# State Anthem of the Soviet Union

The State Anthem of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics was the national anthem of the Soviet Union and the regional anthem of the Russian Soviet Federative Socialist Republic from 1944 to 1991, replacing "The Internationale". Its original lyrics were written by Sergey Mikhalkov (1913–2009) in collaboration with El-Registan (1899–1945), and its music was composed by Alexander Alexandrov (1883–1946). For a two-decade interval following de-Stalinization, the anthem was performed without lyrics. The second set of lyrics, also written by Mikhalkov and in which Stalin's name was omitted, was adopted in 1977.
A decade after the dissolution of the Soviet Union, the same melody was used for the Soviet Union's successor state, as the State Anthem of the Russian Federation.

## History
### Origins

The anthem's music was originally composed by Alexander Alexandrov in 1938 for the Hymn of the Bolshevik Party. Its opening bars were borrowed from one of Alexandrov's previous pieces, "Life Has Become Better", which was based on a quote by former Soviet Union General Secretary Joseph Stalin at the First All-Union Meeting of the Stakhanovites on 17 November 1935.
Other than "Life Has Become Better", the music of the anthem has several possible outside influences. Alexandrov himself has described it as the combination of a march with Russian traditional music, particularly that of bylina epic songs. The anthem shares several chord progressions with Vasily Kalinnikov's overture Bylina, Epic Poem (which, as its name indicates, is also inspired by the bylina tradition). There also exist similarities between Alexandrov's anthem and Robert Schumann's Frühlingsfahrt.
When the Communist International (Comintern) was dissolved in 1943 for the Soviet Union to maintain its alliance with the other Allies of World War II, a new composition was needed to replace "The Internationale" as the national anthem. A contest was held in mid to late 1943 for a new anthem, and more than 200 entries were submitted. Alexandrov's music was personally chosen by Stalin, who both praised and criticized it. The anthem's lyrics then had to be written. Stalin thought the song should be short, and that it should invoke the Red Army's impending victory over the forces of Germany on the Eastern Front. The poets Sergey Mikhalkov and Gabriyel' Arkadyevich Ureklyan were chosen by Stalin's staffers, called to Moscow, and given the task of writing lyrics that referenced not only the Great Patriotic War, but also "a Country of Soviets". The first draft was completed overnight.
The anthem was first published on 7 November 1943. It was played for the first time on Soviet radio at midnight on 1 January 1944, and officially adopted on 15 March the same year. The new lyrics had three refrains following three different stanzas. In each refrain, the second line was modified to refer to friendship, then happiness, then glory. Joseph Stalin and the Soviet Union's war against Germany were originally invoked in the second and third verses, respectively. Reportedly, Stalin was opposed to including his name in the lyrics but relented after some Politburo members insisted.

### Post-Stalin era

With the process of de-Stalinization after Stalin's death, the lyrics referring to him were considered unacceptable, and from 1956 to 1977 the anthem was performed without lyrics. 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. In 1977, to coincide with the 60th anniversary of the October Revolution, revised lyrics, written in 1970 by original author Sergey Mikhalkov, were adopted. The varying refrains were replaced by a uniform refrain after all stanzas, and the line praising Stalin was dropped, as were the lines referring to the Great Patriotic War. Another notable change was the replacement of a line referring to the Soviet national flag with one citing the Communist Party of the Soviet Union in the form of "Partiya Lenina" (The party of Lenin). These lyrics were also present in the original party anthem at the same place in the melody, but 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 anthem, the Patriotic Song. It was previously the regional anthem of the Russian Soviet Federative Socialist Republic from 1990 until 1991 (until 1990 it used the State Anthem of the Soviet Union). Unlike most national anthems, it had no official lyrics (although unofficial ones written for it were proposed, they were not adopted).
The Patriotic Song was replaced soon after Vladimir Putin first took office on 7 May 2000. The federal legislature established and approved the music of the National Anthem of the Soviet Union, with newly written lyrics, in December 2000. Boris Yeltsin criticized Putin for supporting the semi-reintroduction of the Soviet-era national anthem, although some opinion polls showed that many Russians favored this decision. In late 2000, the current national anthem of Russia was introduced, which uses the music of the Soviet national anthem with new lyrics by Sergey Mikhalkov, who also wrote both the original Soviet anthem and its remake in 1977.

### State Union of Russia and Belarus

The same music was used for a proposed anthem for the State Union of Russia and Belarus, entitled Derzhavny Soyuz Narodov ("Sovereign Union of Nations"). Its lyrics were not tied to any specific nationality, and there were official versions in the languages of every Soviet republic and several other Soviet languages; thus it could have been adopted by a broader union. However, it was never officially adopted, and there appear to be no plans to utilize it in any official role.

