English words to the Soviet National Anthem, or Gimn Sovetskogo Sojuza. Music by A. V. Aleksandrov (1883 - 1946) The original lyrics are by S.V. Mikhalkov, who was a noted author of childrens' stories. Written in 1944, it was edited in 1977, removing several references to Stalin.

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!

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 up the peoples,
Inspired them to labor and valorous deed.

(Or, the old way:
Be true to the people, thus Stalin has reared us,
Inspire us to labor and valorous deed!

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!

In the vict'ry 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!
Now you must sing it in Russian. Out loud. Repeat after me:

Hymn of the Soviet Union
anglicised and given phonetically

Soy'ooz neroosh'imi resp'ooblik svob'odnikh
Splot'ila nav'eki vel'ikaia Rus
Da zdr'avstvooyet sozdanni voley nar'odov
Yed'ini mog'oochi Sov'etski Soy'ooz

Chorus:
Sl'avsa ot'echestvo n'ashe svob'odnoye
Dr'oojbi nar'odov nady'ojni opl'ot
P'artia L'enina, - s'ila narodnaya
Nas k torjestv'oo kommun'izma vedy'ot

Skvoz g'odi siy'alo nam s'ontse svob'oodi
I L'enin vel'iki nam put ozar'il
Na pr'avoye d'elo on p'odnal nar'odi
na tr'ood i na p'odvigi nas vdokhnov'il

Chorus:
Sl'avsa ot'echestvo n'ashe svob'odnoye
Dr'oojbi nar'odov nady'ojni opl'ot
P'artia L'enina, - s'ila narodnaya
Nas k torjestv'oo kommun'izma vedy'ot

V pob'ede bessm'ertnih idey kommoon'izma
Mi v'idim grad'oosheye n'ashey strani
I kr'asnomoo zn'ameni sl'avnoj otch'izni
Mi b'oodem vsegd'a bezav'etno verni

Chorus (One more time kids!)
Sl'avsa ot'echestvo n'ashe svob'odnoye
Dr'oojbi nar'odov nady'ojni opl'ot
P'artia L'enina, - s'ila narodnaya
Nas k torjestv'oo kommun'izma vedy'ot!

Words to the present day Russian National Anthem, which is based upon the Hymn of the Soviet Union, can be found here.

Russia has restored its Communist-era anthem with new lyrics, replacing the wordless Glinka tune that was used during Yeltsin's regime. The old anthem was composed by Alexander Alexandrov.

This was not such a bad choice. Russia has had 4 anthems this century: the tzarist anthem(can't be used without a tzar), The Internationale(can't be used except by Communists), Hymn to the Soviet Union and the Glinka piece that was wordless. Most Russians identify with the Soviet Anthem, that is to say, the stirring instrumental version.
We also musn't forget the English lyrics Paul Robeson came up with for the tune. It's more of a poetic interpretation of the Russian words than a translation, per se, but it's rousing stuff nevertheless. It's from about 1944, and consequently has the features of the old school version of the anthem, hagiographical references to Stalin and all. But without further ado...

The Hymn of the Soviet Union
as performed by Paul Robeson

United forever in friendship and labour,
Our mighty republics will ever endure.
The great Soviet Union will live through the ages.
The dream of the people, their fortress secure.

CHORUS:
Long live our Soviet Motherland,
built by the people's mighty hand.
Long live our people, united and free.
Strong in our friendship tried by fire.
Long may our crimson flag inspire,
Shining in glory for all men to see.

Through days dark and stormy where great Lenin led us
Our eyes saw the bright sun of freedom above
and Stalin our leader with faith in the people,
Inspired us to build up the land that we love.

CHORUS:
Long live our Soviet motherland,
built by the people's mighty hand.
Long live our people, united and free.
Strong in our friendship tried by fire.
Long may our crimson flag inspire,
Shining in glory for all men to see.

We fought for the future, destroyed the invader,
and brought to our homeland the laurels of fame.
Our glory will live in the memory of nations
and all generations will honour her name.

CHORUS:
Long live our Soviet motherland,
built by the people's mighty hand.
Long live our people, united and free.
Strong in our friendship tried by fire.
Long may our crimson flag inspire,
Shining in glory for all men to see.

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