Croatia national anthem lyrics

The national anthem of Croatia is titled “Lijepa naša domovino” (“Our Beautiful Homeland”).
The lyrics were written by Antun Mihanović, while the music is traditionally attributed to Josip Runjanin. The song became Croatia’s official national anthem in 1972, although it had been widely used as a patriotic song long before that.

What the Anthem Expresses

Croatia’s anthem is calm and lyrical. Instead of war or conflict, it focuses on the natural beauty of the land, regional unity, and deep attachment to the homeland. Rivers, fields, seas, and mountains are all used to describe a shared national identity.

Lyrics

Lijepa naša domovino

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,
Dunav silu gubi,
Sinje more svijetu reci
Da svoj narod Hrvat ljubi.

Dok mu njive sunce grije,
Dok mu hrastje bura vije,
Dok mu mrtve grobak krije,
Dok mu živo srce bije!

English Version (Translation)

Croatian National Anthem – English Translation

Our beautiful homeland,
O heroic land so dear,
Land of ancient glory,
May you always be happy!

Dear, how glorious you are to us,
Dear, you are our only one,
Dear, whether plains surround you,
Dear, whether mountains rise.

Flow on, Sava, flow on, Drava,
Danube, lose your strength,
Blue sea, tell the world
That a Croat loves his nation.

While the sun warms his fields,
While the bora wind bends his oaks,
While graves shelter his dead,
While his living heart still beats!

How the Song Became the Anthem

“Lijepa naša domovino” was written in the 19th century during a period of growing national awareness among Croats. Over time, it became closely linked with cultural and political identity.

When Croatia formally adopted it as the national anthem, the song already held strong emotional meaning for the population. Today, it is performed at state ceremonies, sports events, and national holidays, representing pride in both land and heritage.