Mer Hayrenik

Composition The lyrics of "Our Fatherland" were derived from "The Song of an Italian Girl" ( ), a poem written by Mikael Nalbandian in 1859 and published in 1861. In the early 20th century, Soviet era In November 1920, the Red Army invaded Armenia, in spite of the Treaty of Sèvres – which granted the country international recognition as a sovereign state – having been signed only three months earlier. In 1922, it was absorbed into the Transcaucasian Socialist Federative Soviet Republic (TSFSR), together with Azerbaijan and Georgia, and the TSFSR subsequently became part of the Soviet Union at the end of that same year. As a symbol of Armenian nationalism, the song "Our Fatherland" was outlawed by the Bolshevik authorities. Because of this, "Our Fatherland" took on a new status as a protest song against Soviet rule during this time. The lyrics are not identical to the 1918 version, however, because several words have been modified. As an intrinsic element of civic education in Armenia, the anthem is one of several national symbols which are featured in classrooms of the country's schools. By dignifying the song in this manner, teachers reckon that this "encourage[s] students to sing the national anthem every day". A debate of the national anthem was a question in the Armenian Parliament in 2006 and in 2019. The new government had called for the restoration of the Soviet era anthem with newer lyrics in its place. The Italian violist Marco Misciagna composed the "Introduction and Variations on Mer Hayrenik” for viola solo, and in 2018, he played it during a concert at the Komitas Chamber Music House. In 2025, changes were made to the law on the anthem: the order of the hymn's stanzas was changed: the second stanza became the third, the third became the fourth, and the fourth became the second. ==Lyrics==

The lyrics of the national anthem promotes the worthiness of "dying for the freedom" of Armenia. Its discussion of death, however, has led several commentators to complain that the anthem is overly "wimpy" and "gloomy". Specifically, some members of the National Assembly are of the opinion that the song – written at the time of the first fight for independence – does not accurately reflect the present era of triumph and success. However, none of the proposals to replace "Our Fatherland" have come to fruition, as the Armenian Revolutionary Federation (Dashnaktsutyun) – which were part of the coalition government Current version That has lived for centuries, 𝄆 Is now summoning its sons To the free, independent Armenia. 𝄇 Death is the same everywhere, A man dies but once, 𝄆 Blessed is the one who dies For the freedom of his nation. 𝄇 Here is a flag for you my brother, That I have sewed 𝄆 Over the sleepless nights, And bathed in my tears. 𝄇 Look at it, tricoloured, A valuable symbol for us. 𝄆 Let it shine against the enemy. Let Armenia be glorious forever. 𝄇 Original version The national anthem is based on the first, third, fourth and sixth stanzas of Nalbandian's poem "The Song of an Italian Girl". The original text uses Classical spelling, which preceded the Armenian orthography reform. Downtrodden by our foes, Her sons now calleth, Ready for revenge, spite and grudge. Behold, brother, a flag for thee, That I've sewn with my own hands, During the sleepness nights, Bathed in my tears. Look at it, tricolored, Our symbol cherished, Let it shine against the foe, Let you, Armenia, be glorious forever. Death is the same everywhere, Man who dieth but even once. Blessed is the one who dieth For the freedom of his land. ==In popular culture==

The title of the national anthem is used as the name of a television channel for Armenian expatriates residing in Russia. Mer Hayrenik TV is based in the city of Novosibirsk, the administrative centre of both Novosibirsk Oblast and the Siberian Federal District. ==Notes==