Mykola Lysenko - Prayer for Ukraine (1885)

“Prayer for Ukraine” (“Молитва за Україну”, “Molitva za Ukrainu”) is a patriotic hymn composed and published in 1885, during a time when Ukrainian language was suppressed by the government of Imperial Russia. The text was penned by poet and interpreter Oleksandr Konynsky and the music was provided by composer Mykola Lysenko. The work grew popular as a hymn used in the services of the various churches in Ukraine, including the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church and the Ukrainian Orthodox Church. By the time of the Russian Revolution and the ensuing War of Ukrainian Independence, the “Prayer for Ukraine” dramatically rose in popularity as an anthem used in official occasions by the various successive governments.
The lyrics of the piece are as follows:
“Bozhe velykyi, yedynyi,
Nam Ukrainu khrany,
Voli i svitu prominniam,
Ty yii osiny.

Svitlom nauky i znannia
Nas, ditey, prosvity,
V chystii liubovi do kraiu,
Ty nas, Bozhe, zrosty.

Molymos', Bozhe yedynyi,
Nam Ukrainu khrany,
Vsi svoi lasky y shchedroty,
Ty na liud nash zverny.

Dai yomu voliu, dai yomu doliu,
Dai dobroho svitu, shchastia,
Dai, Bozhe, narodu
I mnohaia, mnohaia lita.”
These lyrics can be roughly translated as:
“Lord, O the Great and Almighty,
Protect our beloved Ukraine,
Bless her with freedom and light
Of your holy rays.

With learning and knowledge enlighten
Us, your children small,
In love pure and everlasting
Let us, O Lord, grow.

We pray, O Lord Almighty,
Protect our beloved Ukraine,
Grant our people and country
All your kindness and grace.

Bless us with freedom, bless us with wisdom,
Guide into kind world,
Bless us, O Lord, with good fortune
Forever and evermore.”

(Dmytro Shostak)
Date: 1885
Librettist: Oleksandr Yakovych Konysky
Performers: Unknown; link to original video: https://youtu.be/XxcNuaH4qrY
Note: This channel does not own the score or audio, and they are only used for non-commercial purposes.

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