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Greek National Anthem

The Guiness Book of World Records lists the Greek anthem as the longest anthem, at 158 stanzas, however it is usually the first stanza or so presented as the national anthem.

The Greek Anthem is based on the "Hymn to the Freedom", a large--158 verses--poem written by Dionysios Solomos, a distinguished poet from Zakynthos Island. It was inspired by the Greek Revolution of 1821 against the Ottoman Empire. During 1828, the eminent musician from Kerkyra Island Nikolaos Mantzaros composed the music for Solomos' hymn. Although King Othon (Otto) decorated both of them for their work (1845 and 1849), he did not replace the Royal Anthem of that time with the Solomos/Mantzaros hymn. The anthem was a musical derivative from the German one, with a text glorifying Othon and his dynasty. After the overthrow of the dynasty, the new King George I and the Greek establishment decided to look for a clearly Greek work, both with respect to the poetry and the music. The "Hymn to the Freedom" was readily there--extremely popular since the Revolution times, often recited or sung during patriotic meetings and celebrations.

Listen to the Greek National Anthem here.

In Greek

Latin Translation

Se gnorizo apo tin kopsi,
Tou spathiou tin tromeri,
Se gnorizo apo tin opsi,
Pou me via metra tin yi.
Ap' ta kokala vgalmeni,
Ton Ellinon ta iera,
Ke san prota andriomeni,
Haire, o haire, Eleftheria!
(repeat previous two lines three times)

English Translation

I recognize you
by the dreadful edge
of Your sword.
I recognize Your face,
forcibly staring at the land.

From the sacred graves
of the slain Greeks
You rise, valiant again.
Hail, Oh Hail, Liberty!

(repeat previous two lines three times)