Himnusz

"Himnusz" (Hymn), which starts with the word Isten áldd meg a magyart (God Bless the Hungarians) is a song and the constitutionally mandated national anthem of Hungary. The words were written by Ferenc Kölcsey and the music was composed by Ferenc Erkel. It was adopted in 1844. The first stanza is used for singing at official ceremonies.

The poem and song titled "Szózat", which starts with the words Hazádnak rendületlenül légy híve óh magyar (Be faithful to your homeland steadfastly oh fellow hungarian) enjoys a legal and social status nearly equal to that of "Himnusz" under the Hungarian Constitution.

Further recognition is given to Rákóczi's March, a short wordless piece composed by Berlioz, which is often used for state military purposes.

The below provided english translation of the hungarian national anthem "Himnusz" is NOT exact with regards to meaning! The text of the hungarian anthem is desperate and is outright begging God, which is higly unusual, as such a genre is usually a vehicle for expressing national pride. The music of the hungarian national anthem is said to be among the best in the world.

The tune of the israeli national anthem (called Hatikvah) is significantly influenced by traditional hungarian folk music.

Hungarian lyrics	English translation
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!	O, my God, bless the Magyar With Thy plenty and good cheer! With Thine aid his just cause press, Where his foes to fight appear. Fate, who for so long did’st frown, Bring him happy times and ways; Atoning sorrow hath weighed down Sins of past and future days.
Őseinket felhozád Kárpát szent bércére, Általad nyert szép hazát Bendegúznak vére. S merre zúgnak habjai Tiszának, Dunának, Árpád hős magzatjai Felvirágozának.	By Thy help our fathers gained Kárpát’s proud and sacred height; Here by Thee a home obtained Heirs of Bendegúz, the knight. Where’er Danube’s waters flow And the streams of Tisza swell Árpád’s children, Thou dost know, Flourished and did prosper well.
Értünk Kunság mezein Ért kalászt lengettél, Tokaj szőlővesszein Nektárt csepegtettél. Zászlónk gyakran plántálád Vad török sáncára, S nyögte Mátyás bús hadát Bécsnek büszke vára.	For us let the golden grain Grow upon the fields of Kún, And let Nectar’s silver rain Ripen grapes of Tokay soon. Thou our flags hast planted o’er Forts where once wild Turks held sway; Proud Vienna suffered sore From King Mátyás’ dark array.
Hajh, de bűneink miatt Gyúlt harag kebledben, S elsújtád villámidat Dörgő fellegedben, Most rabló mongol nyilát Zúgattad felettünk, Majd töröktől rabigát Vállainkra vettünk.	But, alas! for our misdeed, Anger rose within Thy breast, And Thy lightnings Thou did’st speed From Thy thundering sky with zest. Now the Mongol arrow flew Over our devoted heads; Or the Turkish yoke we knew, Which a free-born nation dreads.
Hányszor zengett ajkain Ozman vad népének Vert hadunk csonthalmain Győzedelmi ének! Hányszor támadt tenfiad Szép hazám, kebledre, S lettél magzatod miatt Magzatod hamvvedre!	O, how often has the voice Sounded of wild Osman’s hordes, When in songs they did rejoice O’er our heroes’ captured swords! Yea, how often rose Thy sons, My fair land, upon Thy sod, And Thou gavest to these sons, Tombs within the breast they trod!
Bújt az üldözött, s felé Kard nyúlt barlangjában, Szerte nézett s nem lelé Honját e hazában, Bércre hág és völgybe száll, Bú s kétség mellette, Vérözön lábainál, S lángtenger fölette.	Though in caves pursued he lie, Even then he fears attacks. Coming forth the land to spy, Even a home he finds he lacks. Mountain, vale – go where he would, Grief and sorrow all the same – Underneath a sea of blood, While above a sea of flame.
Vár állott, most kőhalom, Kedv s öröm röpkedtek, Halálhörgés, siralom Zajlik már helyettek. S ah, szabadság nem virul A holtnak véréből, Kínzó rabság könnye hull Árvák hő szeméből!	’Neath the fort, a ruin now, Joy and pleasure erst were found, Only groans and sighs, I trow, In its limits now abound. But no freedom’s flowers return From the spilt blood of the dead, And the tears of slavery burn, Which the eyes of orphans shed.
Szánd meg Isten a magyart Kit vészek hányának, Nyújts feléje védő kart Tengerén kínjának. Bal sors akit régen tép, Hozz rá víg esztendőt, Megbűnhődte már e nép A múltat s jövendőt! Written by: FERENC KÖLCSEY (1823)	Pity, God, the Magyar, then, Long by waves of danger tossed; Help him by Thy strong hand when He on grief’s sea may be lost. Fate, who for so long did’st frown, Bring him happy times and ways; Atoning sorrow hath weighed down All the sins of all his days. Translated by: WILLIAM N. LOEW (1881)

External links

• MIDI File
• Music sheets: [1] [2] [3] [4]
• Other link: [5]