Anthem of the Latvian Soviet Socialist Republic


The State Anthem of the Latvian SSR was the anthem of the Latvian Soviet Socialist Republic under the Soviet Union.
During Soviet rule, the previous anthem, "Dievs, svētī Latviju!", composed by Kārlis Baumanis was illegal and the anthem was approved by the Supreme Soviet of the Latvian Soviet Socialist Republic on 19 July 1945. The original lyrics had references to Joseph Stalin until its replacement in 1977 when the references of him were removed. After Latvia regained independence in 1990, Dievs, svētī Latviju! was restored as its anthem on 15 February 1991.

Background

The music was composed by Anatols Liepiņš, and the lyrics were written by Fricis Rokpelnis and Jūlijs Vanags.

Lyrics

1977–1991

Latvian version

English translation of Latvian

In this land most dear we gained our freedom,
Generation upon generation blessed to be born here,
Here our sea sighs, here our fields blossom,
Here our cities ring out, here Riga resounds.
We rose to break chains of slavery,
About centuries' long struggles it is told in every place.
Only in fraternity with the great Russian nation
We became a power to wage revolution.
On Lenin's road to blessings and glory,
With the flag of October we will go on forever.
We will guard our Soviet Fatherland,
Everyone to the last drop of our blood.

Russian version

English translation of Russian

Free forever are our happy people,
A light path is open to all generations.
Rustles our sea, our fields bloom;
In the family of our cities Riga rattles.
Many times we fought for freedom
Tried to break the chains of lawlessness,
Only in the unshakable friendship with the Russian people
We were able to defeat the evil and falsehood.
Under the banner of Lenin to happiness and glory
By the Way of the October we are going triumphantly.
We are true of the great Soviet Power
And the blood for her, if necessary, we will shed!

1945–1977

The original version of the song is almost identical to the post-1977 version; instead of "Ar Oktobra karogu iesim mūždien", it is "Ar Staļinu sirdī uzvarām ko mēs ejam".