NATIONAL
ANTHEM


Greek Anthem Lyrics Ode to Freedom

I recognize you
by the dreadful edge
of your sword.
I recognize your face,
forcibly staring at the land.

From the sacred graves
of the slain Greeks
You rise, valiant again.
Hail, Oh Hail, Liberty!



The Greek Anthem is based on the "Hymn to the Freedom", a large - 158 stanza (strophes) - poem written by Dionysios Solomos, a distinguished poet from Zakynthos Island. The poem was inspired by the Greek Revolution of 1821 against the Ottoman Empire. During 1828 the eminent musician from Kerkyra Island Nicolaos Mantzaros composed the music for the Solomos' Hymn.The unusual - for an Anthem - 6/4 tempo of the Mantzaros music points clearly to the most manly traditional dance of the Greeks - Tsamiko.
  Hellenic Association
  created by Herodotos Herodotou, hero1@umbc.edu
  last modified:

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