The Sacred War
"Svyashchennaya Voyna" (The Sacred War) is one of the most famous Soviet songs of World War II. Written by Vasily Lebedev-Kumach with music by Alexander Alexandrov, it was first performed on June 26, 1941 — just four days after the German invasion of the Soviet Union. It became the anthem of the Soviet defence of the Motherland and was broadcast every morning on Soviet radio throughout the war.
- Video
- Lyrics
Вставай, страна огромная,
Vstavay, strana ogromnaya,
(Arise, great country,)Вставай на смертный бой
Vstavay na smertnyy boy
(Arise for the deadly fight)С фашистской силой тёмною,
S fashistskoy siloyu tyomnoyu,
(Against the dark fascist force,)С проклятою ордой!
S proklyatoyu ordoy!
(Against the cursed horde!)Пусть ярость благородная
Pust' yarost' blagorodnaya
(Let noble fury)Вскипает, как волна, —
Vskipayet, kak volna, —
(Boil up like a wave, —)Идёт война народная,
Idyot voyna narodnaya,
(The people's war is coming,)Священная война!
Svyashchennaya voyna!
(The sacred war!)