### Decommunization

In some post-Soviet states which adopted decommunization laws banning Communist symbolism, publicly performing the Soviet anthem is illegal. For example, since 2015, offenders in Ukraine face up to five years in prison with the exception of Russian-occupied areas in Ukraine. Similar laws were adopted in Latvia and Lithuania.

### Russo-Ukrainian War

After Russia annexed Crimea, Ukrainian artist Orest Lyutyy [uk] responded with the song Die, Empire! (Здохни, Імперія!), which is modified from the Soviet national anthem.

## Official translations

The anthem has been officially translated into several languages:
| Language | For | Date | Author |
| Ukrainian | Ukrainian SSR | 1944 | Mykola Bazhan |
| Komi | Komi ASSR | 1944 | Sergey Karavayev |
| Azerbaijani | Azerbaijan SSR Dagestan ASSR | 1944 | Samad Vurgun |
| Tatar | Tatar ASSR | 1944 | Äxmät İsxaq and Nuri Arslanov [ru; tt] |
| Lithuanian | Lithuanian SSR | 1944 | Antanas Venclova |
| Latvian | Latvian SSR | 1944 | Ārija Elksne [lt; lv; ru] and Andris Vējāns [be; lv; uk] |
| Bashkir | Bashkir ASSR | unknown | Abdulkhak Igebaev [ba; ru; tt], Ghilemdar Ramazanov [ba; ru; tt] and Safuan Alibay [ba; ru; tt] |
| Estonian | Estonian SSR | 1944 | Vladimir Beekman |
| Yakut | Yakut ASSR | 1944 | Nikolai Mordinov [kk; ru; sah] and Sergey Vasilyev [ru; sah] |

## Lyrics

This table shows the anthem's various lyrics. As there were two official lyric versions (in 1944 and 1977), both are included within their sections.

