So the anthem of the USSR was pretty awesome, right? I know it makes me want to punch a Nazi in the face, or maybe work really hard in a tractor factory. I especially love the hammer/anvil sounds in the background of the Red Army Chorus version. Man, how awesome would it have been to party with the Red Army Chorus? I bet those guys really threw down, back in the day.

Anyway, the anthem contains a few lyrical gems which seem quaint today, but on the whole I still think it’s really great. I guess Russia’s using a watered-down version of the same song to this day, but instead of awesome lyrics about Lenin and Stalin, and fluttering scarlet banners, they’re singing now about how big their country is, and how it has both costal and arctic regions. They’ve traded in one of the great inspiring national anthems for a cheap knockoff of ‘America, the Beautiful’. Shape up, Russia.

Coming soon: the World Cup of National Anthems!

All current and former national anthems must fight for our amusement! Begin!

First, the anthem of the Former Soviet Union.

• Anthem of the Soviet Union, 1977 version, first verse – sung by children’s choir.
• Anthem of the Soviet Union, 1977 version, all verses – sung by the Red Army Chorus.

English Translation:

Unbreakable Union of freeborn Republics,
Great Russia has welded forever to stand.
Created in struggle by will of the people,
United and mighty, our Soviet land!

CHORUS:

Sing to the Fatherland, home of the free,
Bulwark of peoples in brotherhood strong.
O Party of Lenin, the strength of the people,
To Communism’s triumph lead us on!