Ode to Freedom

Ode to Freedom (Greek: Ύμνος εις την Ελευθερίαν) is the national anthem of Cyprus. Written by Dionysios Solomós as a poem in 1823 and composed by Nikolaos Mantzaros in 1828, it was declared upon independence in 1960. The complete version has 158 stanzas.

Greek Lyrics Σε γνωρίζω από την κόψη
του σπαθιού την τρομερή,
σε γνωρίζω από την όψη
που με βία μετράει τη γη.

Απ' τα κόκαλα βγαλμένη
των Ελλήνων τα ιερά,
και σαν πρώτα ανδρειωμένη,
χαίρε, ω χαίρε, Ελευθεριά!
(repeat previous two lines three times)

English Translation

I shall always recognise you
By the dreadful sword you hold,
As the earth, with searching vision,
You survey, with spirit bold.

'Twas the Greeks of old whose dying
Brought to birth our spirit free.
Now, with ancient valour rising,
Let us hail you, oh Liberty!
(repeat previous two lines three times)

External Links

• Music sheet with full lyrics (http://home.planet.nl/~jschoone/gr.png)
• Midi File (http://www.copsrus.com/anthems/cyprus.mid)