Here are the lyrics to the national anthem of Hungary, Himnusz (meaning ‘hymn’ or ‘anthem’ in Hungarian).
Hungary national anthem: lyrics
There are several verses, but you will normally hear just the first verse at ceremonial occasions. It goes:
Isten, áldd meg a magyart
Jó kedvvel, bőséggel,
Nyújts feléje védő kart,
Ha küzd ellenséggel;
Bal sors akit régen tép,
Hozz rá víg esztendőt,
Megbűnhődte már e nép
A múltat s jövendőt!
Hungary national anthem: translation
The lyrics in English are as follows:
O God, bless the nation of Hungary
With your grace and bounty
Extend over it your guarding arm
During strife with its enemies
Long torn by ill fate
Bring upon it a time of relief
This nation has suffered for all sins
Of the past and of the future!
Who wrote the Hungarian national anthem?
The poem that forms the Hungarian national anthem was written by the poet, critic and politician Ferenc Kölcsey in 1823. Then, in 1844, there was a competition for composers to set Kölcsey’s words to music.
The winning melody was by the composer, conductor and pianist Ferenc Erkel, and this version got its first performance in Hungary’s National Theatre (where Erkel served as conductor) in July 1844. By the late 1850s, Himnusz was being regularly peformed at special occasions.
And when did Himnusz become the national anthem?
Himnusz was not officially recognised as the national anthem of Hungary until 1989.