State Anthem of the Soviet Union

Государственный гимн СССР^{[lower-alpha 1]}
English: State Anthem of the Soviet Union
	Gosudarstvenny gimn SSSR
	Musical sheet of the national anthem.
	National anthem of the Soviet Union State anthem of the Russian SFSR
Also known as	Славься, Отечество наше Свободное; English: "Be Glorious, our free Fatherland"
Lyrics	Gabriel El-Registan, Sergey Mikhalkov (1943 and 1977)
Music	Alexander Alexandrov, c. 1938
Adopted	15 March 1944; 1 September 1977 (modified version)
Relinquished	26 December 1991; (as national anthem of the Soviet Union); 23 November 1990; (as state anthem of the Russian SFSR)
Audio sample
	"State Anthem of the USSR" (instrumental) file; help;

The "State Anthem of the Soviet Union" (Russian: Госуда́рственный гимн Сове́тского Сою́за, tr. Gosudárstvenny gimn Sovétskogo Soyúza, IPA: [ɡəsʊˈdarstvʲɪnːɨj ɡʲimn sɐvʲˈet͡skəvə sɐˈjuzə]), also unofficially known as "Slav'sya, Otechestvo nashe svobodnoye" (Russian: Сла́вься, Оте́чество на́ше свобо́дное, lit. 'Be Glorious, our free Motherland') was the official national anthem of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics and the state anthem of the Russian Soviet Federative Socialist Republic from 1944 to 1991, replacing "The Internationale". The lyrics were written by Sergey Mikhalkov (1913–2009) in collaboration with Gabriel El-Registan (1899–1945) and the music was composed by Alexander Alexandrov (1883–1946). Although the Soviet Union was dissolved in 1991, the melody of its national anthem continues to be used in the Russian Federation's national anthem, which has different lyrics from the version used in the Soviet Union.

History

Origins

The music was originally composed by Alexander Alexandrov in circa 1938 for the Hymn of the Bolshevik Party. The opening bars of this song were sampled from one of Alexandrov's previous pieces, Life Has Become Better.^[1]^[2] This song was based off a quote said by former Soviet Union General Secretary Joseph Stalin at the First All-Union Meeting of the Stakhanovites on November 17, 1935.^[3] The manner of this song alludes to Stalin's cult of personality.

When the Communist International (Comintern) was dissolved in 1943 in order for the Soviet Union to maintain its alliance with the other Allies of World War II, a new musical piece was needed to replace "The Internationale" as the national anthem. A contest was held in mid to late 1943 for a new anthem to be selected, with more than 200 submitted entries.^[4] Alexandrov's music was chosen by Stalin personally, who both praised and criticized the song.^[5] Once the song was selected, new lyrics had to be written. Stalin thought that the hymn to be short, and that it had to invoke the Red Army's impending victory over the forces of Germany on the Eastern Front. The poets Sergey Mikhalkov and Gabriel El-Registan were selected to write new lyrics by Stalin's staffers, and were called to Moscow. They were tasked with writing new lyrics which referenced not only the Great Patriotic War, but also "a Country of Soviets". The first draft of the lyrics were completed overnight. Stalin had suggested more lyrics be made about himself, and so an extra line was added making reference to Stalin inspiring the people.

The anthem was first published on 7 November 1943, was played for the first time on Soviet radio at midnight on 1 January 1944 and was officially adopted on 15 March the same year.^[6] The newly created lyrics 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 to glory. Joseph Stalin and the Soviet Union's war against Germany were originally invoked in the second and third verses respectively.

Post-Stalin era

State Anthem of the Soviet Union (3:17)

Keyboard leads only, without vocals

Vocal (1944 lyrics)

By the Red Army Ensemble

Instrumental (1955)

Vocal (1977 lyrics)

By the choir and orchestra of Bolshoi Theater

Problems playing these files? See media help.

