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_. Currently it is the State Anthem of the Russian Federation. The exuberant key of C major fits the mood of the anthem.

## History

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 were 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 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 are the Russian and the English versions of the lyrics; both can be sung to the music. Like "The Internationale", there are also other versions of the Soviet anthem in different languages.

### Official Russian lyrics

||<div style="color:#FFD900">**Cyrillic script**</div>||<div style="color:#FFD900">**Latin script**</div>||<div style="color:#FFD900">**IPA transcription**</div>|
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
|<poem>Союз нерушимый республик свободных Сплотила навеки Великая Русь. Да здравствует созданный волей народов Единый, могучий Советский Союз! <small>**Припев:**</small> _Славься, Отечество наше свободное,_ _Дружбы народов надёжный оплот!_ _Партия Ленина—сила народная_ _Нас к торжеству коммунизма ведёт!_ 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! <small>***Припев***</small> В победе бессмертных идей коммунизма Мы видим грядущее нашей страны, И Красному знамени славной Отчизны Мы будем всегда беззаветно верны! <small>***Припев***</small></poem>|<poem>Sojuz nerušimyj respublik svobodnyh Splotila naveki velikaja Rusj! Da zdravstvujet sozdannyj volej narodov Jedinyj, mogučij Sovetskij Sojuz! <small>**Pripev:**</small> _Slavjsä, Otečestvo naše svobodnoje,_ _Družby narodov nadöžnyj oplot,_ _Partija Lenina — sila narodnaja_ _Nas k toržestvu kommunizma vedöt!_ Skvozj grozy sijalo nam solnce svobody, I Lenin velikij nam putj ozaril, Na pravoje delo on podnäl narody, Na trud i na podvigi nas vdohnovil! <small>***Pripev***</small> V pobede bessmertnyh idej kommunizma My vidim gräduśeje našej strany, I krasnomu znameni slavnoj otčizny My budem vsegda bezzavetno verny! <small>***Pripev***</small></poem>|<poem>[sɐˈjus nʲɪruˈʂɨmɨj rʲɪsˈpublʲɪk svɐˈbodnɨx] [splɐˈtʲilə nɐˈvʲekʲɪ vʲɪˈlʲikəjɪ ˈrusʲ] [də ˈzdrastvujɪt ˈsozdənɨj ˈvolʲɪj nɐˈrodəf] [jɪˈdʲinɨj mɐˈɡutɕɪj sɐˈvʲɛtskʲɪj sɐˈjus] <small>**[prʲɪˈpʲef]**</small> [ˈslafʲsʲə ɐˈtʲetɕɪstvə ˈnaʂɨ svɐˈbodnəjɪ] [ˈdruʐbɨ nɐˈrodəf nɐˈdʲoʐnɨj ɐˈplot] [ˈpartʲɪjə ˈlʲenʲɪnə sʲilə nɐˈrodnəjə] [nɐs k‿tərʐɨstˈvu kəmuˈnʲizmə vʲɪˈdʲot] [skvəzʲˈɡrozɨ sʲɪˈjalɐ nam ˈsontsɪ svɐˈbodɨ] [i ˈlʲenʲɪn vʲɪˈlʲikʲɪj nɐm ˈputʲ əzɐˈrʲil] [nɐ ˈpravəjɪ ˈdʲɛlə on ˈpodnʲɪl naˈrodɨ] [nɐ ˈtrud i nɐ ˈpodvʲɪɡʲɪ ˈnas vdəxnɐvʲɪl] <small>**[prʲɪˈpʲef]**</small> [f‿pɐˈbʲedʲɪ bʲɪˈsmʲɛrtnɨx ɪˈdʲej kəmuˈnʲizmə] [mɨ ˈvʲidʲɪm ɡrʲɪˈduɕːiə ˈnaʂɨj stranɨ] [i ˈkrasnəmu ˈznamʲɪnʲɪ ˈslavnəj ɐˈtɕiznɨ] [mɨ ˈbudʲɪm fsʲɪɡˈda bɪzːɐˈvʲɛtnə vʲɪrˈnɨ] <small>**[prʲɪˈpʲef]**</small></poem>||||

### Official English translation

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!

- **Chorus:**
    - _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 the peoples,
- Inspired them to labor and valorous deed.

