Tuesday, March 2, 2010

Czech National Anthem

The Czech national anthem is the first verse of the song "Kde domov můj". It was written by František Škroup (words) & Josef Kajetán Tyl (music) for the opera "Fidlovačka" in 1834.

Back then, the Czechs were only an ethnic minority in the German-speaking Austro-Hungarian Empire. However, when an independent Czechoslovakia was established in 1918 the song was chosen as the first part of the new country's anthem. "Storm over the Tatras" is a Slovak song that made up the second part.

When Czechoslovakia split up in 1992, the Slovak part was dropped and "Kde domov můj" became the national anthem of the Czech Republic.

For those that didn't get to hear the Czech anthem play, when Martina Sáblíková won two Olympic gold medals in Vancouver, then here it is.

Kde domov můj, kde domov můj?
Voda hučí po lučinách,
bory šumí po skalinách,
v sadě skví se jara květ,
zemský ráj to na pohled!
A to je ta krásná země,
země česká domov můj,
země česká domov můj!

Where is my home, where is my home?
Water roars across the meadows,
Pinewoods rustle among crags,
The garden is glorious with spring blossom,
Paradise on earth it is to see.
And this is that beautiful land,
The Czech land, my home,
The Czech land, my home.

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