State Anthem of the Soviet Union
The State Anthem of the Soviet Union was the national anthem of the Soviet Union from 1944 until 1991. It replaced the old one, which was a Russian translation of The Internationale.
The music was created around 1938 by Alexander Alexandrov, a great Russian composer who earlier started the Alexandrov Ensemble. The original lyrics were by Sergey Mikhalkov and Gabriel El-Registan and first written in 1943. They mentioned Joseph Stalin by his name as well as the Great Patriotic War. When Stalin died in 1953, the lyrics were no longer appropriate and so the music was performed without them. For the 60th anniversary of the October Revolution in 1977, the lyrics were brought back, but changed so that they do not mention Stalin or the war.
This song was in use until the Soviet Union broke down in 1991. Until then, most of the republics of the Soviet Union also had their own anthem, but the Russian SSR did not until 1990. After Russia became independent, the Russian SSR anthem, which used a melody by Mikhail Glinka and had no official words, became the Russian national anthem. But in 2000, the newly elected President, Vladimir Putin, decided to bring back the melody of the Soviet anthem. He had new words written to it by Sergey Mikhalkov, the same person who wrote the original Soviet anthem.
Below is the Russian and the English versions of the lyrics; both can be sung to the music. For the official versions in other languages of the Soviet Union, see other language versions.
1977 version[change | change source]
Official lyrics[change | change source]
| Russian | Transliteration |
|---|---|
|
|
IPA transcription[change | change source]
- [sʌ.ˈjus nʲɪ.ru.ˈʂɨ.mɨj rʲɪs.ˈpub.lʲɪk svʌ.ˈbod.nɨx|
- splʌ.ˈtʲi.lə nʌ.ˈvʲe.kʲɪ vʲɪ.ˈlʲi.kə.jɪ ˈrusʲ
- də‿ˈzdra.stvu.jɪt ˈsoz.də.nɨj ˈvo.lʲɪj nʌ.ˈro.dəf|
- ɪ.ˈdʲi.nɨj | mʌ.ˈgu.ʨɪj | sʌ.ˈvʲɛʦ.kʲɪj sʌ.ˈjus]
- [ˈslafʲ.sə ʌ.ˈtʲe.ʨɪs.tvə ˈna.ʂɨ svʌˈbod.nə.jɪ
- ˈdruʐ.bɨ nʌ.ˈro.dəf nʌ.ˈdʲoʐ.nɨj ʌ.ˈplot
- ˈpar.tʲɪ.jə ˈlʲe.nʲɪ.nə sʲi.lə nʌ.ˈrod.nə.jə
- nʌs k‿tər.ʐɨst.ˈvu kə.mu.ˈnʲiz.mə vʲɪˈdʲot‖]
- [skvəzʲ‿ˈgro.zɨ sɪ.ˈja.lʌ nam ˈson.ʦɪ svʌ.ˈbo.dɨ|
- i‿ˈlʲe.nʲɪn vʲɪ.ˈlʲi.kʲɪj nʌm‿ˈputʲ ə.zʌ.ˈrʲil|
- nʌ‿ˈpra.və.jɪ ˈdʲɛ.lə on ˈpod.nʲɪl na.ˈro.dɨ|
- nʌ‿ˈtrud i‿nʌ‿ˈpod.vʲɪ.gʲɪ ˈnas vdəx.nʌ.vʲɪl]
- [f‿pʌ.ˈbʲe.dʲɪ bʲɪˈsmʲɛrt.nɨx ɪ.ˈdʲej kə.mu.ˈnʲiz.mə
- mɨ‿ˈvʲi.dʲɪm grʲɪ.ˈdu.ɕːiə ˈna.ʂɨj stra.nɨ
- i ˈkras.nə.mu ˈzna.mʲɪ.nʲɪ ˈslav.nəj ʌˈʨiz.nɨ
- mɨ ˈbu.dʲɪm fsʲɪg.ˈda bɪ.zːʌ.ˈvʲɛt.nə vʲɪr.ˈnɨ]
English lyrics[change | change source]
The official version of lyrics endorsed by CPSU:
- 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!
- Sing to the Motherland, home of the free,
- Bulwark of peoples in brotherhood strong.