- ***Chorus***

- 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***

## Original 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 Russian lyrics

||<div style="color:#FFD900">**Cyrillic script**</div>||<div style="color:#FFD900">**Latin script**</div>||<div style="color:#FFD900">**IPA transcription**</div>|
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
|<poem>Союз нерушимый республик свободных Сплотила навеки Великая Русь. Да здравствует созданный волей народов Единый, могучий Советский Союз! _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! _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! _Славься, Отечество наше свободное,_ _Славы народов надёжный оплот!_ _Знамя советское, знамя народное_ _Пусть от победы к победе ведёт!_</poem>|<poem>Sojuz nerušimyj respublik svobodnyh Splotila naveki velikaja Rusj! Da zdravstvujet sozdannyj volej narodov Jedinyj, mogučij Sovetskij Sojuz! _Slavjsä, Otečestvo naše svobodnoje,_ _Družby narodov nadöžnyj oplot,_ _Znamä sovetskoje, znamä narodnoje_ _Pustj ot pobedy k pobede vedöt!_ Skvozj grozy sijalo nam solnce svobody, I Lenin velikij nam putj ozaril: Nas vyrastil Stalin — na vernostj narodu, Na trud i na podvigi nas vdohnovil! _Slavjsä, Otečestvo naše svobodnoje,_ _Sčastjä narodov nadöžnyj oplot,_ _Znamä sovetskoje, znamä narodnoje_ _Pustj ot pobedy k pobede vedöt!_ My armiju našu rastili v sraženjäh, Zahvatčikov podlyh s dorogi smetöm! My v bitvah rešajem sudjbu pokolenij, My k slave Otčiznu svoju povedöm! _Slavjsä, Otečestvo naše svobodnoje,_ _Slavy narodov nadöžnyj oplot,_ _Znamä sovetskoje, znamä narodnoje_ _Pustj ot pobedy k pobede vedöt!_</poem>|<poem>[sɐˈjʉs nʲɪrʊˈʂɨmɨj rʲɪsˈpublʲɪk svɐˈbodnɨx] [splɐˈtʲilə nɐˈvʲekʲɪ vʲɪˈlʲikəjə ˈrusʲ] [ˈda ˈzdrastvʊjɪt ˈsozdənːɨj ˈvolʲɪj nɐˈrodəf] [jɪˈdʲinɨj mɐˈgutɕɪj sɐˈvʲetskʲɪj sɐˈjʉs] [ˈslafʲsʲə ɐˈtʲetɕɪstvə ˈnaʂɨ svɐˈbodnəjə] [ˈdruʐbɨ nɐˈrodəf nɐˈdʲɵʐnɨj ɐpˈlot] [ˈznamʲə sɐˈvʲetskəjə ˈznamʲə nɐˈrodnəjə] [ˈpusʲtʲ ɐt pɐˈbʲedɨ k‿pɐˈbʲedʲɪ vʲɪˈdʲɵt] [ˈskvosʲ ˈgrozɨ sʲɪjæˈlə ˈnam ˈsontsɨ svɐˈbodɨ] [ˈi ˈlʲenʲɪn vʲɪˈlʲikʲɪj ˈnam ˈputʲ ɐzɐˈrʲil] [ˈnas ˈvɨrəsʲtʲɪl ˈstalʲɪn nə ˈvʲernəsʲtʲ ˈnɐrodʊ] [nə ˈtrut ˈi nə ˈpodvʲɪɡʲɪ ˈnas vdəxnɐˈvʲil] [ˈslafʲsʲə ɐˈtʲetɕɪstvə ˈnaʂɨ svɐˈbodnəjə] [ˈɕːæsʲtʲjə nɐˈrodəf nɐˈdʲɵʐnɨj ɐpˈlot] [ˈznamʲə sɐˈvʲetskəjə ˈznamʲə nɐˈrodnəjə] [ˈpusʲtʲ ɐt pɐˈbʲedɨ k‿pɐˈbʲedʲɪ vʲɪˈdʲɵt] [ˈmɨ ˈarmʲɪjʉ ˈnaʂʊ rɐsʲˈtʲilʲɪ f‿srɐˈʐɛnʲjəx] [zɐxˈvatɕːɪkəf ˈpodlɨx z‿ˈdɐˈroɡʲɪ smʲɪˈtʲɵm] [ˈmɨ v‿ˈbʲitvəx rʲɪˈʂajɪm sʊdʲˈbu pəkɐˈlʲenʲɪj] [ˈmɨ k‿ˈslavʲɪ ɐˈtɕːiznʊ svɐˈju pəvʲɪˈdʲɵm] [ˈslafʲsʲə ɐˈtʲetɕɪstvə ˈnaʂɨ svɐˈbodnəjə] [ˈslavɨ nɐˈrodəf nɐˈdʲɵʐnɨj ɐpˈlot] [ˈznamʲə sɐˈvʲetskəjə ˈznamʲə nɐˈrodnəjə] [ˈpusʲtʲ ɐt pɐˈbʲedɨ k‿pɐˈbʲedʲɪ vʲɪˈdʲɵt]</poem>||||

### English translation of 1944 version

<poem>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!

