A few words about the country:
Abkhazia is a small, mostly unrecognized country on the eastern shore of the Black Sea. It borders Russia in the North, and Georgia in the East and South. The country has been de facto independent since 1993. It’s independence is guaranteed by Russia (among others), although Georgia still claims the whole of the Abkhazian territory.
History of the anthem:
The anthem is called Aiaaira in the native Abkhazian language, which means ‘victory’. It was adopted in 1992, the year during which separatists declared their independence from Georgia. The lyrics were written by Gennady Alamia, a top politician in the country; the music was composed by Valera Çkaduwa, who based it on a revolutionary song.
Lyrics:
Strangely, it seemed impossible to find an English translation of the Abkhazi lyrics. I did however find a Turkish translation, which I used to construct a crude English version.
Abkhazian lyrics
Šwneibac, šwneibac,
Aṕsuaa ryçkwyncwa.
Aṕsny azyḩa̋an
Ašʹa kazţwaz,
Aṕsuaa ryçkwyncwa.
Ahaķwiţraz
Ašʹa kazţwaz,
Aṕsuaa ryçkwyncwa.
O-ḩo-ḩo-o ḩo-o-Rada
O-ḩo-ḩo-o ḩo-o-Rada-Ra!
Ažwòan mradoup, eċwadoup
Uara uda Aṕsynra!
Eċwa-byrlaš Aṕsyntwla,
Ulṕha zgwaċaķwa irţyṕho,
Gei-šʹhei ryṕšźara zaṕšnylaz.
Žwlar lamysla iḩarakoit.
Rada, Reida, Rarira
Rada, Rerama, Rerašʹa.
Narţaa riira-ziirou
Afyrhacwa Ran-Guašʹa
Aṕsyntwyla-iṕšʹoč atwyla
Zhy zdinyḩwalaz Ancwa
Zķʹyšyķwasala imòashʹo gyloup
Ryžwaòa eibyrţoit uṕacwa.
Šwneibac Aṕsnyža̋lar!
Aišʹcwa, šwneibac!
Nhyċ-aahyċ ḩaicup!
Ḩazšaz ilaṕš
Ḩhyup iaḩhymšwo
Ṕeṕš laša ḩzyšup!
Šwneibac, Aṕsnyžwlar,
Igyleit ḩamra,
Iaķwym ţašwara!
Urylagwyrgʹa,
Anra-aḩšara
Šʹardaamţa, Aṕsynra.
English lyrics
(Please note that it wasn’t possible for me to translate all the words. Yet this will still be the most complete English translation you’ll find of this song, at least on the internet.)
Forwards together, forwards together
Sons of Abkhazia!
We shed our blood,
Sons of Abkhazia!
For independence
We shed our blood,
Sons of Abkhazia!
O-ḩo-ḩo-o ḩo-o-Rada
Raydara!
The sky is sunless, starless
Without you Abkhazia!
Your love warms out hearts,
Donning the mountains and the sea
Yücelen conscience of the people,
Diamond star Abkhazia!
Rada, Reyda, Rarira,
Rada, Rerama, Reraşa!
Narts* rise like the falcon
The mother of heroes,
Holy country, Abkhazia,
That God blesses.
Sons standing thousands of years
Shoulder to shoulder.
Forward, Abkhazian people!
Brothers, go forward together!
South and north are with us
Eyes are always upon us and our Creator,
Bright days await us.
Forward, Abkhazian people!
The sun was born,
Batmamasıya!
We love you forever
Evlatlarınla.
Beautiful days, Abkhazia!
*The Nartic tribe is considered to be the mythological predecessor to the country of Abkhazia
My humble opinion of the anthem:
Before ever listening to the song, I’m just gonna take a look at the lyrics first. These seem to be a little confusing: I mean, what do they want? It looks like someone took a Sabaton song about a glorious war, and fused it with R.E.M.’s ‘Shiny Happy People’. At one moment the enemy is drowning in blood and nearly faints at the sight of the heroic Abkhazians (“we shed our blood”, “rise like the falcon”), the other moment it looks more like a teenage girl’s facebook page (“diamond star”, “we love you forever”). Mixed messages much, guys?
After the first time listening, the music sounded quite alright. It has that certain Eastern European, Central Asian, Cossack, soviet feel to it, If you know what I mean. As the song progresses however, it somehow reminded me more and more of Disney movies, although this might be due to the way it was recorded and the use of instruments. It really gave me an old movie vibe though: while writing this, I almost expected my room to turn black and white while I guy wearing a long coat and hat walked in, lighting a cigarette, saying:”Frankly, my dear, I don’t give a damn (about what you think of this song)”.
I did found one version of the song with lyrics on youtube, but it was of such low quality I decided not to listen to it; didn’t want to spoil these guys’ points, just cause some other dude was too lazy or cheap to buy decent recording equipment.
To summarise: this song wasn’t half bad, but it wasn’t great either. Both the lyrics and the melody have its ups and downs. I rate it a 65/100.
Let me play you the song of my people... 