Limba noastră

For the Moldovan public holiday on 31st August, see National Language Day

Limba noastră

English: Our Language
National anthem of  Moldova
Lyrics	Alexei Mateevici
Music	Alexandru Cristea
Adopted	1994

"Limba noastră" (Romanian pronunciation: [ˈlimba ˈno̯astrə], meaning "Our Language") has been since 1994 the national anthem of the Republic of Moldova. For a short period before that, the official anthem of the country was Deşteaptă-te, române!, which is also the national anthem of Romania. The lyrics were written by Alexei Mateevici (1888-1917) a month before his death. Mateevici contributed significantly to the national emancipation of Bessarabia. The music for the anthem was composed by Alexandru Cristea (1890-1942).

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 awakening from the sleep of death: "a people suddenly awaken from the sleep of death" and "awaken, Romanian, from the sleep of death", respectively.

National anthem of Moldova

National anthems of Moldova
Deşteaptă-te, române! (1917-1918)
Moldova Sovietică (1945-1991)
Deşteaptă-te, române! (1991-1994)
Limba noastră (1994-present)

The original poem contains four stanzas of twelve verses each. For the anthem, the verses were selected and reorganized in five stanzas of four verses each.

Original		English translation[citation needed]
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 frunză verde, Zbuciumul din codrii veşnici, Nistrul lin, ce-n valuri pierde Ai luceferilor sfeşnici. Limba noastra-i limbă sfîntă, Limba vechilor cazanii, Care-o plîng şi care-o cîntă Pe la vatra lor ţăranii. Răsări-va o comoară În adîncuri înfundată, Un şirag de piatră rară Pe moşie revărsată.		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 the greenest leaf Of the everlasting forests, Gentle river Dniester's ripples Hiding starlight bright and shining. Our language is more than holy, Words of homilies of old Wept and sung perpetually In the homesteads of our folks. A treasure will spring up swiftly From deep shadows of the past, Chain of precious stones that scattered All over our ancient land.

Original Lyrics

Limba noastră is based on a twelve-verse poem. Today, only verses 1, 2, 5, 9, and 12 are used in the national anthem.

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 cântec, Doina dorurilor noastre, Roi de fulgere, ce spintec Nouri negri, zări albastre. Limba noastră-i graiul pâinii, Când de vânt se mişcă vara; In rostirea ei bătrânii 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 plânge-atunci amarnic, Că vi-i limba prea săracă, Şi-ţi vedea, cât îi de darnic Graiul ţării noastre dragă. Limba noastră-i vechi izvoade. Povestiri din alte vremuri; Şi citindu-le 'nşirate, - Te-nfiori adânc şi tremuri. Limba noastră îi aleasă Să ridice slava-n ceruri, Să ne spiue-n hram şi-acasă Veşnicele adevăruri. Limba noastra-i limbă sfântă, Limba vechilor cazanii, Care o plâng şi care o cântă Pe la vatra lor ţăranii. Înviaţi-vă dar graiul, Ruginit de multă vreme, Stergeţi slinul, mucegaiul Al uitării 'n care geme. Strângeţi piatra lucitoare Ce din soare se aprinde - Şi-ţi avea în revărsare Un potop nou de cuvinte. Răsări-va o comoară În adâncuri înfundată, Un şirag de piatră rară Pe moşie revărsată.

A treasure is our tongue that surges From deep shadows of the past, Chain of precious stones that scattered All over our ancient land. A burning flame is our tongue Amidst a people waking From a deathly sleep, no warning, Like the brave man of the stories. Our tongue is made of songs From our soul's deepest desires, Flash of lighting striking swiftly Through dark clouds and blue horizons. Our tongue is the tongue of bread When the winds blow through the summer, Uttered by our forefathers who Blessed the country through their labour. Our tongue is the greenest leaf Of the everlasting forests, Gentle river Dniester'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 tongue is full of legends, Stories from the days of old. Reading one and then another Makes one shudder, tremble and moan. Our tongue is singled out To lift praises up to heaven, Uttering with constant fervour Truths that never cease to beckon. Our tongue 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.

Images

• 

  Romanian language class. The teacher is explaining the lesson. On the blackboard is written a quatrain from the "Limba noastră".

• 

  Moldovan stamp bearing the first verses of the anthem.

• 

  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.

External links

• Wikisource, "Limba noastră", full text of Mateevici's poem (Romanian)
• 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 website of the President of Moldova has a page with information about the anthem. The Romanian version of the page also contains the music score of the anthem.
• "Romanian Nationalism in the Republic of Moldova" by Andrei Panici, American University in Bulgaria, 2002