Why I Like the Soviet National Anthem

Majestic, somber - I can say this because the lyrics are completely impenetrable to me. I understand they're all about communism and Lenin. Sure, why not.

But the tune itself is moving. Passionate, but restrained. It has a very final feel to it, as if the melody is saying "Here I am, world, in spite of all you've done to beat me down!"

And now that there is no Soviet Union anymore, I think I'll just borrow their national anthem and put it to good use elsewhere.

Oh, and I think you can hear a bit of this anthem in "The Hunt for Red October".

Impenetrable lyrics? All you have to do is ask someone who understands Russian!

Here is my translation of the first few verses (there is more, but I do not remember the rest). Be warned, you may not like the Soviet anthem that much after you understand the arrogant and bombastic lyrics, and how the tune is just a reflection of the same.

Indestructable Union of free Republics
has forever fenced together Great Russia.
Long live, the put-together-by-the-will-of-nations,
the only powerful, Soviet Union!

As recent history has shown the Union was not indestructable, and it certainly was not put together by the will of nations.

By the way, while I do not remember all of its text, I have just remembered the very last line:

Let it lead from victory to victory!

Rather militant, wasn't it...