Like most national anthems, the Ukraine national anthem is rooted in history. Also, not unlike most National anthems, these songs embody the hopes and goals of the countries they revere. Here is a quick look at the Ukraine national anthem and just exactly what it means to Ukraine and its people.
Ukraine is not yet dead, nor its glory and freedom,
Luck will still smile on us brother-Ukrainians.
Our enemies will die, as the dew does in the sunshine,
and we, too, brothers, we'll live happily in our land.
Chorus:
We’ll not spare either our souls or bodies to get freedom
and we’ll prove that we brothers are of Kozak kin.
In their native tongue, the Ukraine national anthem is called "‘Shche ne vmerla Ukrainas," and is simply translated as "Ukraine Has Not Yet Perished." Also formally referred to as the national anthem of Ukraine, this song was officially made the country's anthem in 1992.
While very patriotic in its message, the Ukraine national anthem is also one of the shortest songs to be claimed as a national anthem, with only one chorus and one verse. Within those short verses, however, much is said.
The music of Ukraine's national anthem comes from composer and priest Mykhailo Verbytsky. The words of the anthem, which were somewhat modified, originated from a patriotic poem written by Pavlo Chubynsky.
##The Message of the Ukraine National Anthem Two primary and powerful messages come through in the message of Ukraine's national anthem. The song undoubtedly promotes the themes of solidarity and brotherhood. That solidarity can be heard in the repeated expressions of "we" and runs throughout this short anthem.
The chorus and its closing line also reinforce the idea that there is a sacred kinship the binds the citizens. Those ideas firmly resonate in the final verse of chorus, "...we’ll prove that we brothers are of Kozak kin." This verse refers to a Ukrainian folkloric hero, (Americans might want to imagine the hero in the 1995 movie Braveheart starring Mel Gibson).
It is also hard to overlook the theme of hope and glory that runs throughout the anthem. A proud people, Ukrainians are known for their devout patriotism and abject loyalty to country and kin. Although its National anthem is very young compared to many others, it is a nation that is steeped in history and that has played a major role in the world.And as the citizens of Ukraine will proudly sing, and as the last line of its only verse declares, "and we, too, brothers, we'll live happily in our land."