"Mer Hayrenik" ("Our Fatherland") is the national anthem of Armenia. Adopted on July 1, 1991, it is based on the anthem of the Democratic Republic of Armenia (1918-1920), but with different lyrics. The lyrics were written as a poem by poet Mikael Nalbandian (1829-1866) and later set to music by composer Barsegh Kanachyan (1885-1967).


English translation

Our fatherland, free and independent,
That lived from century to century
His children are calling
Free independent Armenia.
(repeat previous two lines)

Here brother, for you a flag,
That I made with my hands
Nights I didn't sleep,
With tears I washed it.
(repeat previous two lines)

Look at it, 3 colours
It's our gifted symbol.
Let it shine against the enemy.
Let Armenia always be glorious.
(repeat previous two lines)

Everywhere death is the same
Everyone dies only once
But lucky is the one
Who is sacrificed for his nation.
(repeat previous two lines)

(repeat first verse)