Yannis Stavrou. Hydra Landscape, oil on canvas
One day before the Greek Independence Day which celebrates the start of the Greek revolution against Ottoman rule in 1821...
Reading our national poet...
Dionysios Solomos
Hymn To Liberty
(The Greek Anthem)
I KNOW YOU of old
Oh divinely restored,
By the light of your eyes
And the edge of your sword.
From the graves of our people
Shall your spirit prevail
As we greet you again-
Hail, Liberty, Hail!
Long did you dwell
Amid the peoples that mourn
Awaiting some voice
That should tell you to return
Oh, unfortunate one!
The only consolation you had
were the past glories,
and remembering them you cried.
Long you have awaited
for a freedom-loving call
and in despair one hand
hits the other one.
And you cried:
ah! When do I raise my head
in this desolate land?
and the answer was chains, cries so sad.
Then you shifted your gaze
tearfully, clouded in haze
and on your garment dripped blood
from your children's tortured hearts.
With blood-stained clothes
I know for a fact
that you secretly sought help
in stronger hands of foreign lands.
On your journey you started alone
and alone you came back
doors do not easily open
when you need them so bad.
Someone cried on your breast,
but no response at its best;
another promised you help,
but he tricked you no less.
Some, allas! in your misfortune rejoice
and with such a cold poise
"go find your children" said they
as doors were shut in your face.
The foot slips and slides
and in such a haste it steps
on stone, or grass
reminders of a glorious past.
The miserable head shamefully leans
and the image it brings
is of a poor beggar, going door to door
with no interest in life any more.
Yet, behold now the sons
with impetuous breath
Go forth to the fight
seeking freedom or death.
From the graves of our people
shall the spirit prevail
as we greet you again-
Hail, Liberty, Hail!
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