NEW RUSSIAN ANTHEM.

Kaikoura Star, Volume LXIV, Issue 62, 10 August 1944, Page 4

NEW RUSSIAN ANTHEM.

HAILS REPUBLIC OF THE FREE. Russia is hailed as a “ Republic of the Free” in a new Soviet National Anthem which has replaced the famous “Internationale,” a Moscow broadcast related. The “Internationale” was bandon< d by order of the Council of Peoples Commissars, the radiocast said, because it ‘ ‘ does not reflect the basic changes that have taken place in our country as a result of victories of the Soviet system.” The old anthem begins: “Arise, ye prisoners of starvation, arise ye wretched of the earth,’ - and concludes with “the International Soviet will free the human race. ’ ’

The new song, music by composer A. V. Alexandrov and words by Sergei Mikhalkov and E. L. Gisten, praises the victorious growth of the Soviet Union. The Soviet monitor here recorded the English translation as fol lows:— “Union indissoluble, republic of tho free, Be mighty Russian, .forever joined. Long live the one great Soviet Union, Created by the peoples’ will. Chorus: Glory to our free Motherland, The trusty support of the friendship of peoples, The Soviet banner, the peoples’ ban nor. Lead us from victory to victory. Through storms our sun of freedom shone, And the great Lenin lighted our path, Stalin reared us faithful to the people, And inspired us for work and great deeds. We reared out Aniv iu bailies; Swept the vile invader from our path, In battles deciding the fate of generations, We will lead our Motherland to glory.”