Deșteaptă te, române!

History of the anthem

The melody was originally a sentimental song called "Din sânul maicii mele" composed by Anton Pann after hearing the poem "Adio. La Târgoviște" by Grigore Alexandrescu. In 1848, Andrei Mureșanu wrote the poem "Un răsunet", and asked Gheorghe Ucenescu, a Scheii Brașovului Church singer, to find him a suitable melody. After Ucenescu sang him several lay melodies, Mureșanu chose Anton Pann's song. Pann's song was published in a booklet called "Spitalul amorului sau cântătorul dorului" in 1852.

First sung during the uprisings of 1848, "Deșteaptă-te române" has endured as a favorite song and seen play during various historical events, including as part of Romania's declaration of independence from the Ottoman Empire during the Russo-Turkish War (1877-78), and during the first world war. The song received particularly heavy radio broadcast in the days following the state coup of August 23, 1944, when Romania switched sides, turning against Nazi Germany and joining the Allies side in the war.

After the seizure of power by the communists on December 30, 1947, "Deșteaptă-te române" and other patriotic songs closely associated with the previous regime were outlawed. Ceaușescu's government permitted the song to be played and sung in public, but it was not given state recognition as the national anthem.

The overall message of the anthem is a "call to action"; it proposes a "now or never" urge for change present in many national anthems like the French revolutionary Marseillaise. This is the reason why Nicolae Bălcescu called it the "Romanian Marseillaise".

Another anthem

Besides this anthem, the Romanians also have "Hora Unirii" ("The Unity Hora (dance)"), written in 1855 by the poet Vasile Alecsandri (1821–1890), which was sung a great deal on the occasion of the Union of the Principalities (1859) and on all occasions when the Romanians aspired to union and harmony among themselves. "Hora Unirii" is sung on the Romanian folk tune of a slow but energetic round dance joined by the whole attendance. The round dance (hora) is itself an ancient ritual, symbolizing spiritual communion, equality and the Romanians' wish for a common life.

Original verses in Romanian

Romania's national anthem has eleven stanzas, although only the 1st, 2nd, 4th, and 11th are sung on official occasions, as established by Romanian law. At major events, such as the National Holiday, the full version is sung, accompanied by 21 gun salute when the President is present at the event.

Other translations

Note that, in accordance with Romanian law, there are no official translations of the anthem.

A more poetic translation

1

Awaken thee, Romanian, wake up from deadly slumberThe scourge of inauspicious barbarian tyranniesAnd now or never to a bright horizon clamberThat shall to shame put all your enemies.

2

It's now or never that we prove to the worldThat in these veins still flows Roman bloodAnd in our hearts for ever we glorify a nameTriumphant in battles, the name of Trajan.

4

Behold, imperial shadows, Michael, Stephen, CorvinusAt the Romanian nation, your mighty progenyWith arms like steel and hearts of fire impetuous"Live in liberty, or die" that's what they all decree.

11

Priests, raise the cross, as this army is ChristianGive it liberty and it's sanctified scopeWe'd rather die in battle, with honorary gloryThan live again enslaved on our ancestral land.

Alternative translation

1

Romanian, awaken your Spirit from the sleep of DeathImpressed upon you by Tyrannies of barbarians;Now or never, fashion a new destiny,Stronger than your foes', a fate for them to bow to.

2

Now or never, our legacy prove to all,That through our veins still flows the Blood of Ancient RomeThat in our chests we proudly hail a Name,Triumphant in battle, the Name of Trajan.

3

Raise your strong brow and gaze around youAs trees stand in a forest, brave youths, a hundred thousandAn order they await, ready to pounce, as wolves among the sheepOld men, and young, from mountains high and open plains.

4

Gaze mightily, glorious shadows, Michael, Stephen, CorvineThe Romanian nation, your descendants,With weapons in their hands, with your Fire burning"Life in Liberty or Death", all shout together.

5

You were vanquished by the evils of envyBy the blind disunity at the Milcov and CarpathiansBut we, our Spirit touched by saintly Liberty,Swear allegiance, to be forever Brothers.

6

A widowed mother from the time of Michael the GreatAsks of her sons a helping hand todayAnd curses, with tears in her eyes, whosoeverIn times of such great danger, proves to be a traitor.

7

May lightning bolts, thunder and brimstone killWhoever retreats from the glorious battleWhen motherland or mother, with a tender heart,Will ask us to pass through sword and flame.

8

Is not enough the yatagan of the barbaric crescentWhose fatal wounds we feel burning today;Now, the knout intrudes on our ancestral lands,But with God as witness, we will fight it to the Death

9

Is not enough the despotism and its unseeing eyeWhich for centuries enslaved us, as cattle?Now, attempt the cruel, in their blind haughtiness,To steal our Language, but we will fight them to the Death

10

Romanians of the four corners, now or never,Be United in your Thoughts, United in your FeelingsShout out to the world that the Danube is stolenThrough intrigue and coercion, malicious plots.

11

Priests, with the Cross before you, as the army is Christian,The motto is Liberty and its goal eternalBetter dead in battle, in full gloryThan be enslaved again in our ancestral homeland.