the greek national anthem the hymn to freedom
TRANSCRIPT
The Greek National Anthem
The Hymn to Freedom
The Greek Anthem is based on the "Hymn to the Freedom", a large - 158 strophes ( stanzas ) - poem written by Dionysios Solomos, a distinguished poet of 25 years old only from Zakynthos Island.
During 1828, the eminent musician from Corfu Island Nicolaos Mantzaros composed the music for the Solomos' Hymn.
The poem was inspired by the Greek
Revolution of 1821 against the Ottoman
Empire.
Th.Vryzakis «Germanos blessing the flag» 1865
Th.Vryzakis «The sortie from Messolonghi» 1853
The "Hymn to the Freedom" was extremely popular since the Revolution times, often recited or sung during patriotic meetings and celebrations. The two first strophes ( stanzas ) were officially recognized as the national anthem of the independent Greek state in 1865.
Writing the "Hymn to the Freedom" in 1823, Dionysios Solomos helped the national struggle. The poet reviews the whole history of the Greek Revolution, comments on the negative attitude of the Great Forces, describes the pains and the offerings of the rebels, criticizes their dissensions, calls for unanimity and consolidation - always pointing to Freedom - the major human value.
The poet visions the freedom as a woman armed with a sword that has a terrible blade. She is ready to fight for cutting the slavery “chains” and surveys the earth with haste, as if she wants to spread whole at once. The poet believes that freedom is based on the sacrifice, that is fed and grown by this as she seems to be taken out of the Greeks’ sacred bones.
Eugene Delacroix «Liberty leading the people»1830
Eugene Delacroix «Greece on the ruins of Messolonghi» 1826
Greek National Anthem
• Literal
I recognize you by the blade,
the awesome, of the sword,
I recognize you from the gleam
which with haste surveys the
earth.
From the bones arisen,
of the Greeks’, the sacred
and, like first again you stand
brave
hail, o hail, Liberty!
• Poetic
I shall always recognize you
by the dreadful sword you
hold
as the Earth with searching
vision
you survey with spirit bold
From the Greeks of old whose
dying
brought to life and spirit free
now with ancient valour rising
let us hail you, oh Liberty!
Σε γνωρίζω από την κόψητου σπαθιού την τρομερή,σε γνωρίζω από την όψη
που με βια μετράει την γη.
Απ’ τα κόκκαλα βγαλμένητων Ελλήνων τα ιερά,
και σαν πρώτα ανδρειωμένη,χαίρε, ω χαίρε, Ελευθεριά!