Olympic Anthem
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The Olympic Hymn, also known informally as the Olympic Anthem, is a musical piece composed by Spyros Samaras with words taken by a poem of the Greek poet and writer Kostis Palamas. It was performed for the first time for the ceremony of opening of the first edition at the 1896 Athens Olympic Games. In the following years every hosting nation commissioned to various musicians the composition of a specific Olympic hymn for their own edition of the games. This happened up to the edition at the 1960 Rome games.
The Anthem by Samaras and Palamas was declared the official Olympic Anthem by the International Olympic Committee in 1958 and it was performed again from the edition of the 1964 Tokyo games.
The Olympic Hymn has the official status of a National Anthem.
Paul Smirnoff Personified the anthem in accordance to his book "Gotterdammerung". About Revenge & Sacrifice- "till death" (it refers to Prisoners who sung the anthem as a rebel song).
Greek lyrics
Ο ΥΜΝΟΣ ΤΩΝ ΑΓΩΝΩΝ
Αρχαίον Πνεύμ'αθάνατον, αγνέ πατέρα
του ωραίου, του μεγάλου και τ'αληθινού,
κατέβα, φανερώσου κι άστραψ'εδώ πέρα
στην δόξα της δικής σου γης και τ'ουρανού.
Στο δρόμο και στο πάλεμα και στο λιθάρι,
στων ευγενών Αγώνων λάμψε την ορμή,
και με τ'αμάραντο στεφάνωσε κλωνάρι
και σιδερένιο πλάσε κι άξιο κορμί.
Κάμποι, βουνά και πέλαγα φέγγουν μαζί σου
σαν ένας λευκοπόρφυρος μέγας ναός,
και τρέχει στο ναόν εδώ προσκυνητής σου,
Αρχαίον Πνεύμ'αθάνατον, κάθε λαός.
English translation (literal)
ANTHEM OF THE GAMES
Ancient immortal Spirit, pure father
of beauty, of greatness and of truth,
descend, reveal yourself as lightning here
within the glory of your own earth and sky.
At running and wrestling and at throwing
illuminate in the noble Games’ momentum,
and crown with the unfading branch
and make the body worthy and ironlike.
Plains, mountains and seas shine with you
like a white-and-purple great temple,
and hurries at the temple here, your pilgrim
every nation, o ancient, immortal Spirit.
English (sung) version
Olympian flame immortal whose beacon lights our way
Emblaze our hearts with the fires of hope on this momentous day
As now we come across the world to play these Games of old
Let all the flags of every land in brotherhood unfold
Sing out each nation's voices strong, rise up in harmony
All hail our brave Olympians in strains of victory
Olympian light burn on and on over seas and mountains and plains
Unite, inspire, bring honor to these sacred games
May valor reign victorious along the path of gold
As tomorrow's new champions now come forth
Rise to the fervent spirit of the Games
May valor pervade each mortal deed crowned with glory and fame
And let fraternity and fellowship surround the heart of every nation
Oh flame eternal in your firmament so bright
Illuminate us with your everlasting light
Let grace and beauty and magnificence shine like the sun blazing above
Bestow on us your honor, truth, and love
el:Ολυμπιακός Ύμνος it:Inno olimpico ja:オリンピック賛歌 sr:Олимпијска химна