- O Party of Lenin, the strength of the people,
- To Communism's triumph lead us on!
- 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 peoples,
- Inspired them to labour and valourous deed.
- 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!
Literal translation[change | change source]
- The unbreakable union of free republics
- Has been joined forever by Great Russia
- Long live the united and strong Soviet Union
- Created by the will of peoples
- Glory to 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
- The Sun of freedom was shining through the storms
- 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
- We see the future of our country
- In the victory of the immortal ideas of Communism
- We shall always be selflessy loyal
- To the Red flag of our glorious Fatherland
1944 version[change | change source]
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[change | change source]
| Russian | Transliteration from Russian |
|---|---|
|
Союз нерушимый республик свободных
Сквозь грозы сияло нам солнце свободы,
Мы армию нашу растили в сраженьях.
|
Soyuz nerushimy respublik svobodnykh
Skvoz' grozy siyalo nam solntse svobody,
My armiyu nashu rastili v srazhen'yakh,
|
English lyrics of 1944 version[change | change source]
Translated by Paul Robeson:
- United forever in friendship and labor,
- Our mighty republics will ever endure.
- The great Soviet Union will live through the ages.
- The dream of the people their fortress secure.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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!
- 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.
- 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!
- 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.
1944 literal translation[change | change source]
- The unbreakable union of free republics
- Great Russia has welded forever;
- Created by will of the peoples, long live
- The united, mighty Soviet Union!
- 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!
- 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!
- Be renowned, our free Fatherland,
- Reliable bulwark of the glory of peoples!
- Soviet flag, people's flag
- Let it lead from victory to victory!
Anthem of the Bolshevik Party[change | change source]
Official version[change | change source]
Гимн партии большевиков
| Russian | Transliteration |
|---|---|
|
|
Literal translation of 1938 version[change | change source]
- Free children of a state unprecedented [until now],
- Today we sing our proud song
- About the most powerful party in the world,
- About our greatest man ever.
- 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 the state [starting] from the Kremlin,
- The able Motherland of free people.
- Our Soviet state stands as rock
- Born by your power and truth.
- Rotten breeds of lowly treachers
- You wipe from our way with a formidable hand
- You are the pride of the people, the wisdom of people,
- the heart of the people and their conscience.
- 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.
Media[change | change source]
The Soviet (U.S.S.R.) anthem[change | change source]
- Problems playing the files? See media help.
| Vocal (1944 lyrics) | |
| By the Red Army Ensemble | |
| Instrumental | |
| By the United States Navy Band | |
| Vocal (1977 lyrics) | |
| By the choir and orchestra of the Bolshoi Theater | |
| Instrumental (1977 version) | |
| By the Soviet Defense Ministry's orchestra | |
| [[:File:|Gimn partii bolshevikov (1939)]] | |
| [[File:|220px|noicon]] | |
| Vocal recording of "Hymn of the Bolshevik Party," by the Red Army Chorus, conducted by Alexander Alexandrov | |
The new (second) Russian anthem[change | change source]
It is a non-Communist variant of the 1944 Soviet anthem.
- Problems playing the files? See media help.
| Russian Anthem; Vocal | |
| 2001 recording by the Presidential Orchestra conducted by Pavel Ovsyannikov and Moscow Kremlin Choir directed by Gennady Dmitryak | |
| [[:File:|Russian Anthem; Instrumental]] | |
| [[File:|220px|noicon]] | |
| 2001 recording by the Presidential Orchestra conducted by Pavel Ovsyannikov | |
Some similar, but much older clasical music[change | change source]
| [[:File:|Bylina overture by Vasily Kalinnikov (ca.1892), fragment including the theme similar to the anthem]] | |
| [[File:|220px|noicon]] | |
| Fragment starting 05:26 into the recording made by the USSR Symphony Orchestra conducted by Evgeny Svetlanov | |
The old (first) Russian anthem.[change | change source]
It was not related to any of the above songs, except in the fact that it was a Russian anthem.
- Problems playing the files? See media help.
| The old Russian national anthem 'A patriotic song' | |
| MIDI version of the anthem, It was used between 1990 and 2001 | |