### Original version

| Russian original | Romanization of Russian | IPA transcription as sung |
| I Союз нерушимый республик свободных Сплотила навеки Великая Русь. Да здравствует созданный волей народов Единый, могучий Советский Союз! Припев I: Славься, Отечество наше свободное, Дружбы народов надёжный оплот! Знамя советское, знамя народное Пусть от победы к победе ведёт! II 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 II: Славься, Отечество наше свободное, Счастья народов надёжный оплот! Знамя советское, знамя народное Пусть от победы к победе ведёт! III Мы армию нашу растили в сраженьях. Захватчиков подлых с дороги сметём! Мы в битвах решаем судьбу поколений, Мы к славе Отчизну свою поведём! Припев III: Славься, Отечество наше свободное, Славы народов надёжный оплот! Знамя советское, знамя народное Пусть от победы к победе ведёт! | I Soyúz nerushímyy respúblik svobódnykh Splotíla navéki velíkaya Rus. Da zdrávstvuyet sózdannyy vóley naródov Yedínyy, mogúchiy Sovétskiy Soyúz! Pripév I: Slávsya, Otéchestvo náshe svobódnoye, Drúzhby naródov nadyózhnyy oplót! Známya sovétskoye, známya naródnoye Pust ot pobédy k pobéde vedyót! II Skvoz grózy siyálo nam sólnce svobódy, I Lénin velíkiy nam put ozaríl Nas výrastil Stálin — na vérnost naródu, Na trud i na pódvigi nas vdokhnovíl! Pripév II: Slávsya, Otéchestvo náshe svobódnoye, Schástia naródov nadyózhnyy oplót! Známya sovétskoye, známya naródnoye Pust ot pobédy k pobéde vedyót! III My ármiyu náshu rastíli v srazhéniakh. Zakhvátchikov pódlykh s dorógi smetyóm! My v bítvakh resháyem sudbú pokoléniy, My k sláve Otchíznu svoyú povedyóm! Pripév III: Slávsya, Otéchestvo náshe svobódnoye, Slávy naródov nadyózhnyy oplót! Známya sovétskoye, známya naródnoye Pust ot pobédy k pobéde vedyót! | 1 [sɐ.ˈjuz‿nʲɛ.rʊ.ˈʂɨ.mɨj rʲɪs.ˈpu.blʲɪk svɐ.ˈbod.nɨx] [spɫɐ.ˈtʲi.ɫa nɐ.ˈvʲɛ.kʲi vʲɛ.ˈlʲi.ka.jɐ rusʲ] [dɐ‿ˈzdra.stvʊ.jɪt ˈsoz.dan.nɨj ˈvo.lʲej nɐ.ˈro.dɐf] [jɛ.ˈdʲi.nɨj mɐ.ˈɡu.tɕɪj sɐ.ˈvʲɛt.skʲɪj sɐ.ˈjus] [prʲɪ.ˈpʲɛf] 1 [ˈsɫaf⁽ʲ⁾.sʲa a.ˈtʲɛ.tɕɪst.va ˈna.ʂɛ sva.ˈbod.na.jɛ] [ˈdruʐ.bɨ nɐ.ˈro.dɐf nɐ.ˈdʲɵʐ.nɨj ɐ.ˈpɫot] [ˈzna.mʲa sa.ˈvʲɛt.ska.jɛ ˈzna.mʲa na.ˈrod.na.jɛ] [pusʲtʲ at pɐ.ˈbʲɛ.dɨ k‿pɐ.ˈbʲɛ.dʲɛ vʲɪ.ˈdʲɵt] 2 [skvɐzʲ‿ˈɡro.zɨ sʲɪ.ˈja.ɫa nam ˈson.tsɛ svɐ.ˈbo.dɨ] [i ˈlʲɛ.nʲin vʲɛ.ˈlʲi.kʲɪj nam putʲ ɐ.zɐ.ˈrʲiɫ] [naz‿ˈvɨ.rasʲ.tʲɪɫ ˈsta.lʲin nɐ‿ˈvʲɛr.nasʲtʲ nɐ.ˈro.dʊ] [nɐ‿trud i nɐ‿ˈpod.vʲɪ.ɡʲɪ naz‿vdɐx.nɐ.ˈvʲiɫ] [prʲɪ.ˈpʲɛf] 2 [ˈsɫaf⁽ʲ⁾.sʲa a.ˈtʲɛ.tɕɪst.va ˈna.ʂɛ sva.ˈbod.na.jɛ] [ˈɕːasʲ.tʲja nɐ.ˈro.dɐf nɐ.ˈdʲɵʐ.nɨj ɐ.ˈpɫot] [ˈzna.mʲa sa.ˈvʲɛt.ska.jɛ ˈzna.mʲa na.ˈrod.na.jɛ] [pusʲtʲ at pɐ.ˈbʲɛ.dɨ k‿pɐ.ˈbʲɛ.dʲɛ vʲɪ.ˈdʲɵt] 3 [mɨ ˈar.mʲi.jʊ ˈna.ʂʊ rɐsʲ.ˈtʲi.lʲi f‿srɐ.ˈʐɛ.nʲjɐx] [zɐ.ˈxvat.tɕi.kɐf ˈpod.ɫɨɣ‿z‿dɐ.ˈro.ɡʲi smʲɪ.ˈtʲɵm] [mɨ ˈv‿bʲit.vax rʲɪ.ˈʂa.jɛm sʊdʲ.ˈbu pa.kɐ.ˈlʲɛ.nʲɪj] [mɨ ˈk‿sɫa.vʲɛ ɐt.ˈtɕiz.nʊ svɐ.ˈju pa.vʲɪ.ˈdʲɵm] [prʲɪ.ˈpʲɛf] 3 [ˈsɫaf⁽ʲ⁾.sʲa a.ˈtʲɛ.tɕɪst.va ˈna.ʂɛ sva.ˈbod.na.jɛ] [ˈsɫa.vɨ nɐ.ˈro.dɐf nɐ.ˈdʲɵʐ.nɨj ɐ.ˈpɫot] [ˈzna.mʲa sa.ˈvʲɛt.ska.jɛ ˈzna.mʲa na.ˈrod.na.jɛ] [pusʲtʲ at pɐ.ˈbʲɛ.dɨ k‿pɐ.ˈbʲɛ.dʲɛ vʲɪ.ˈdʲɵt] |

