"Lijepa naša domovino" (Croatian:[ljêːpanâʃadomǒʋiːno]; lit.'Our Beautiful Homeland') is the national anthem of Croatia. Often simply referred to as "Lijepa naša" ('Our Beautiful') in Croatia, it is a phrase widely used as a metonym for the country.[1]
The original lyrics were written by Antun Mihanović and first published under the title "Horvatska domovina" ('Croatian Homeland') in 1835.[2] In 1846, Josip Runjanin (1821–1878) composed the music for "Horvatska domovina".[2] Runjanin's army bandmaster Josip Wendl adapted his music for a military brass orchestra.[2] The original form of the melody is unknown because the original has not been recovered to this day.[3]
The song was scored and harmonized for a male choir by a teacher and organist of the Zagreb CathedralVatroslav Lichtenegger in 1861, and after that it started to be performed as the Croats' ethnic anthem.[2][4] The title "Lijepa naša" has been applied since that time. The original text has 14 verses. Since then, a few minor adjustments have been made to the lyrics.[3]
The song was not immediately adopted by the Croatian Parliament as the national anthem. In 1907, the Association of Croatian Singing Clubs requested the parliament to do so but received no response, even though the song was used as the state anthem in unofficial capacity at ceremonies, including the 29 October 1918 session of parliament when Croatia formally dissolved its ties with Austria-Hungary.[3]
The song officially became the state anthem of Croatia through amendments of the Constitution of Croatia adopted by the parliament of the SR Croatia on 29 February 1972. It was confirmed by constitutions of 1974 and 1990, when its lyrics were slightly modified, and by the Coat of Arms, Flag, and National Anthem of the Republic of Croatia Act.[3]
Lyrics
Current official
On most occasions, only the first verse is performed.
[dôk mu ɲî.ʋe sûːn.t͡se grî.jeː]
[dôk mu xr̩âʃ.t͡ɕe bû.ra ʋî.jeː]
[dôk mu mř̩t.ʋe grô.bak krî.jeː]
[dôk mu ʒǐː.ʋo sr̩̂.t͡se bǐ.je]
I
Our beautiful homeland,
Oh so fearless and gracious,
Our fathers' ancient glory,
May you be blessed forever.
Dear, you are our only glory,
Dear, you are our only one,
Dear, we love your plains,
Dear, we love your mountains.
II Drava, Sava, keep on flowing, Danube, do not lose your vigour, Deep blue sea, tell the world,
That a Croat loves his homeland.
Whilst his fields are kissed by sunshine,
Whilst his oaks are whipped by wild winds,
Whilst his dear ones go to heaven,
Whilst his live heart beats.
Original poem
The poem first published in the cultural magazine Danica ilirska, No. 10, edited by Ljudevit Gaj, in 1835[5][10] originally consisted of fourteen verses but today, only verses one, two, thirteen, and fourteen are part of the national anthem.
Croatian original
English translation
Ljiěpa naša domovino,
Oj junačka zemljo mila,
Stare slave dědovino,
Da bi vazda čestna bila!
Mila, kano si nam slavna,
Mila si nam ti jedina,
Mila, kuda si nam ravna,
Mila, kuda si planina!