The focus of Limba noastră, written in a romantic style, is the national language. It calls for the people to revive the usage of their native language. The poem does not make a named reference to the language; it is only called poetically "our language".
Limba noastră, like Deşteaptă-te, române!, makes reference to the romantic nationalist theme "awake from the sleep of death".[citation needed]
The lyrics were written by Alexei Mateevici (1888-1917), who contributed significantly to the national emancipation of Bessarabia. The music was composed by Alexandru Cristea (1890-1942). The original poem contains twelve stanzas, five of which have been kept for the anthem. These are marked in bold.
Romanian language class. The teacher is explaining the lesson. On the blackboard is written a quatrain from the "Limba noastră"Mateevici, author of the poem. In the background are written quatrains from the "Limba noastră"A "Limba noastră" social ad in Chişinău, with the word "Română" sprayed onto it
Limba noastră-i o comoară
În adîncuri înfundată
Un şirag de piatră rară
Pe moşie revărsată.
Limba noastră-i foc ce arde
Într-un neam, ce fără veste
S-a trezit din somn de moarte
Ca viteazul din poveste.
Limba noastră-i numai cîntec,
Doina dorurilor noastre,
Roi de fulgere, ce spintec
Nouri negri, zări albastre.
Limba noastră-i graiul pîinii,
Cînd de vînt se mişcă vara;
In rostirea ei bătrînii
Cu sudori sfinţit-au ţara.
Limba noastră-i frunză verde,
Zbuciumul din codrii veşnici,
Nistrul lin, ce-n valuri pierde
Ai luceferilor sfeşnici.
Nu veţi plînge-atunci amarnic,
Că vi-i limba prea săracă,
Şi-ţi vedea, cît îi de darnic
Graiul ţării noastre dragă.
Limba noastră-i vechi izvoade.
Povestiri din alte vremuri;
Şi citindu-le 'nşirate, -
Te-nfiori adînc şi tremuri.
Limba noastră îi aleasă
Să ridice slava-n ceruri,
Să ne spuie-n hram şi-acasă
Veşnicele adevăruri.
Limba noastra-i limbă sfîntă,
Limba vechilor cazanii,
Care-o plîng şi care-o cîntă
Pe la vatra lor ţăranii.
Înviaţi-vă dar graiul,
Ruginit de multă vreme,
Stergeţi slinul, mucegaiul
Al uitării 'n care geme.
Strîngeţi piatra lucitoare
Ce din soare se aprinde -
Şi-ţi avea în revărsare
Un potop nou de cuvinte.
Răsări-va o comoară
În adîncuri înfundată,
Un şirag de piatră rară
Pe moşie revărsată.
English translation
A treasure is our language that surges
From deep shadows of the past,
Chain of precious stones that scattered
All over our ancient land.
A burning flame is our language
Amidst a people waking
From a deathly sleep, no warning,
Like the brave man of the stories.
Our language is made of songs
From our soul's deepest desires,
Flash of lighting striking swiftly
Through dark clouds and blue horizons.
Our language is the language of bread
When the winds blow through the summer,
Uttered by our forefathers who
Blessed the country through their labour.
Our language is the greenest leaf
Of the everlasting forests,
Gentle river Nistru's ripples
Hiding starlight bright and shining.
Utter no more bitter cries now
That your language is too poor,
And you will see with what abundance
Flow the words of our precious country.
Our language is full of legends,
Stories from the days of old.
Reading one and then another
Makes one shudder, tremble and moan.
Our language is singled out
To lift praises up to heaven,
Uttering with constant fervour
Truths that never cease to beckon.
Our language is more than holy,
Words of homilies of old
Wept and sung perpetually
In the homesteads of our folks.
Resurrect now this our language,
Rusted through the years that have passed,
Wipe off filth and mould that gathered
When forgotten through our land.
Gather now the sparkling stone,
Catching bright light from the sun.
You will see the endless flooding
Of new words that overflow.
A treasure will spring up swiftly
From deep shadows of the past,
Chain of precious stones that scattered
All over our ancient land.
External links
State Symbols of the Republic of Moldova - The official page of the Republic of Moldova features a page about the flag and anthem, which include vocal and instrumental versions
President's House - The official page of the President of Moldova has a page with information about the anthem.
Moldova
