A SONG OF FATHERLAND

Ancient Armenia / Future Armenia

WE are the sons of valiant men, Armenians great and free;
Our grandsires were descended from a hero-ancestry ;
Our fathers brave on Ararat were strong to draw the bow ;
Our Haig, the son of Japhet, laid haughty Nimrod low.
From mountains high, from giants proud, this race of warriors starts.
Then, ardent brothers, let us possess Armenian hearts !

Lift up your eyes unto the heights that pierce the heavens vast,
The land that was the cradle of all nations in the past.
God on free Ararat abides, and raises in the air,
To give us hope, a temple built of seven colors fair.
The hearts of the Armenians with courage to inspire,
He spans the heavens with a wide and wondrous arch of fire.

No nation can survive unless it glows with patriot flame ;
No son of the Armenian race is worthy of his name
Unless to all the virtues of his fathers he aspires.
Then let us, brothers, emulous of our exalted sires, in
Now gird ourselves for usefulness, to serve in word and deed.
To the vain words of foreigners no more let us give heed,
But let the spirit bright of Haig sway all our inward powers.
Then, brothers, ardent brothers, Armenian souls be ours!

Brothers, let hand to hand be pressed, and heart to heart, in love,
And toward one common object together let us move ;
And let the touch of fiery lips unite our minds in one,
While in all hearts a common pulse shall beat in unison !
Let us from tombs and monuments decipher and unfold
The glorious deeds achieved by our immortal sires of old,
To show to all the nations round our ancestors of fame,
And show our ancestors, in us, sons worthy of their name!

To the arena, patriots, go forth and cry, “ Behold,
We are the children of those great Armenians of old !
Through us a new Armenia in splendor shall arise,
And cast away the sombre veil that hid her from men’s eyes.
Armenia, sit no longer mute and hidden in the shade !
Through us among the nations shall thy name be glorious made.
Loyal until our deaths, for thee we'll strive with heart and hand.”
Then, brothers, ardent brothers, long live our native land!

LEO ALISHAN
(1820-1901)