National Anthem

Antun Mihanovic wrote lyrics to the Croatian National Anthem. In 1835 it was printed in the "Danica" (Morning Star) newspaper for the first time under the name "Horvatska domovina".(Croatian Homeland) In the 1940's Josip Rujanin, a Croatian Serb, composed the music to accompany the lyrics. In 1861 V. Lichtenegger made some minor changes to the score. The song was first sung as the unofficial National Anthem at an exhibition held by the Croatian-Slovonian Economic Society in Zagreb in 1891. On February 29th, 1972 the first amendment to the Croatian Constitution declared the anthem official. There was a slight change to the lyrics in 1990 with the declaration of Independence from Yugoslavia.

The Anthem's score:

Lyrics:

Lijepa naša Domovino,

Oj junačka zemljo mila,

Stare slave djedovino,

Da bi vazda sretna bila!

Mila kano si nam slavna,

Mila si nam ti jedina,

Mila kuda si nam ravna,

Mila kuda si planina!

Teci Savo, Dravo teci,

Nit ti, Dunav, silu gubi!

Sinje more, svijetu reci,

Da svoj narod Hrvat ljubi!

Dok mu njive sunce grije,

Dok mu hrašće bura vije,

Dok mu mrtve grobak krije,

Dok mu živo srce bije!

English Translation of Lyrics:

Our beautiful homeland,

O so fearless and gracious.

Our fathers' ancient glory,

May you be blessed forever.

Dear, you are our only glory,

Dear, you are our only one,

Dear, we love your plains,

Dear, we love your mountains.

Sava, Drava, keep on flowing,

Danube, do not lose your vigour,

Deep blue sea, tell the world,

That a Croat loves his homeland.

Whilst his fields are kissed by sunshine,

Whilst his oaks are whipped by wild winds,

Whilst his dear ones go to heaven,

Whilst his live heart beats.