Classic Poem

Live as Armenians, brethren, in this world!
That name to us do history's pages give;
The heavens above salute us by that name:
Then, brethren, as Armenians let us live!

Armenians we! That hero was our sire
Who taught mankind for freedom first to strive;
He gave us for our portion a great name:
Then, brethren, as Armenians let us live!

Our land is holy; on its sacred soil
God walked, what time he Adam forth did drive;
Our language he devised; he spoke it first:
Then, brethren, as Armenians let us live!

We have one cradle with the human race;
Our land salvation to the world did give;
Faith's earliest altar was Mount Ararat:
Then, brethren, as Armenians let us live!

Noble our name is; not on earth alone,
But in the heavens it shines forth gloriously.
The stars of valiant Haig are deathless there:
Brethren, Armenians let us ever be!

Live as Armenians! From the past what land
So many ancient glories doth derive?
What nation has so beautiful a home?
Then, brethren, as Armenians let us live!

Unto what nation did the King of heaven
Send four apostles as an embassy,
And with what monarch did he correspond?
Brethren, Armenians let us ever be!

Who can count o'er the names of all our saints?
One roll of martyrs is our history;
Our church on earth is like to heaven itself:
Brethren, Armenians let us ever be!

To us was Christ's first benediction given;
The champions of the faith for aye were we;
Armenia's deeds astonished earth and heaven:
Brethren, Armenians let us ever be!

Our nation, ever following the Lord,
Has borne the cross for many a century;
No, she will not be a deserter now!
Brethren, Armenians let us ever be!

Yes, sorrowful is life beneath the cross;
Yes, as Armenians we with pain must strive;
Yet wears the cross the seal of victory:
Then, brethren, as Armenians let us live!

Our home beloved, our sceptre and our crown,
With clouds are covered in obscurity:
Have hope! the heavens yet shall give us light:
Brethren, Armenians let us ever be!

No, not forever shall our fate be sad,
Our lot, to eat and drink of misery;
A new and happy future waits for us!
Brethren, Armenians let us ever be!

Live as Armenians, that our sons as well
May boast that they are our posterity;
Let us do no dishonor to our name!
Brethren, Armenians let us ever be!

Live as Armenians! Some day, over death
Armenia yet shall rise in victory.
Soon may that glad day dawn for us. O heaven!
Brethren, Armenians let us ever be!