Dievs, svētī Latviju!
Dievs, svētī Latviju!
Dievs, svētī Latviju,
Mūs' dārgo tēviju,
Svētī jel Latviju,
Ak, svētī jel to!
Kur latvju meitas zied,
Kur latvju dēli dzied,
Laid mums tur laimē diet,
Mūs' Latvijā!
Vārdu un mūzikas autors-Baumaņu Kārlis
ENGLISH TRANSLATION
Bless Latvia, O God,
Our verdant native land sod,
Where Baltic heroes trod,
Keep her from harm!
Bless Latvia, O God,
Our verdant native land sod,
Where Baltic heroes trod,
Keep her from harm!
Our lovely daughters near.
Our singing sons appear,
May Fortune smiling here
Grace Latvia!
Our lovely daughters near.
Our singing sons appear,
May Fortune smiling here
Grace Latvia!
"Dievs, Sveti Latviju!"(God Bless Latvia!) was originally written while Latvia was still a part of Russia. The composition of the song was a direct act of defiance against the Russians, who did not encourage national sentiments. Because of the Russians forbidding the use of the word "Latvia" in the song, it was replaced with the word "Baltics". The song was first performed publicly in 1873 at a singing festival, and first performed as a national anthem upon Latvian independence in 1918. It was officially confirmed as the anthem in 1920. During the time that Latvia was part of the Soviet Union, the song was again forbidden, but upon leaving the U. S. S. R. in 1990, the anthem was again restored as the national anthem of Latvia. Music and words by Karlis Baumanis