Vajacki marš

Ваяцкі марш
Vajacki marš

National anthem of Belarusian Democratic Republic
Also known as	"Мы выйдзем шчыльнымі радамі" "My vyjdziem ščylnymi radami"
Lyrics	Makar Kraŭcoŭ, 1919
Music	Uladzimier Teraŭski, 1919
Adopted	1920

Vajacki marš (Cyrillic, Ваяцкі марш, pronounced [vaˈjatski ˈmarʂ], March of the Warriors; also known as My vyjdziem ščylnymi radami (Cyrillic, Мы выйдзем шчыльнымі радамі) "Come, We Shall March in Joint Endeavour") was the National anthem for the short-lived Belarusian Democratic Republic that existed in 1918. Currently the government of the Belarusian Democratic Republic, Rada BNR, exists in exile.

The lyrics of the song were first published in 1919 in Minsk, in the newspaper, Belarus. As the hymn of the Belarusian Democratic Republic, the song was approved in 1920, when the leaders of the republic were already in exile.

During the Soviet occupation of Belarus, the March was banned. However, there were attempts to adapt the lyrics to the communist ideology by replacing mentions of the national Belarusian white-red-white flag with those of the Soviet red banner. Throughout the 20th century, the March was actively used by pro-independence organisations of the Belarusian diaspora.

After the restoration of the independence of Belarus in 1991, there were propositions to make Vajacki marš the state anthem of the Republic of Belarus. In particular, the renowned writers Vasil Bykau, Ales Adamovich and Ryhor Baradulin have issued a public appeal in favour of making Vajacki marš the state anthem of Belarus.^[1] Other symbols of the Belarusian Democratic Republic, the Pahonia and the white red white flag, have then been restored as state symbols.

Today, the Vajacki marš enjoys certain popularity among the Belarusian democratic opposition and is traditionally mentioned as one of possible proposed alternatives to the current official anthem.^[2][3]

Lyrics

Lyrics in Belarusian (Cyrillic) Мы выйдзем шчыльнымі радамі На вольны родны наш прастор. Хай воля вечна будзе з намі, А гвалту мы дамо адпор! Хай аджыве закамянелы Наш беларускі вольны дух; Штандар наш бел-чырвона-белы, Пакрыў сабой народны рух! На бой! За шчасьце і за волю Народу слаўнага свайго! Браты, цярпелі мы даволі. На бой! — усе да аднаго! Імя і сілу беларуса Няхай пачуе й бачыць той, Хто сьмее нам нясьці прымусы I першы выкліча на бой. Браты, да шчасьця мы падходзім: Хай гром грыміць яшчэ мацней! У крывавых муках мы народзім Жыцьцё Рэспублікі сваей! Жыцьцё Рэспублікі сваей!

Lyrics in Belarusian Lacinka My vyjdziem ščylnymi radami Na volny rodny naš prastor. Chaj vola večna budzie z nami, A hvałtu my damo adpor! Chaj adžyve zakamianieły Naš biełaruski vołny duch; Štandar naš bieł-čyrvona-bieły, Pakryj saboj narodny ruch! Na boj! Za ščaście i za volu Narodu słaǔnaha svajho! Braty, ciarpeli my davoli. Na boj! – Usie da adnaho! Imia i siłu biełarusaǔ Niachaj pačuje j bačyć toj, Chto śmieje nam niaści prymusy I pieršy vykliča na boj. Braty, da ščaścia my padchodzim: Chaj hrom hrymić jašče macniej! Ǔ kryvavych mukach my narodzim Žyćcio respubliki svajoj! Žyćcio respubliki svajoj!

English translation by Vera Rich[4] Come, we shall march in joint endeavour Through the free spaces of our native land; May freedom dwell with us forever, And every onslaught we'll withstand. Long live the Belarusian spirit brave, The bold free spirit of our nation! White-red-and-white the banners wave Above our fight for liberation. To arms! May happiness and freedom For our brave people in the fight be won; Too long in torment we were bleeding... To battle, each and everyone! Ah, may the Belarusian name and might Be seen and heard from near and far By all who'd rule us without right, Or first dare challenge us to war. Come, brothers, we march on to fortune, Let thunder roar still louder in its strife! We'll bring to birth from anguished torture For our republic a new life! For our dear country a new life!

References

1. Сяргей Навумчык. Дзевяноста першы. - Радыё Свабодная Эўропа / Радыё Свабода, 2013 - с. 414
2. http://nn.by/?c=ar&i=60220
3. http://nn.by/?c=ar&i=107965
4. http://www.belarus-misc.org/writer/joinm-both.htm