### Post-Stalin version

| Russian original | Romanization | IPA transcription as sung |
| I 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! II 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 III В победе бессмертных идей коммунизма Мы видим грядущее нашей страны, И Красному знамени славной Отчизны Мы будем всегда беззаветно верны! Припев | I Soyúz nerushímyy respúblik svobódnykh Splotíla navéki velíkaya Rus. Da zdrávstvuyet sózdanny vóley naródov Yedínyy, mogúchiy Sovétskiy Soyúz! Pripév: Slávsya, Otéchestvo náshe svobódnoye, Drúzhby naródov nadyózhnyy oplót! Pártiya Lénina — síla naródnaya Nas k torzhestvú kommunízma vedyót! II Skvoz grózy siyálo nam sólnce svobódy, I Lénin velíkiy nam put ozaríl, Na právoye délo on pódnyal naródy, Na trud i na pódvigi nas vdokhnovíl! Pripév III Vpobéde bessmértnykh idéy kommunízma My vídim gryadúshcheye náshey straný, I Krásnomu známeni slávnoy Otchízny My búdem vsegdá bezzavétno verný! Pripév | 1 [sɐ.ˈjuz‿nʲɛ.rʊ.ˈʂɨ.mɨj rʲɪs.ˈpu.blʲɪk svɐ.ˈbod.nɨx] [spɫɐ.ˈtʲi.ɫa nɐ.ˈvʲɛ.kʲi vʲɛ.ˈlʲi.ka.ja rusʲ] [dɐ‿ˈzdrast.vʊ.jɪt ˈsoz.dan.nɨj ˈvo.lʲej nɐ.ˈro.dɐf] [jɛ.ˈdʲi.nɨj mɐ.ˈɡu.tɕɪj sɐ.ˈvʲɛt.skʲɪj sɐ.ˈjus] [prʲɪ.ˈpʲɛf]: [ˈsɫaf⁽ʲ⁾.sʲa a.ˈtʲɛ.tɕɪst.va ˈna.ʂɛ sva.ˈbod.na.jɛ] [ˈdruʐ.bɨ nɐ.ˈro.dɐf nɐ.ˈdʲɵʐ.nɨj ɐ.ˈpɫot] [ˈpar.tʲi.ja ˈlʲɛ.nʲi.na ˈsʲi.ɫa na.ˈrod.na.ja] [nas k‿tar.ʐɨst.ˈvu ka.mʊ.ˈnʲiz.ma vʲɪ.ˈdʲɵt] 2 [skvɐzʲ‿ˈɡro.zɨ sʲɪ.ˈja.ɫa nam ˈson.tsɛ svɐ.ˈbo.dɨ] [i ˈlʲɛ.nʲin vʲɛ.ˈlʲi.kʲɪj nam putʲ ɐ.zɐ.ˈrʲiɫ] [nɐ‿ˈpra.va.jɪ ˈdʲɛ.ɫa on ˈpodʲ.nʲaɫ nɐ.ˈro.dɨ] [nɐ‿trud i nɐ‿ˈpod.vʲɪ.ɡʲɪ naz‿vdɐx.nɐ.ˈvʲiɫ] [prʲɪ.ˈpʲɛf] 3 [f‿pɐ.ˈbʲɛ.dʲɛ bʲɪs.ˈsmʲɛrt.nɨx ɪ.ˈdʲɛj ka.mʊ.ˈnʲiz.ma] [mɨ ˈvʲi.dʲɪm ɡrʲɪ(ɐ).ˈduɕ.ɕɛ.jɪ ˈna.ʂɛj strɐ.ˈnɨ] [i ˈkras.na.mʊ ˈzna.mʲɛ.nʲɪ ˈsɫav.naj ɐt.ˈtɕiz.nɨ] [mɨ ˈbu.dʲɪm fsʲɪɡ.ˈda bʲɛz.zɐ.ˈvʲɛt.na vʲɪr.ˈnɨ] [prʲɪ.ˈpʲɛf] |

### English translations

| Literal translation of the original version | Literal translation of the post-Stalin version |
| I An unbreakable union of free republics, The Great Rus' has sealed forever. Long live, the creation by the people's will, The united, mighty Soviet Union! Chorus: Be glorified, our free motherland, Reliable stronghold of the people's friendship/happiness/glory! Banner of the Soviets, the banner of the people, May it lead from victory to victory! II Through storms, the sun of freedom shone on us, And Great Lenin illuminated our path. Stalin taught us to be faithful to the people, To labor and achievements, we were inspired! Chorus III We raised our Army in battles, And swept the vile invaders from the path! In battles, we determine the fate of generations, We bring glory to our Fatherland! Chorus | I An unbreakable union of free republics, The Great Rus' has sealed forever. Long live, the creation by the people's will, The united, mighty Soviet Union! Chorus: Be glorified, our free Motherland, Reliable stronghold of the people's friendship! The Party of Lenin – the strength of the people, Leads us to the triumph of Communism! II Through storms, the sun of freedom shined on us, And Great Lenin illuminated our path! To a righteous cause, he raised the people To labor and achievements, we were inspired! Chorus III In the victory of Communism's immortal ideas, We see the future of our country! And to the red banner of the glorious Motherland, We will always be devotedly true! Chorus |

### English adaptations

| Official CPSU translation (1944 lyrics) | Paul Robeson's adaptation (1949) | Olga Paul version (1944) |
| I 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! Chorus: Sing to our Motherland, Free, and Undying, Friendship of people is a reliable stronghold! Flag of the Soviets, Flag of the people, From Victory to Victory lead us on! II Through tempests, the sunrays 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 Valorous Deed! Chorus III 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 | I 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! 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! II 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 III 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 honor her name! Chorus | I The Russian [Soviet] 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: Great shall your glory be, motherland proud and free, Bulwark of friendship for nation and man! Flag of the Soviets, lead us to victory, Flag of the people since freedom began! II 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, deeds, and fame. Chorus III 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, For honor and glory shall be our reward! Chorus |