Hymn to Liberty is a poem written in 1823 by Dionysios Solomos on the Zante Island.

Its music was composed in 1828 by Nikolaos Chalikipoulos-Mantzaros. The poem comprises 158 stanzas, which makes it the longest anthem in the world. It was created during the Greek War of Independence, when the country was occupied by the Ottoman Empire. The words were meant to exalt Greek freedom fighters, as well as all those who were in support of the Greek people’s struggle for liberty and religious freedom. These sacrifices finally paid off, given that, in 1830, Greece, the cradle of our civilisation, became a fully independent State.

Omphale pulling Hercules’ ear
Rubens Pierre Paul - Musée du Louvre, Paris

t was in 1864, after the composer had modified the rhythm, that the work became the Greek national anthem. The first two stanzas are played during official ceremonies, while people stand at attention

PC

I shall always recognise you
by the dreadful sword you hold,
as the earth, with searching vision,
will rule, with spirit bold.

It was the Greeks of old whose dying
brought to birth our spirit free,
now, with ancient valour rising,
let us hail you, oh liberty!

 

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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 !

 

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Se gnorízo apó tin kópsi,
tou spathioú tin tromerí,
Se gnorízo apó tin ópsi,
pou me viá metrái ti yi.

Ap’ ta kókala vgalméni,
ton Ellínon ta ierá,
Ke san próta andrioméni,
hére, o hére, Eleftheriá! (ter)