With the process of de-Stalinization after Stalin's death, the lyrics referring to him were considered unacceptable, and from 1953–1977 the anthem was performed without lyrics.^[7] A notable exception took place at the 1976 Canada Cup ice hockey tournament, where singer Roger Doucet insisted on performing the anthem with lyrics after consultations with Russian studies scholars from Université de Montréal and Soviet team officials.^[8]^[9] In 1977, to coincide with the 60th anniversary of the October Revolution, revised lyrics, earlier written in 1970 by original author Sergey Mikhalkov,^[10] were adopted. The varying refrains were replaced by a uniform refrain following all stanzas; the line praising Stalin was dropped, as were the lines referring to the Great Patriotic War. A notable change in the lyrics was the replacement of a line referencing the Flag of the Soviet Union to one mentioning the Bolshevik Party in the form of "Partiya Lenina" (The party of Lenin). These lyrics were also present in the original Bolshevik party anthem at the same location within the melody, followed by the lyrics "Partiya Stalina" (The party of Stalin).

Post-1991 use

Use in the Russian Federation

After the dissolution of the Soviet Union in 1991, the Russian Federation adopted a new wordless anthem called the "Patriotic Song", although there were suggestions for adopting lyrics. As a result, a few different versions were produced.^[11] In 2000, the current national anthem of Russia was introduced, which used the music of the Soviet national anthem and new lyrics written by Sergey Mikhalkov.

State Union of Russia and Belarus

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. The anthem also had official versions in the languages of every Soviet republic and in several other Soviet languages.

Decommunization

In some post-Soviet states which adopted decommunization laws banning the Communist symbolism, performing the Soviet anthem is illegal. For example, since 2015 in Ukraine the offenders face up to five years of prison.^[12] Similar laws were adopted in Latvia,^[13] and Lithuania.^[14]

Official Translations

The anthem has been officially translated to several languages. Below is a list of authors of the translation of the anthem.

Language	For	Date	Author
Latvian	Latvian SSR	1944	Ārija Elksne and Andris Vējāns^[15]
Estonian	Estonian SSR	unknown	Vladimir Beekman
Lithuanian	Lithuanian SSR	1944	Antanas Venclova^[16]
Tatar	Tatar ASSR	unknown	Akhmet Abdullovich Iskhakov and Nuri Gazizovich Arslanov^[17]
Bashkir	Bashkir ASSR	unknown	A. Igebaev, G. Ramazanov, and S. Әlibaev^[18]

Sheet music of the translations

Soviet Socialist Republics

Country	Armenian SSR	Azerbaijan SSR	Byelorussian SSR	Estonian SSR	Georgian SSR
Sheet music	Example	Example	Example		Example

Country	Kazakh SSR	Kirghiz SSR	Latvian SSR	Lithuanian SSR	Moldavian SSR
Sheet music	Example	Example			Example

Country	Russian SFSR	Tajik SSR	Turkmen SSR	Ukrainian SSR	Uzbek SSR
Sheet music		Example	Example	Example	Example

Autonomous Soviet Socialist Republics

Country	Tatar ASSR
Sheet music

Lyrics

Below is a set of tables containing the lyrics for the hymn. As there were two official versions of the lyrics (one in 1944 and one in 1977) both are included within their own tables.

