Genre Patriotic Composer(s) Yaroslav Yaroslavenko | Writer(s) Mykola Voronyi Language Ukrainian | |
"Za Ukrainu" (Ukrainian: За Україну, or "For Ukraine") is a Ukrainian patriotic song. In 1991 was a candidate to be adopted as the anthem of Ukraine.
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Background
The song was written by a prominent Ukrainian poet, civil activist, politician, and one of the founders of the Central Rada Mykola Voronyi. Ironically, Voronyi being from a former serf-peasant family was eventually murdered by the Soviet regime as a socially dangerous element. Later posthumously he was rehabilitated by the Kirovohrad Oblast Court.
The music to the Vorony's lyric was written by Yaroslav Yaroslavenko, a Ukrainian composer and conductor from Lviv.
The song later in the beginning of 1990's was popularized by the Ukrainian folk-band Sokoly led by Ivan Matsyalko from Lviv Oblast. The song also is considered as the alternative Ukrainian anthem, unofficially. It was popular among the Ukrainian Army in the struggle against the Soviets.
pre-2003 lyrics
The lyrics of the song is somewhat of a revolutionary theme.