Anthem of the Estonian Soviet Socialist Republic

Eesti Nõukogude Sotsialistliku Vabariigi hümn

English: Anthem of the Estonian SSR
Former regional anthem of the Estonian SSR
Lyrics	Johannes Semper
Music	Gustav Ernesaks
Adopted	20 July 1945 21 July 1956 (modified version)
Relinquished	8 May 1990
Audio sample
State Anthem of the Estonian SSR (1945 version) file help

The anthem of the Estonian SSR was the Soviet regional anthem of the Estonian SSR between 1945 and 1990 when Estonia was occupied by the Soviet Union.

Background

The anthem was presented to the central government of the USSR in May 1944, three months after the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR had issued a decree on 3 February 1944, "On the State Anthems of the Soviet Republics."

The melody of the anthem was composed by Gustav Ernesaks, and the lyrics written by Johannes Semper. The anthems of the Estonian SSR, the Karelo-Finnish SSR, and the Georgian SSR were the only Soviet regional anthems not to mention the Russian people. After the Soviet dictator Joseph Stalin died in 1953, during the following period of "de-Stalinization" in the USSR, on 21 July 1956, the third stanza of the lyrics of the Estonian SSR anthem were changed to remove all mentions of Stalin.

During the Soviet occupation of Estonia performing or reciting the melody or lyrics of the anthem of Estonia Mu isamaa, mu õnn ja rõõm was forbidden by law, and considered a punishable criminal offence by the Soviet regime. While another song with Ernesaks' melody Mu isamaa on minu arm, served as means of expressing national feelings, and was widely regarded by Estonians as their "unofficial anthem". On 8 May 1990, Mu isamaa, mu õnn ja rõõm was restored as the state anthem, together with the blue-black-white Estonian flag and state official name Republic of Estonia.

Lyrics

Estonian

English translation

I Jää kestma, Kalevite kange rahvas, ja seisa kaljuna, me kodumaa! Ei vaibund kannatustes sinu vahvus, end läbi sajanditest murdsid sa ja tõusid õitsvaks sotsialismimaaks, et päikene su päevadesse paista saaks. II Nüüd huuga, tehas, vili, nurmel vooga, sirp, lõika, alasile, haamer, löö! Nõukogu elu, tuksu võimsa hooga, too õnne rahvale, me tubli töö! Me Liidu rahvaste ja riike seas sa, Eesti, sammu esimeste kindlas reas! III Sa kõrgel Leninlikku lippu kannad ja julgelt kommunismi rada käid. Partei me sammudele suuna annab ja võidult võitudele viib ta meid. Ta kindlal juhtimisel kasva sa ja tugevaks ning kauniks saa, me kodumaa!

I Endure, strong people of the Kalevs And stand as a boulder, our homeland! Your courage did not subside in the sufferings, You broke yourself through the centuries, and became a flourishing socialist country, So the sun could shine in your days.    II Now roar, factories, wave, cornfields; Reap, sickle and strike, anvil and hammer! May the Soviet life, in full swing Bring happiness to the people through good labor! Among the people and nations of our union, You, Estonia, march at the firm forefront! III You’re holding the Flag of Lenin high, And boldly following the path of Communism. Our Party will give us direction And will lead us from victory to victory. You will grow under its firm leadership And become strong and beautiful, our Homeland!

External links

• Instrumental recording in MP3 format (Full version)
• Instrumental recording in MP3 format (Short version)
• Estonian SSR Anthem 1945(Eesti NSV Hümn)
• MIDI file
• Vocal recording in MP3 format
• Lyrics - nationalanthems.info Archived 2008-05-27 at the Wayback Machine