Original lyrics

Lyrics for the 1944 version
Russian (Cyrillic)	Transliteration (BGN/PCGN)	Literal translation
Союз нерушимый республик свободных Сплотила навеки Великая Русь! Да здравствует созданный волей народов Единый, могучий Советский Союз!	Soyuz nerushimy respublik svobodnykh Splotila naveki velikaya Rus'! Da zdravstvuyet sozdanny voley narodov Yediny, moguchy Sovetsky Soyuz!	An unbreakable union of free republics, The Great Russia has welded forever to stand. Long live the creation of the will of the people, The united, mighty Soviet Union!
Славься, Отечество наше свободное, Дружбы народов надёжный оплот! Знамя Советское, знамя народное Пусть от победы к победе ведёт!	Slav'sya, Otechestvo nashe svobodnoye, Druzhby narodov nadyozhny oplot! Znamya Sovetskoye, znamya narodnoye Pust' ot pobedy k pobede vedyot!	Be glorious, our free Motherland, A reliable stronghold of the peoples' friendship! Banner of the Soviets, Banner of the people, May it lead from victory to victory!
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!	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!	Through tempests the sun of freedom shone to us, And the great Lenin illuminated our path, We were raised by Stalin to be true to the people, To labour and heroic deeds he inspired us!
Славься, Отечество наше свободное, Счастья народов надёжный оплот! Знамя Советское, знамя народное Пусть от победы к победе ведёт!	Slav'sya, Otechestvo nashe svobodnoye, Schast'ya narodov nadyozhny oplot! Znamya Sovetskoye, znamya narodnoye Pust' ot pobedy k pobede vedyot!	Be glorious, our free Motherland, A reliable stronghold of the peoples' happiness! Banner of the Soviets, Banner of the people, May it lead from victory to victory!
Мы армию нашу растили в сраженьях. Захватчиков подлых с дороги сметём! Мы в битвах решаем судьбу поколений, Мы к славе Отчизну свою поведём!	My armiyu nashu rastili v srazhen'yakh, Zakhvatchikov podlykh s dorogi smetyom! My v bitvakh reshayem sud'bu pokoleny, My k slave Otchiznu svoyu povedyom!	We grew our army in battles, We will sweep the vile invaders out of the way! We shall in battle decide the fate of generations, We shall lead to glory our Motherland!
Славься, Отечество наше свободное, Славы народов надёжный оплот! Знамя Советское, знамя народное Пусть от победы к победе ведёт!	Slav'sya, Otechestvo nashe svobodnoye, Slavy narodov nadyozhny oplot! Znamya Sovetskoye, znamya narodnoye Pust' ot pobedy k pobede vedyot!	Be glorious, our free Motherland, A reliable stronghold of the peoples' glory! Banner of the Soviets, Banner of the people, May it lead from victory to victory!

Lyrics for the 1977 version
Russian	Transliteration (BGN/PCGN)	Literal translation
Союз нерушимый республик свободных Сплотила навеки Великая Русь. Да здравствует созданный волей народов Единый, могучий Советский Союз!	Soyuz nerushimy respublik svobodnykh Splotila naveki velikaya Rus'. Da zdravstvuyet sozdanny voley narodov Yediny, moguchy Sovetsky Soyuz!	An unbreakable union of free republics, The Great Russia has welded forever to stand. Long live the creation of the will of the people, The united, mighty Soviet Union!
Славься, Отечество наше свободное, Дружбы народов надёжный оплот! Партия Ленина - сила народная Нас к торжеству Коммунизма ведёт!	Slav'sya, Otechestvo nashe svobodnoye, Druzhby narodov nadyozhny oplot! Partiya Lenina - sila narodnaya Nas k torzhestvu Kommunizma vedyot!	Be glorious, our free Motherland, A reliable stronghold of the peoples' friendship! Party of Lenin, strength of the people, Leads us to the triumph of Communism!
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!	Skvoz' grozy siyalo nam solntse svobody, I Lenin velikiy nam put' ozaril, Na pravoye delo on podnyal narody, Na trud i na podvigi nas vdokhnovil!	Through tempests the sun of freedom shone to us, And the great Lenin illuminated our path, To a just cause he raised up the people To labour and heroic deeds he inspired us!
В победе бессмертных идей коммунизма Мы видим грядущее нашей страны, И Красному знамени славной Отчизны Мы будем всегда беззаветно верны!	V pobede bessmertnykh idey kommunizma My vidim gryadushcheye nashey strany, I Krasnomu znameni slavnoy Otchizny My budem vsegda bezzavetno verny!	In the victory of the immortal ideas of Communism We see the future of our country, And to the Red Banner of our glorious Motherland We shall always be selflessly true!

