Nikola Šubic Zrinski - U Boj, u boj!

Nikola Šubić Zrinski is an opera written and composed by Ivan Zajc in 1876. It is a retelling of the Battle of Szigetvár of 1566, in which Nikola Zrinski, Ban of Croatia and captain of the assembled Croatian and Hungarian forces, took a heroic last stand against overwhelming Ottoman forces, led personally by Suleiman the Magnificent. Though the fortress fell, the defenders inflicted grievous injuries on the assaulting forces, all but crippling the victors' ability to progress past the Croatian-Hungarian border, and causing the death of the sultan himself.

The opera premiered in Zagreb on 4 November 1876 at what was then the People's Theater housed in the present-day Old City Hall building. It was well received by audiences and critics alike. Its enduring fame is due in large part to its climactic chorus, "U boj, u boj!" ("To battle, to battle!"), written by the composer ten years prior to the rest of the opera. It has achieved lasting popularity as a Croatian patriotic song, removed from the context of the opera, as well as a Japanese glee club staple.

To battle, to battle!
Unsheathe your swords, brethren,
Let the foe know how we die!

Our city already burns,
Embers are already reaching us:
Their roar resounds,
Their rage is rampant!

Our chests flare up as that fire,
The roar is silenced by the rattling of our swords!

As brethren would kiss one another,
All of you kiss Zrinski!
Follow him to the gates,
Trustful heroes!

Now, brethren!
Load the rifles, pistols,
Our thunders, our bang,
Let them roar, topple, harry!
Let us grind our fierce swords,
Make them cut harder, harder!
Load the rifles, pistols,
Our thunders, our bang,
Let them roar, topple, harry!

Goodbye and be well,
Our home of old,
Oh, good bye,
From everywhere
The grim foe comes
Already they plan
To bury your sacred body,
But they won't!
All your sons move to the fight for you!
Our home, you will stand forever!

Into the fight, to the fight!
For the home, for the home now to the fight!
Even if the infernal might
Raises its knife at it;
To the fight!
We are few, but courageous!
Who, who will bring him down?
Death to the devil, death!

For the home, to the fight, for the home, to the fight

To die for your homeland - such a delight!

Against the foe! They must fall!

Видео Nikola Šubic Zrinski - U Boj, u boj! канала Trebonis