Azerbaijan
By Samad Vurgun Translated By Gladys Evans
Men know that you are mine by birth:
My nest, my refuge and my hearth,
My mother, native land, dear earth!
Sever soul and body? Death but can,
O Azerbaijan, my Azerbaijan!
As mother to me, as child to you-
Such is the bond we ever knew:
I’d come back wherever I flew,
For you are my people, you-my nest,
My native birthplace ever blest.
***
A day that’s free, a man that’s free,
A spring like this invites a spree!
Seek out the shade of a plane tree
To spread a rug that’s rainbow-spun-
And hail the country of the Sun!
***
Beautiful birthland! I was born
Together with freedom’s dawn
Which crimson banners did adorn-
Life seemed one endless, joyous feast;
Gay songs and laughter never ceased.
Dear country-gate of the Ancient East.
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