Other translations

Other translations for the 1944 version
Official CPSU translation^[19]	Paul Robeson's translation	English Translation by Olga Paul^[20]
Unbreakable Union of freeborn Republics Great Russia has welded forever to stand! Created in struggle by will of the Peoples, United and Mighty our Soviet Land!	United forever in friendship and labor, Our mighty Republics will ever endure. The great Soviet Union will live through the ages. The dream of a people their fortress secure!	The Russian republics, in freedom united, Have mustered their power, their glory, their pride, And thus they created the great Soviet Union, The will of the nations that spread far and wide!
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!	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!	Great shall your glory be, Motherland proud and free, Bulwark of friendship for nation and man! Flag of the Soviet, lead us to victory, Flag of the people since freedom began!
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 labour and Valorus Deed!	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!	The sunlight of freedom has shone through the tempest, And Lenin has lighted our path with his flame, While Stalin has shown us that faith in the people Inspires us to action, to deeds and to fame.
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!	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!	Our army in action has grown in its power, And soon it will wipe out the enemy horde; The fate of the future is sealed by our bravery, And honour and glory shall be our reward!

International Phonetic Alphabet transcriptions

International Phonetic Alphabet transcriptions for Russian
1944	1977
sɐˈjʉs nʲɪrʊˈʂɨmᵻj rʲɪsˈpublʲɪk svɐˈbodnᵻx splɐˈtʲilə nɐˈvʲekʲɪ vʲɪˈlʲikəjə ˈrusʲ. ˈda ˈzdrastvʊjɪt ˈsozdənːᵻj ˈvolʲɪj nɐˈrodəf jɪˈdʲinᵻj, mɐˈgut͡ɕɪj sɐˈvʲet͡skʲɪj sɐˈjʉs!	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 mɐˈɡu.t͡ɕɪj sɐˈvʲɛt͡s.kʲɪj sɐˈjus
prʲɪˈpʲef: ˈslafʲsʲə, ɐˈtʲet͡ɕɪstvə ˈnaʂᵻ svɐˈbodnəjə, ˈdruʐbᵻ nɐˈrodəf nɐˈdʲɵʐnᵻj ɐpˈlot! ˈznamʲə sɐˈvʲet͡skəjə, ˈznamʲə nɐˈrodnəjə ˈpusʲtʲ ɐt‿pɐˈbʲedᵻ k‿pɐˈbʲedʲɪ vʲɪˈdʲɵt!	ˈslafʲ.sʲə ɐˈtʲe.t͡ɕɪs.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
ˈskvosʲ ˈgrozᵻ sʲɪjæˈlə ˈnam ˈsont͡sᵻ svɐˈbodᵻ, ˈi ˈlʲenʲɪn vʲɪˈlʲikʲɪj ˈnam ˈputʲ ɐzɐˈrʲil: ˈnas ˈvɨrəsʲtʲɪl ˈstalʲɪn —— nə ˈvʲernəsʲtʲ ˈnɐrodʊ, nə ˈtrut ˈi nə ˈpodvʲɪɡʲɪ ˈnas vdəxnɐˈvʲil!	skvəzʲ‿ˈɡro.zɨ sʲɪˈja.lɐ nam ˈson.t͡sɪ 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.ɡʲɪ ˈnas vdəx.nɐ.vʲɪl
ˈmɨ ˈarmʲɪjʉ ˈnaʂʊ rɐsʲˈtʲilʲɪ f‿srɐˈʐɛnʲjəx. zɐxˈvat͡ɕːɪkəf ˈpodlᵻx z‿ˈdorəɡʲɪ smʲɪˈtʲɵm! ˈmɨ v‿ˈbʲitvəx rʲɪˈʂajɪm sʊdʲˈbu pəkɐˈlʲenʲɪj, ˈmɨ k‿ˈslavʲɪ ɐˈt͡ɕːiznʊ ˈsvojʉ pəvʲɪˈdʲɵm!	f‿pɐˈbʲe.dʲɪ bʲɪˈsmʲɛrt.nɨx ɪˈdʲej kə.muˈnʲiz.mə mɨ‿ˈvʲi.dʲɪm ɡrʲɪˈdu.ɕːiə ˈna.ʂɨj stra.nɨ i ˈkras.nə.mu ˈzna.mʲɪ.nʲɪ ˈslav.nəj ɐˈt͡ɕiz.nɨ mɨ ˈbu.dʲɪm fsʲɪɡˈda bɪ.zːɐˈvʲɛt.nə vʲɪrˈnɨ

Media

Soviet Anthem (1944) Russian