Anthem of the Estonian Soviet Socialist Republic
The State Anthem of the Estonian SSR (Estonian: Eesti Nõukogude Sotsialistliku Vabariigi hümn) was the anthem of the Estonian Soviet Socialist Republic, a republic of the Soviet Union. It was official from 1945 to 1990.
During the decades of the Soviet occupation of Estonia, the original Estonian anthem was strictly forbidden. Throughout the years of prohibition, Lydia Koidula's poem, Mu isamaa on minu arm, with a melody by Gustav Ernesaks served as means of expressing national feelings, and was regarded as an unofficial anthem of Estonia. With the restoration of Estonian independence in 1991 however, the national anthem from 1920 by Fredrik Pacius with lyrics by Johann Voldemar Jannsen has been restored.[1]
Background
The music of the Estonian Soviet Socialist Republic's anthem was composed by Gustav Ernesaks, and the lyrics were written by Johannes Semper. It and the Karelo-Finnish SSR anthem were the only ones not to mention the Russian people. On 21 July 1956, the third stanza of the lyrics was changed to remove mentions of Joseph Stalin. This is the version presented here.
Estonian lyrics
- Jää kestma, Kalevite kange rahvas,
- ja seisa kaljuna, me kodumaa!
- Ei vaibund kannatustes sinu vahvus,
- end läbi sajanditest murdsid sa
- ja tõusid õitsvaks sotsialismimaaks,
- et päikene su päevadesse paista saaks.
- Nüüd huuga, tehas, vili, nurmel vooga,
- sirp, lõika, alasile, haamer, löö!
- Nõukogu elu, tuksu võimsa hooga,
- too õnne rahvale, me tubli töö!
- Me Liidu rahvaste ja riike seas
- sa, Eesti, sammu esimeste kindlas reas!
- Sa kõrgel leninlikku lippu kannad
- ja julgelt kommunismi rada käid.
- Partei me sammudele suuna annab
- ja võidult võitudele viib ta meid.
- Ta kindlal juhtimisel kasva sa
- ja tugevaks ning kauniks saa, me kodumaa!
English translation
- Endure, heroic people of Kalevs
- And stand as a rock, our homeland!
- Your courage did not subside in the sufferings,
- You broke yourself through the centuries,
- And arose a socialist country in blossom,
- For sun could shine in your days.
- Ye roar, factories, and corn-fields, wave;
- Reap, sickle, and beat out, hammer!
- May life of the Soviets throb in mighty swing;
- May happiness be brought to people by good labor!
- Among our Soviet nations and states
- Estonia, march in the firm fore!
- You're bearing Lenin's banner high,
- You're boldly marching your Communist way.
- Our Party will lead our steps
- And take us from victory to victory.
- Grow in her firm leadership
- And become mighty and fair, our Homeland!
Russian lyrics
- Живи, сын Калева - народ наш славный,
- И стой, отчизна наша, как скала.
- Сквозь все страдания веков бесправных
- Отвагу ты и доблесть пронесла.
- И вот зажгла социализма свет,
- Воспрянула в цвету для счастья и побед.
- Могучим колосом цветите нивы!
- Жни, серп, и, молот, бей, гуди, завод!
- В стране советской каждый будь счастливым -
- Упорный труд нам счастье принесёт.
- В союзе братском пред тобой простор -
- Эстония, шагай в строю своих сестёр!
- Ты знамя Ленина несёшь святое,
- Дорогой славною идёшь вперёд.
- Родная партия всегда с тобою -
- Путём побед она тебя ведёт.
- Расти, отчизна, на пути большом,
- Прекрасней и сильней будь с каждым новым днём!
References
External links