Semantic substitutions - Analytical analysis of the anthems of the USSR

2024 Author: Seth Attwood | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 15:55

I understand that the title is somewhat defiant. Nevertheless, to be convinced of his correctness, let us turn to the facts. Namely, let us compare the texts of the USSR anthems of the 1943 and 1977 editions. The meaning of the chorus has changed significantly. And the point here is not even in the name of Lenin, but in the lowering of the level of sacredness.

If in the Stalinist anthem the whole people, led not just by their highest state symbol - the Soviet banner, but by the national banner, goes from victory to victory, then already in the Brezhnev anthem the word "victory" in the sense of the result realactions of the people are not mentioned at all, but people from the category of the subject of the historical process turns into an objectled by the party.

So the shepherd appeared. Who is he watching? Whom does it lead? It is clear that the herd.

In Brezhnev's version of the anthem, the word "victory" is mentioned in a completely abstract context: "the victory of the immortal ideas of communism." Lie on the stove and wait for communism to win, it turns out that way.

Let's look at the couplets now. The first remained unchanged. In the second, the mention of Stalin was removed, Lenin was added again, and it seems that otherwise nothing has fundamentally changed. Except for one more thing: removed the mention of loyalty the people.

Or rather, the fidelity has been carried over to the third verse. And if earlier Stalin raised Soviet people who had to be loyal to the whole people, otherwise not to betray themselves, then in the later version loyalty was declared not to the highest subject of the country, the people, but to its symbol - the red banner.

Roughly speaking, Gorbachev and the Yakovlevs could well afford to betray the people, i.e. not to be faithful to him, but to hang out a red banner in your apartment, putting in this symbol only they understandable meaning with the best intentions, so it turns out?!?

And again in the last, third verse, as in the chorus, the mentioned substitution of the people-subject of government for the people of the led, i.e. on the people-object of management.

In the Stalinist version, it seems that the people are not the subject either, for they are led by the red banner. However, the banner is not just red, but also a national, native, and besides, it leads the people through his actions: from victory to victory.

Let's compare it with Brezhnev's version: there is already a small part of the people in the form of a party, albeit a popular one, a path that claims to be a popular force, but, we repeat, only a small part of it- leads to identity it is not clear where and howemerged in the future of communism. Those. not a word about how and thanks to whom or what this communism will appear. And when it appears, if that.

And, mind you, a sharp swindling of Soviet society just started in the second half of the 70s! It is clear that the beginning of the process was laid by the Trotskyist Khrushchev, but it was a historic battle with a completely optional outcome in the form of the collapse of the USSR. But at the matrix level, it was the change of the anthem that greatly contributed to the collapse of the great country.

Anthem of the USSR. 1943 text The unbreakable union of the free republics Great Russia united forever. Long live created by the will of the peoples United, mighty Soviet Union! Chorus: Hail, our free Fatherland, Friendship of peoples is a reliable stronghold! Soviet banner, national banner Let it lead from victory to victory Through the thunderstorms the sun of freedom shone for us, And Lenin illuminated the great path for us. We were raised by Stalin - to be loyal to the people He inspired us to work and deeds. Chorus: Hail, our free Fatherland, The happiness of peoples is a reliable stronghold! Soviet banner, national banner Let it lead from victory to victory! We raised our army in battles, We'll sweep the dastardly invaders off the road! In battles we decide the fate of generations, We will lead our Fatherland to glory! Chorus: Hail, our free Fatherland, The glory of the peoples is a reliable stronghold! Soviet banner, national banner Let it lead from victory to victory!

Anthem of the USSR. 1977 text The unbreakable union of the free republics Great Russia rallied forever Long live created by the will of the peoples United, mighty Soviet Union! Chorus: Hail, our free Fatherland, Friendship of peoples is a reliable stronghold! Lenin's party is the strength of the people Leads us to the triumph of communism Through the thunderstorms the sun of freedom shone for us, And the great Lenin illuminated our path: For a just cause, he raised the peoples, He inspired us to work and deeds! Chorus: Hail, our free Fatherland, Friendship of peoples is a reliable stronghold! Lenin's party is the strength of the people Leads us to the triumph of communism! In the victory of the immortal ideas of communism We see the future of our country And to the red banner of the glorious Fatherland We will always be selflessly faithful! Chorus: Hail, our free Fatherland, Friendship of peoples is a reliable stronghold! Lenin's party is the strength of the people Leads us to the triumph of communism!

Finally, for comparison, let us cite the text of the modern Russian anthem. It should be noted that in terms of semantic expression and content, it is hardly inferior to the Brezhnev version of the anthem. And thank God that in the current anthem at least the very dubious blue-white-red symbol is not mentioned …

Russian anthem. 2001 text

Russia is our sacred state, Russia is our beloved country.

Mighty will, great glory -

Your property for all time!

Hail, our free Fatherland, The age-old union of fraternal peoples, Ancestors given the wisdom of the people!

Glory country! We proud of you!

From the southern seas to the polar edge

Our forests and fields are spread out.

You are the only one in the world! You are the only one -

Native land protected by God!

Hail, our free Fatherland, The age-old union of fraternal peoples, Ancestors given the wisdom of the people!

Glory country! We proud of you!

Wide space for dreams and for life

The years to come open to us.

We are given strength by our loyalty to the Fatherland.

So it was, so it is and it will always be so!

Hail, our free Fatherland, The age-old union of fraternal peoples, Ancestors given the wisdom of the people!

Glory country! We proud of you!