"Let the Thunder of Victory Rumble!" was the first national anthem of the Russian Empire from 1791 to 1816. It was written by the Russian poet Gavrila Derzhavin and set to a polonaise tune by Polish Russian composer Józef Kozłowski in 1791. It was translated into English by Alexander F. Beck.
The song was created to commemorate Siege of Izmail of the Ottoman Empire by the Russian general Alexander Suvorov, which ultimately ended the 7th Russo-Turkish War.
In 1816 it was replaced by "Molitva russkih", which was then replaced in 1833 by "God Save the Tsar!".
Lyrics[]
Russian original[]
Original orthography | Reformed orthography | Russian Latin alphabet |
---|---|---|
Громъ побѣды, раздавайся! |
Гром победы, раздавайся! |
Grom pobedy, razdavajsja! |
English version by Alexander F. Beck[]
Triumph's thunder louder, higher!
Russian pride is running high!
Russia's glory sparkles brighter!
We have humbled Muslimmight.
Chorus:
Hail to you for this, oh Catherine!
Gentle mother to us all!
Danube's swiftly flowing waters
Are at last in our firm hands;
Caucasus respects our prowess,
Russia rules Crimean lands.
Turkish-Tatar hordes no longer
May disturb our calm domain.
Proud Selim won't be the stronger
evermore, as Crescent wanes.
Chorus
Groans by Ishmael repeated
'Round the world are heard perforce.
Envy, enmity — defeated! —
Turn to poison at the source.
Make the most of every triumph —
For our foes it's time to see:
Russia reaches farther-higher
Over mountain peaks and seas.
Chorus
Brilliant Empress, gaze at visions,
And behold, a woman great:
In your thoughts and your decisions
As one soul we all partake.
Look at grand cathedrals' splendor,
Contemplate our strength and grace;
See your subjects' hearts surrender
To rejoice before your face!
Chorus
Trivia[]
- There is a novel of the same name written by Russo-Georgian writer Boris Akunin.