to build up the land that we love.

CHORUS:

Long live our Soviet Motherland, built by the people's mighty hand.

Long live our People, united and free.

Strong in our friendship tried by fire. Long may our crimson flag inspire,

Shining in glory for all men to see.

We fought for the future, destroyed the invader,

and brought to our homeland the Laurels of Fame.

Our glory will live in the memory of nations

and all generations will honour her name.

CHORUS:

Long live our Soviet Motherland, built by the people's mighty hand.

Long live our People, united and free.

Strong in our friendship tried by fire. Long may our crimson flag inspire,

Shining in glory for all men to see.

Another version:

Unbreakable Union of freeborn Republics

Great Russia has wielded forever to stand!

Created in struggle by will of the Peoples,

United and Mighty our Soviet Land!

CHORUS

Sing to our Motherland, Free and Undying,

Bulwark of Peoples in Brotherhood Strong!

Flag of the Soviets, Flag of the people,

From Victory to Victory lead us on!

Through tempests the shadows of freedom have cheered us,

Along the new path where great Lenin did lead,

Be true to the people, thus Stalin has reared us,

Inspired us to labor and Valorus Deed.

CHORUS

Sing to our Motherland, Free and Undying,

Bulwark of Peoples in Happiness Strong!

Flag of the Soviets, Flag of the people,

From Victory to Victory lead us on!

Our army grew up in the heat of grim battle,

Barbarian invaders we'll swiftly strike down.

In combat the fate of the future we'll settle,

Our country we'll lead to eternal renown!

CHORUS

Sing to our Motherland, Free and Undying,

Bulwark of Peoples in Bravery Strong!

Flag of the Soviets, Flag of the people,

From Victory to Victory lead us on!

Note: These versions of the Anthem are a poetic interpretation of the Russian lyrics rather than a word-by-word translation.'

Anthem of the Bolshevik Party

Official version

Гимн партии большевиков

Russian	Transliteration	Literal English translation
Страны небывалой свободные дети, Сегодня мы гордую песню поём О партии самой могучей на свете, О самом большом человеке своём. ПРИПЕВ: Славой овеяна, волею спаяна, Крепни и здравствуй во веки веков Партия Ленина, партия Сталина Мудрая партия большевиков! Страну Октября создала на земле ты Могучую Родину вольных людей. Стоит как утёс государство Советов, Рождённое силой и правдой твоей. ПРИПЕВ Изменников подлых гнилую породу Ты грозно сметаешь с пути своего. Ты гордость народа, ты мудрость народа, Ты сердце народа и совесть его. ПРИПЕВ И Маркса и Энгельса пламенный гений Предвидел коммуны грядущий восход. Дорогу к свободе наметил нам Ленин И Сталин великий по ней нас ведёт. ПРИПЕВ	Strany nebyvaloy svobodniye deti, Segodnya my gorduyu pesnyu poyom O partii samoy moguchey na svete, O samom bol’shom cheloveke svoyom. CHORUS: Slavoy oveyana, voleyu spayana, Krepni i zdravstvuy vo veki vekov Partiya Lenina, partiya Stalina Mudraya partiya bol’shevikov! Stranu Oktyabrya sozdala na zemlye ty Moguchuyu Rodinu vol’nykh lyudey. Stoit kak utyos gosudarstvo Sovetov, Rozhdyonnoye siloy i pravdoy tvoyey. CHORUS Izmennikov podlykh gniluyu porodu Ty grozno smetayesh’ s puti svoyego. Ty gordost’ naroda, ty mudrost’ naroda, Ty serdtse naroda i sovest’ yego. CHORUS I Marksa i Engel’sa plamennyi geniy Predvidel kommuny gryadushchiy voskhod. Dorogu k svobode nametil nam Lenin I Stalin velikiy po ney nas vedyot. CHORUS	Free children of a state unprecedented, Today we sing our proud song About the most powerful party in the world, About our greatest man ever. CHORUS Surrounded with glory, soldered by [our] will, Grow stronger and live for eternity The party of Lenin, the party of Stalin Wise party of Bolsheviks! You have created a country of the October, The able Motherland of free people. Our Soviet state stands as rock Born by your power and truth. CHORUS Rotten breeds of lowly treachery You wipe from your way with a formidable hand You are the pride of the people, the wisdom of people, the heart of the people and their conscience. CHORUS The sparking genius of Marx and Engels Envisioned the future rise of the commune. Lenin has outlined us the road to the freedom And great Stalin is leading us through it. CHORUS

National anthems of Russia and the Soviet Union

• 1791-1833: unofficially Grom pobedy, razdavajsya! ("Let the thunder of victory sound!") and Molitva russkikh
• 1833-1917: God Save the Tsar
• 1917: Otrechemsya ot starogo mira, Russian version of La Marseillaise
• 1922-1943: Internationale, adopted as the first national anthem of the Soviet Union
• 1944-1992: National Anthem of the Soviet Union, the "Hymn"; in 1977 there were changes to the lyrics in order to remove the mention of Joseph Stalin and World War II.
• 1991-2000: Prior to Russian independence the Patriotic Song (Patrioticheskaya Pesnya) became the national anthem of Russia. It has no lyrics; in 1999 there was a contest to add lyrics to the anthem, but the new text did not become official, since the new president Vladimir Putin changed the anthem again (on popular demand).
• 2001-: National Anthem of Russia is in fact the old anthem of the Soviet Union, but the text was again rewritten by Sergei Mikhalkov (who also wrote the lyrics for the Soviet hymn).

See also: National Anthems of the USSR and Union Republics

Media

See also

• Anthem
• The Patriotic Song
• National Anthem of Russia
• Russia
• Soviet Union

In Popular Culture

• Glenn Beck on his weekday radio show, developed a political parody based on the Soviet National Anthem that is supposed to be Barack Obama's national anthem.^[1]

References

External links

• Russian Anthems museum - extensive set of downloadable recordings
• 20 Most popular Soviet songs
• The author of Russian national anthem: sources of the USSR's anthem in Russian. by K.Kovalev - Eng. Bortniansky's anthem "Kol slaven" - Eng.

Anthems of the USSR and Union Republics The Internationale (1922–1944) · National Anthem of the Soviet Union (1944–1991) Armenian SSR · Azerbaijan SSR · Byelorussian SSR · Estonian SSR · Georgian SSR · Kazakh SSR · Kirghiz SSR · Latvian SSR · Lithuanian SSR · Moldavian SSR · Tajik SSR · Turkmen SSR · Ukrainian SSR · Uzbek SSR Short-lived: Karelo-Finnish SSR (1940–1956)

National anthems of Russia The Prayer of Russians (1816–1833) · God Save The Tsar! (1833–1917) · Worker's Marseillaise (1917–1918) · The Internationale (1918–1944) · Hymn of the Soviet Union (1944–1990) · The Patriotic Song (1990–2000) · Hymn of the Russian Federation (since 2000)