Ask An Iranian - Which Iranian national anthem is which - Iranian national anthem music sheet

The most fun part of any Olympics is when the medals are given and you get to experience the differences between national anthems. Unfortunately, you’ll be listening to the American, Chinese and Russian anthems more than you’d like, but on the odd occasion that an athlete from a lesser-known nation wins, the fun begins. When an Iranian wins a medal—usually for wrestling—your ears will be blessed with the fine music of the Iranian national anthem. Look closely at the athlete though, because maybe, just maybe, they’ll be confused as to why that specific national anthem is playing. We say this because we posed a few questions about the Iranian national anthem, to our audience, but got more questions back — mostly, “which national anthem?”.

In this episode, we explain why the confusion exists and play the various versions of the Iranian national anthem that have existed over the last century or so. Listen here to learn more.

Questions we also get answers to in this episode

  • Why are Iranians confused about what their national anthem is?
  • Is the song “Ey Iran” the Iranian national anthem?
  • What are the lyrics to the Iranian national anthem?
  • Why does the Czech Republic only have half a national anthem?
  • What’s that communist song that Iranians like to sing at soirées?

Translation of the Iranian national anthem

The current national anthem (as of writing this post in 2021) for the Islamic Republic of Iran, translates in English, as follows:

Upwards on the horizon rises the Eastern Sun,
The light in the eyes of the believers in justice,
Bahman is the zenith of our faith.
Your message, O Imam, of independence, freedom, is imprinted on our souls.
O Martyrs! Your clamours echo in the ears of time.
Enduring, continuing, and eternal.
The Islamic Republic of Iran!

Who wrote the lyrics to the Iranian national anthem?

The Islamic Republic of Iran’s national anthem’s lyrics were written by Sayed Bagheri in 1989.

Who composed the Iranian national anthem?

The Islamic Republic of Iran’s national anthem’s music was composed by Hassan Riyahi (1988).

Translation of Persian (Farsi) words used in this episode

PersianEnglish translation
Boro baabaa:“Go dad” – Persian equivelent of “get outa here!”
Boro biroon:“Get out”
Soroode Melli:“National anthem”
Vaysaa:“Wait”
Beshin:“Sit down”
Khaak bar saram:“Mud on my head” – like, “bury me”
Tavalodet mobaarak:“Happy birthday”
“a” appearing alone, will be pronounced as a short-a — double ‘aa’s are long, as used in the word “water”

Image credit: Music sheet for the Islamic Republic of Iran’s national anthem borrowed from Wikipedia, edited by Ask An Iranian