The "State Anthem of the Byelorussian SSR"[a] was the regional anthem of the Byelorussian SSR, a republic of the Soviet Union. It was used from 1952 to 1991.
It took 11 years to create lyrics for it,[1] even producing a version that mentions then-Soviet leader Joseph Stalin.[2] The music was composed by Nestar Sakalowski, and the lyrics were written by Mikhas' Klimkovich.
In 1991, when the Byelorussian SSR became independent from Soviet rule as Belarus, it retained the Soviet-era regional anthem as its national one, albeit without lyrics until 2002, when new lyrics were created (this version is still in use today).
On 3 February 1944, the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR issued a decree "On the State Anthems of the Soviet Republics". The Azerbaijan SSR and the Armenian SSR responded by instituting anthems by their most prominent composers, while the Lithuanian SSR reverted to its old anthem, "Tautiška giesmė".
Lyrics[]
The lyrics on a poster containing the state symbols of the Byelorussian SSR.
1956–1991 version[]
Belarusian
IPA transcription
English translation
Мы, Беларусы, з братняю Руссю,
Разам шукалі к шчасцю дарог.
Ў бітвах за волю, ў бітвах за долю
З ёй здабылі мы сцяг перамог!
Прыпеў: Нас аб’яднала Леніна імя, Партыя к шчасцю вядзе нас ў паход.
(×2) Партыі слава! Слава Радзіме! Слава табе, Беларускі народ!
Сілы гартуе, люд Беларусі,
Ў братнім саюзе, ў мужнай сям’і.
Вечна мы будзем, вольныя людзі,
Жыць на шчаслівай, вольнай зямлі!
Прыпеў
Дружба народаў – сіла народаў,
К шчасцю працоўных сонечны шлях.
Горда ж узвіся ў светлыя высі,
Сцяг камунізму – радасці сцяг!
We Belarusians, together with fraternal Rus',
Looked for roads to fortune.
in struggles for freedom, in struggles for fate.
We have gained our banner of victories!
Chorus: We were united by Lenin's name, The party, fortunately, leads us on a campaign.
(×2) Glory to the Party! Glory to the Motherland! Glory to you, Belarusian people!
Gathering strength, the people of Belarus
In a fraternal union, in a powerful family
Forever we shall, free men
Live in a happy, and free land!
Chorus
The friendship of peoples – the strength of peoples,
To happiness sunny path.
Proudly we raise to sky heights,
The flag of Communism – the flag of joy!
Chorus
1952–1953 version[]
Belarusian
IPA transcription
English translation
Мы, Беларусы, з братняю Руссю,
Разам шукалі к долі дарог.
Ў бітвах за волю, ў бітвах за долю
Мы здабылі з ёй сцяг перамог!
Прыпеў: Нас аб’яднала Леніна імя, Сталін павёў нас к шчасцю ў паход.
(×2) Слава Саветам! Слава Радзіме! Слава табе, Беларускі народ!
Ў слаўным саюзе люд Беларусі
Вырас, як волат нашых былін.
Вечна мы будзем вольныя людзі,
Жыць на шчаслівай, вольнай зямлі!
Прыпеў
Дружбай народаў мы назаўсёды,
Нашы граніцы ў сталь закуём.
Ворагаў хмары грозным ударам,
З нашых прастораў прэч мы змяцём!
We Belarusians, with brotherly Rus’,
Together looking the roads to the share.
In struggles for freedom, in struggles for fate,
We have found our banner of victories.
Chorus: We are united by Lenin's name, Stalin led us happily on a campaign.
(×2) Glory to the Soviets! Glory to the Motherland! Glory to you, Belarusian people!
In the glorious union the people of Belarus
Grew up as the heroes of our epics.
Forever we will be free people,
To live on a happy, free land!
Chorus
Friendship of peoples is what we stand for
Our steel borders are what we'll defend.
Clouds blow over our formidable enemies,
We will sweep away from our own lands!
Chorus
Notes[]
^Belarusian: Дзяржаўны гімн Беларускай Савецкай Сацыялiстычнай Рэспублікі, Łacinka: Dziaržawny himn Biełaruskaj Savieckaj Sacyjalistyčnaj Respubliki