_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!_

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.

_Great shall your glory be, Motherland proud and free,_
_Bulwark of happiness for nation and man!_
_Flag of the Soviet, lead us to victory,_
_Flag of the people since freedom began!_

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 honor and glory shall be our reward!

_Great shall your glory be, Motherland proud and free,_
_Bulwark of glory for nation and man!_
_Flag of the Soviet, lead us to victory,_
_Flag of the people since freedom began!_</poem>

## Anthem of the Bolshevik Party

The **Hymn of the Bolshevik Party** (Гимн партии большевиков / _Gimn partii boljševikov_) uses the same melody as the Soviet anthem, but with different lyrics by Vasily Lebedev-Kumach.
 The opening bars of the song is sampled from _Life has Become Better_ (Жить стало лучше / _Žitj stalo lučše_), one of Alexandrov's previous pieces. From the 1930s to the 1950s, this served as the unofficial anthem of the Bolshevik Party. In 2016, Communists of Russia—a Russian communist party—declared that this piece is their party anthem.

### Lyrics

|style="width:50%;"|Russian (Cyrillic script)||Russian (Latin script)||Literal English translation|
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
|<poem>Страны небывалой свободные дети, Сегодня мы гордую песню поём О партии самой могучей на свете, О самом большом человеке своём. <small>**Припев:**</small> _Славой Ленина/овеяна, волею Сталина/спаяна,_ _Крепни и здравствуй во веки веков_ _Партия Ленина, партия Сталина_ _Мудрая партия большевиков!_ Страну от Кремля создала на земле ты Могучую Родину вольных людей. Стоит как утёс государство Советов, Рожденное силой и правдой твоей. <small>***Припев***</small> Изменников подлых гнилую породу Ты грозно сметаешь с пути своего. Ты гордость народа, ты мудрость народа, Ты сердце народа и совесть его. <small>***Припев***</small> И Маркса и Энгельса пламенный гений Предвидел коммуны грядущий восход. Дорогу к свободе наметил нам Ленин И Сталин великий по ней нас ведёт. <small>***Припев***</small></poem>|<poem>Strany nebyvaloj svobodnije deti, Segodnä my gorduju pesnü pojom O partii samoj mogučej na svete, O samom boljšom čeloveke svojom. <small>**Pripev:**</small> _Slavoj Lenina/ovejana, voleju Stalina/spajana,_ _Krepni i zdravstvuj vo veki vekov_ _Partija Lenina, partija Stalina_ _Mudraja partija boljševikov!_ <small>***Pripev***</small> Stranu ot Kremlä sozdala na zemle ty Mogučuju Rodinu voljnyh lüdej. Stoit kak utös gosudarstvo Sovetov, Roždennoje siloj i pravdoj tvojej. <small>***Pripev***</small> Izmennikov podlyh gniluju porodu Ty grozno smetaješj s puti svojevo. Ty gordostj naroda, ty mudrostj naroda, Ty serdce naroda i sovestj jevo. <small>***Pripev***</small> I Marxa i Engeljsa plamennyj genij Predvidel kommuny gräduśij voshod. Dorogu k svobode nametil nam Lenin I Stalin velikij po nej nas vedöt. <small>***Pripev***</small></poem>|<poem>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. <small>**Chorus:**</small> _Surrounded with Lenin/glory, soldered by Stalin/[our] will,_ _Grow stronger and live for eternity_ _The party of Lenin, the party of Stalin_ _Wise party of Bolsheviks!_ Thou hast created the state [starting] from the Kremlin, The able Motherland of free people. Our Soviet state stands as rock Born by thy power and truth. <small>***Chorus***</small> Rotten breeds of lowly treachers Thou wipest from our way with a formidable hand Thou art the pride of the people, the wisdom of people, The heart of the people and their conscience. <small>***Chorus***</small> 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. <small>***Chorus***</small></poem>||||

## Official translations

Because the Soviet Union had several minority languages, the anthem was translated into several different languages, including all of the official languages of each SSR and several other minority languages (especially those of Russia), including Avar, Bashkir, Karachay-Balkar, Komi, Tatar and Sakha (Yakut).