Gol-e-Golab was inspired to write the song by patriotism. He has been quoted to have said: "In 1944, the footsteps of the invading armies in the streets were enough to rattle any patriot and inspired me to write this anthem. Professor Ruhollâh Kâleqi wrote the music and despite all the political opposition, it found its way into the heart and soul of the people."
"Ey Irân" is sometimes mistaken for being the former Iranian national anthem. It was always used as the unofficially National Anthem since it was released from 1944 people never liked the official National Anthems. Though the National Anthem in the Shah times was recognized but people still liked Ey Iran more.
Today Iranian opposition groups both inside and outside of Iran do not recognise the current official anthem of the Islamic Republic of Iran as the "national anthem" and in all gatherings and ceremonies use "Ey Irân" anthem.
For decades many groups and singers have performed "Ey Irân". Among the most popular renditions is a 1991 version arranged for voice, choir and orchestra by Golnuš Xāleqi, daughter of Rowhollāh Xāleqi. In this version the vocal soloist was Rashid Vatandust and Esfandiar Gharabaghi.
١
ای ایران ای مرز پرگهر
ای خاکت سرچشمه هنر
دور از تو اندیشه بدان
پاینده مانی تو جاودان
ای دشمن ار تو سنگ خارهای من آهنم
جان من فدای خاک پاک میهنم
:برگردان
مهر تو چون شد پیشهام
دور از تو نیست اندیشهام
در راه تو کی ارزشی دارد این جان ما
پاینده باد خاک ایران ما
٢
سنگ کوهت در و گوهر است
خاک دشتت بهتر از زر است
مهرت از دل کی برون کنم
برگو بیمهر تو چون کنم
تا گردش جهان و دور آسمان به پاست
نور ایزدی همیشه رهنمای ماست
برگردان
٣
ایران ای خرم بهشت من
روشن از تو سرنوشت من
گر آتش بارد به پیکرم
جز مهرت در دل نپرورم
از آب و خاک و مهر تو سرشته شد گلم
مهر اگر برون رود تهی شود دلم
برگردان
I
Ey Irân ey marze por gohar
Ey xâkat sarcešmeye honar
Dur az to andišeye badân
Pâyande mâni to jâvedân
Ey došman ar to sange xâreyi, man âhanam
Jâne man fadâye xâke pâke mihanam
Bargardân: Mehre to con šod pišeam Dur az to nist andišeam Dar râhe to key arzeši dârad in jâne mâ Pâyande bâd xâke Irâne mâ
II
Sange kuhat dorro gohar ast
Xâke daštat behtar az zarast
Mehrat az del key borun konam
Bargu bimehre to cun konam
Tâ gardeše jahâno dowre âsemân bepâst
Nure izadi hamiše rahnamâye mâst
Bargardân
III
Irân ey xorram behešte man
Rowšan az to sarnevešte man
Gar âtaš bârad be peykaram
Joz mehrat dar del naparvaram
Az âbo xâko mehre to serešte šod gelam
Mehr agar borun ravad tohi šavad delam
Bargardân
1
[ej iːɾɒːn ej mæɾze poɾ ɡohæɾ]
[ej xɒːkæt sæɾtʃeʃmeje honæɾ]
[duːɾ æz to ændiːʃeje bædɒːn]
[pɒːjænde mɒːniː to dʒɒːvedɒːn]
[ej doʃmæn æɾ to sæŋɡe xɒːɾejiː | mæn ɒːhænæm]
[dʒɒːne mæn fædɒːje xɒːke pɒːke miːhænæm]
[bæɾgæɾdɒːn]
[mehɾe to tʃon ʃod piːʃeæm]
[duːɾ æz to niːst ændiːʃeæm]
[dæɾ rɒːhe to kej æɾzeʃiː dɒːɾæd iːn dʒɒːne mɒː]
[pɒːjænde bɒːd xɒːke iːɾɒːne mɒː]
O Iran, o bejeweled land
O, your soil is the wellspring of virtues
Far from you may the thoughts of evil be
May you remain lasting and eternal
O enemy, if you are of stone, I am of iron
May my life be sacrificed for the pure soil of my motherland
Chorus: Since your love became my calling My thoughts are never far from you In your cause, when do our lives have value? May the land of our Iran be eternal.
The stones of your mountains are jewels and pearls
The soil of your valleys are better than gold
When could I rid my heart of your affection?
Tell me, what will I do without your affection?
As long as the turning of the earth and the cycling of the sky lasts
The light of the Divine will always guide us
Chorus
Iran, o my green paradise
Bright is my fate because of you
If fire rains on my body
Other than your love I will not cherish in my heart
Your water, soil and love molded my clay
If your love leaves my heart it will become barren
Chorus
O Iran, the land of gems abound
Thy soil nurtures artisans aplenty
Far be from you the foes’ intentions
May you remain permanent and eternal
O enemy, if you’re made of rock, I'm made of iron
My life I sacrifice for the noble soil of my land
Chorus:
Thy love has become my preoccupation
My thoughts are never far from you
For thee my life is not worthy
May the land of Iran be eternal
Thy mountains are made of gems and jewels
The soil of thy fields better than gold
Tell me what to do without your love
If ever I exclude it from my heart
While the universe and the heavens revolve
The light of Yazdan will forever brighten our path
Chorus
Iran my beautiful paradise
Bright is my destiny because of you
Even if fire rains on my body
Only your love I’ll flourish in my heart
I am made of thy love, water and earth
Should love leave, earthen will become my heart