Editor's Note: Olena Boltushkina of Kyiv, a communications professional and translator who studied journalism at Kyiv International University, created a YouTube video in which she and friends sing Ukraine's national anthem in English. Boltuskina, who worked at korrespondent.net from 2002-2005, is from Zhytomir. While she is not a professional singer, she enjoys the activity.
Ukraine’s national anthem, sung in English
Here is Boltushkina’s Facebook page post that accompanied the video:
“Dear World,
I thought that you would like to understand the words that Ukrainians sing in a million voices nearly every hour for almost four months in a row. The words that keep us strong and united in our fight for the better future.
So me and my friends translated these words into English and sang for you. We tried to communicate all the senses and finest meanings, as well as to preserve the original poem’s beauty and specific melodious quality of a Ukrainian song. I hope we did it. Proud to present — the National Anthem of Ukraine. Feel free to sing with us, so we could feel your support. (Very special thanks to Anastasiya Ledovskykh, Володимир Пантелюк, Ivanova Dasha,виктория прищепова, Анастасия Черкис, Николай Шумыгора, Lesia Didkovska,Nastka Fedchenko, Andrii Piasetskyi, Kate Ksiondzyk, Kateryna Khoptynska).”
National Anthem of Ukraine in English
Glorious spirit of Ukraine shines and lives forever.
Blessed by Fortune brotherhood will stand up together.
Like the dew before the sun enemies will fade,
We will further rule and prosper in our promised land.
We will lay our soul and body for the cherished freedom.
Cossack blood will raise the nation of the joyous people.
For the liberty the folk strives ardently from San to Don,
And will let no alien power in our common home.
Aged Dnieper and Black Sea arm in arm rejoice,
And Ukraine will see daylight and live by Fortune’s choice.
We will lay our soul and body for the cherished freedom.
Cossack blood will raise the nation of the joyous people.
Passion and hard-working hands prove bright future true.
Song of freedom, loud and clear, guides us all way through.
Over mountains and steppes it flows, over ages told.
Valorous Ukraine stands strong in a thriving world.
We will lay our soul and body for the cherished freedom.
Cossack blood will raise the nation of the joyous people.
