Ey Iran

Ey Irân (ای ایران, “O Iran”) is an anthem considered to be the de facto national anthem of Iran.

History

"Ey Irân" anthem was composed in 1944 in Tehran. The lyrics were written by Hossein Gol-e-Golab and the music was composed by Ruhollah Khaleqi, and it was first performed by the classical Persian music singer Gholam-Hossein Banan.

Golegolâb was inspired to write the song by patriotism. He has been quoted to have said: "In 1944, the footsteps of the invading armies in the streets were enough to rattle any patriot and inspired me to write this anthem. Professor Ruhollâh Kâleqi wrote the music and despite all the political opposition, it found its way into the heart and soul of the people."

"Ey Irân" is sometimes mistaken for being the former Persian national anthem. It has only briefly had de facto national anthem status; however, it occupies a place in Iranian popular culture similar to that of Men of Harlech in Wales. It was unofficially used in the transitional period between the national anthem used at the time of the Shah (deposed February, 1979) until the adoption of the national anthem of the Islamic Republic.

Iranian opposition groups both inside and outside of Iran do not recognize the current official anthem of the Islamic Republic of Iran as the "national anthem" and in all gatherings and ceremonies use "Ey Irân" anthem.

For decades many groups and singers have performed "Ey Irân". One of most popular ones is 1991 version which has been arranged for voice, choir and orchestra by Golnuš Xāleqi, daughter of Rowhollāh Xāleqi. In this version the vocal soloist was Rashid Vatandust and Esfandiar Gharabaghi

Lyrics

Persian original	Transliteration	English translation	Alternative English translation
ای ایران ای مرز پرگهر ای خاکت سرچشمه هنر دور از تو اندیشه بدان پاینده مانی تو جاودان ای دشمن ار تو سنگ خاره‌ای من آهنم جان من فدای خاک پاک میهنم مهر تو چون شد پیشه‌ام دور از تو نیست اندیشه‌ام در راه تو کی ارزشی دارد این جان ما پاینده باد خاک ایران ما سنگ کوهت در و گوهر است خاک دشتت بهتر از زر است مهرت از دل کی برون کنم برگو بی‌مهرِ تو چون کنم تا گردش جهان و دور آسمان به پاست نور ایزدی همیشه رهنمای ماست مهر تو چون شد پیشه‌ام دور از تو نیست اندیشه‌ام در راه تو کی ارزشی دارد اين جان ما پاینده باد خاک ایران ما ایران ای خرم بهشت من روشن از تو سرنوشت من گر آتش بارد به پیکرم جز مهرت در دل نپرورم از آب و خاک و مهر تو سرشته شد گلم مهر اگر برون رود تهی شود دلم مهر تو چون شد پیشه‌ام دور از تو نیست اندیشه‌ام در راه تو کی ارزشی دارد این جان ما پاینده باد خاک ایران ما	Ey Irān ey marz-e por gohar Ey xākat sarčešme-ye honar Dur az to andiše-ye badān Pāyande māni to jāvedān Ey došman ar to sang-e xāreyi, man āhanam Jān-e man fadā-ye xāk-e pāk-e mihanam Mehr-e to čon šod pišeam Dur az to nist andišeam Dar rāh-e to key arzeši dārad in jān-e mā Pāyande bād xāk-e Irān-e mā Sang-e kuhat dorr o gohar ast Xāk-e daštat behtar az zarast Mehrat az del key borun konam Bargu bimehr-e to čun konam Tā gardeš-e jahān o dowr-e āsemān bepāst Nur-e izadi hamiše rahnamā-ye māst Mehr-e to čon šod pišeam Dur az to nist andišeam Dar rāh-e to key arzeši dārad in jān-e mā Pāyande bād xāk-e Irān-e mā Irān ey xorram behešt-e man Rowšan az to sarnevešt-e man Gar ātaš bārad be peykaram Joz mehrat dar del naparvaram Az ābo xāko mehr-e to serešte šod gelam Mehr agar borun ravad tohi šavad delam Mehr-e to čon šod pišeam Dur az to nist andišeam Dar rāh-e to key arzeši dārad in jān-e mā Pāyande bād xāk-e Irān-e mā	O Iran, o bejeweled land O, your soil is the wellspring of the arts Far from you may the thoughts of evil be May you remain lasting and eternal O enemy, if you are of stone, I am of steel May my life be sacrificed for the pure soil of my motherland Since your love became my calling My thoughts are never far from you In your cause, when do our lives have value? May the land of our Iran be eternal. The stones of your mountains are jewels and pearls The soil of your valleys are better than gold When could I rid my heart of your affection? Tell me, what will I do without your affection? As long as the turning of the earth and the cycling of the sky lasts The light of the Divine will always guide us Since your love became my calling My thoughts are never far from you In your cause, when do our lives have value? May the land of our Iran be eternal Iran, o my green paradise Bright is my fate because of you If fire rains on my body Other than your love I will not cherish in my heart Your water, soil and love molded my clay If your love leaves my heart it will become barren Since your love became my calling My thoughts are never far from you In your cause, when do our lives have value? May the land of our Iran be eternal	O Iran, the land of gems abound Thy soil nurtures artisans aplenty Far be from you the foes’ intentions May you remain permanent and eternal O enemy, if you’re made of rock, I'm made of steel My life I sacrifice for the noble soil of my land Thy love has become my preoccupation My thoughts are never far from you For thee my life is not worthy May the land of Iran be eternal Thy mountains are made of gems and jewels The soil of thy fields better than gold Tell me what to do without your love If ever I exclude it from my heart While the universe and the heavens revolve The light of Yazdan will forever brighten our path Thy love has become my preoccupation My thoughts are never far from you For thee my life is not worthy May the land of Iran be eternal Iran my beautiful paradise Bright is my destiny because of you Even if fire rains on my body Only your love I’ll flourish in my heart I am made of thy love, water and earth Should love leave, earthen will become my heart Thy love has become my preoccupation My thoughts are never far from you For thee my life is not worthy May the land of Iran be eternal

External links

• Ey Iran, Ruhollah Khaleghi (music), Hossein Golgolab (lyrics), Golnoosh Khaleghi (arrangement, 1991)
• Thousands of Persians sing EY IRAN in the Nowruz Concert, Oberhausen Arena, March 2014 (VIDEO)
• Original version of EY IRAN anthem with the complete lyrics in Persian
• Ey Iran, Ey Iran Video by Darya Dadvar 2007.
• Ey Iran performed by Zoroastrian Gatha Group, MPEG audio.

See also

• Rouhollah Khaleghi