Trei culori
Encyclopedia
Trei culori was the national anthem
of Romania
from 1977 until 1990. Since 1990, after the anti-communist Romanian Revolution of 1989
, it has been replaced by Deşteaptă-te, române!
. Before 1977 the national anthem had been Te slăvim, Românie, introduced in 1953.
Trei culori is based on a Romanian patriotic song with the same title (music and lyrics by Ciprian Porumbescu
). The original text twice underwent non-credited adaptation in order to match currently prevailing Communist Party ideology.
The title refers to the national flag of Romania
, which is a tricolor
: red, yellow and blue. It has not undergone many or major changes in the course of history. Only the distribution of the colors (in point of proportion and position) changed to a certain extent, being made equal after the abortive Romanian revolution of 1848
when, under the spur of the French revolutionary
spirit, many states in Europe adopted as their national flag the tricolour, or dimensionally standardized three-color banner.
National anthem
A national anthem is a generally patriotic musical composition that evokes and eulogizes the history, traditions and struggles of its people, recognized either by a nation's government as the official national song, or by convention through use by the people.- History :Anthems rose to prominence...
of Romania
Romania
Romania is a country located at the crossroads of Central and Southeastern Europe, on the Lower Danube, within and outside the Carpathian arch, bordering on the Black Sea...
from 1977 until 1990. Since 1990, after the anti-communist Romanian Revolution of 1989
Romanian Revolution of 1989
The Romanian Revolution of 1989 was a series of riots and clashes in December 1989. These were part of the Revolutions of 1989 that occurred in several Warsaw Pact countries...
, it has been replaced by Deşteaptă-te, române!
Desteapta-te, române!
"Deșteaptă-te, române" is Romania's national anthem....
. Before 1977 the national anthem had been Te slăvim, Românie, introduced in 1953.
Trei culori is based on a Romanian patriotic song with the same title (music and lyrics by Ciprian Porumbescu
Ciprian Porumbescu
Ciprian Porumbescu was a Romanian composer born in Şipotele Sucevei in Bukovina . He was among the most celebrated Romanian composers of his time; his popular works include Crai nou, Trei culori, Song for the 1st of May, Ballad for violin and piano, and Serenada...
). The original text twice underwent non-credited adaptation in order to match currently prevailing Communist Party ideology.
The title refers to the national flag of Romania
Flag of Romania
The national flag of Romania is a tricolour with vertical stripes: beginning from the flagpole, blue, yellow and red. It has a width-length ratio of 2:3....
, which is a tricolor
Tricolour
A tricolour is a flag or banner more-or-less equally divided into three bands of differing colours...
: red, yellow and blue. It has not undergone many or major changes in the course of history. Only the distribution of the colors (in point of proportion and position) changed to a certain extent, being made equal after the abortive Romanian revolution of 1848
National awakening of Romania
During the period of Austro-Hungarian rule in Transylvania and Ottoman suzerainty over Wallachia and Moldavia, most Romanians were treated as second-class citizens in their country...
when, under the spur of the French revolutionary
French Revolution
The French Revolution , sometimes distinguished as the 'Great French Revolution' , was a period of radical social and political upheaval in France and Europe. The absolute monarchy that had ruled France for centuries collapsed in three years...
spirit, many states in Europe adopted as their national flag the tricolour, or dimensionally standardized three-color banner.
Romanian lyrics
- Trei culori cunosc pe lume
- Ce le țin de-un sânt odor,
- Sunt culori de-un vechi renume
- Suveniri de-un brav popor.
- Roșu-i focul ce-mi străbate,
- Inima-mi plină de dor
- Pentru sânta libertate
- Şi al patriei amor.
- Auriu ca mândrul soare
- Fi-va'l nostru viitor
- Pururea'n eternă floare
- Şi cu luci netrecător
- Iar albastrul e credința
- Pentru nație ce-oi nutrim
- Credincioși fără schimbare
- Pân' la moarte o să-i fim
- Pân' pe cer și cât în lume
- Vor fi aste trei culori
- Vom avea un falnic nume
- Şi un falnic viitor
- Iar când, fraților, m'oi duce
- De la voi ș'oi fi să mor
- Pe mormânt, atunci să-mi puneți
- Mândrul nostru tricolor
English translation
- Three colours I know in the world
- And I hold them like a holy jewel
- They are colours with an ancient fame
- Reminders of a brave nation.
- As long as in the sky and in the world
- There will be these three colours
- We'll have a glorious name
- And a glorious future.
- Red is the bravery's fire
- Sacrifices that won't ever be lost
- Yellow, the plain's gold
- And blue is our sky
- For many centuries they fought
- O, brave and undismayed heroes
- So that we can live free in our country,
- Builders of the new world
- Until the sky and the world
- There will be these three colors
- We have a glorious name
- And a glorious future
- And you, brethren, lead me
- Since you have to die soon
- The tomb, let me put
- Our proud three colors
Romanian lyrics
- Trei culori cunosc pe lume,
- Amintind de-un brav popor,
- Ce-i viteaz, cu vechi renume,
- În luptă triumfător.
- Multe secole luptară
- Străbunii noştri eroi,
- Să trăim stăpîni în ţară,
- Ziditori ai lumii noi.
- Roşu, galben şi albastru
- Este-al nostru tricolor.
- Se înalţă ca un astru
- Gloriosul meu popor.
- Suntem un popor în lume
- Strâns unit şi muncitor,
- Liber, cu un nou renume
- Şi un ţel cutezător.
- Azi partidul ne uneşte
- Şi pe plaiul românesc
- Socialismul se clădeşte,
- Prin elan muncitoresc.
- Pentru-a patriei onoare,
- Vrăjmaşii-n luptă-i zdrobim.
- Cu alte neamuri sub soare,
- Demn, în pace, să trăim.
- Iar tu, Românie mîndră,
- Tot mereu să dăinuieşti
- Şi în comunista eră
- Ca o stea să străluceşti.
Literal English translation
- Three colours I know in the world,
- Reminders of a brave people –
- Since old times, with old renown
- Victorious in battle.
- For long ages
- Our heroic forefathers fought
- To live as masters of this land,
- Builders of our world.
- Red, yellow, and blue
- Is our tricolour
- The glory of my people
- Rises like a star
- We are a people in the world
- Close-knit and industrious,
- Free, with a new renown
- and an audacious aim.
- Today the Party unites us
- And on Romanian land
- Socialism will be built,
- Through the workers' spirit.
- For the honor of our homeland,
- We crush enemies in battle.
- With other nations under the sun,
- We live, trustworthy, in peace.
- But you, splendid Romania,
- Shall stand for ever and ever,
- And in the Communist era
- Shall shine as a star.
Freer English translation
- With three colours I'm acquainted
- Which recall a gallant race –
- Since old times by glory sainted
- Battles has it won apace.
- For long ages our forefathers
- Have this gallant flag unfurled,
- So we may the land's fruit gather,
- Building here the future's world.
- This tricolour flag of ours
- Flutters crimson, yellow, blue,
- Like a star in skyey bowers
- Rise my people, brave and true.
- In this world we are a nation
- Keen on work and of one soul.
- Free and with new reputation,
- Sharing one ambitious goal.
- Now united by our Party;
- In Romania's meads and fields,
- Our work is hard and hearty,
- Building Socialism its yield.
- For the homeland's greater glory
- We crush enemies at fight,
- But we'd share a peaceful story
- With all peoples in proud light.
- Proud Romania, now dearer,
- Live forever in fine light!
- In the Communist new era
- Like a star you must shine bright!