The national anthem of Estonia is titled “Mu isamaa, mu õnn ja rõõm” (“My Fatherland, My Happiness and Joy”).
The lyrics were written by Johann Voldemar Jannsen, and the melody was composed by Fredrik Pacius. The song was officially adopted as Estonia’s national anthem in 1920 and later restored after the country regained independence in 1991.
Original Lyrics
Mu isamaa, mu õnn ja rõõm
Mu isamaa, mu õnn ja rõõm,
kui kaunis oled sa!
Ei leia mina iial teal
see suure, laia ilma peal,
mis mull’ nii armas oleks ka,
kui sa, mu isamaa!
Sa oled mind ju sünnitand
ja üles kasvatand;
sind surmani ma tänan ja
truuks sulle jään ma alati,
su kõige kallimaks ma pean
su püha mulda ma.
Su üle Jumal valvaku,
mu armas isamaa!
Ta olgu sinu kaitseja
ja võtku rohkest õnnista,
mis iial ette võtad sa,
mu kallis isamaa!
English
Estonian National Anthem – English Translation
My fatherland, my happiness and joy,
how beautiful you are!
I will never find anywhere
in this great, wide world
a place so dear to me
as you, my homeland.
You gave me life
and raised me up;
until death I will thank you
and remain faithful to you always.
Most precious to me
is your sacred soil.
May God watch over you,
my dear homeland!
May He be your protector
and grant you abundant blessing
in all that you undertake,
my beloved homeland.
How the Anthem Became a National Symbol
The melody of Estonia’s anthem is shared with Finland’s national anthem, reflecting close cultural and historical ties between the two nations. The lyrics, however, are uniquely Estonian and express devotion to the land rather than political power or military strength.
During periods of foreign rule, the anthem was banned, yet it remained deeply rooted in public memory. When Estonia restored its independence, “Mu isamaa, mu õnn ja rõõm” naturally returned as a symbol of continuity, identity, and national pride.
Today, it is performed at state ceremonies, national holidays, and international events, representing Estonia’s enduring connection to its land and people.
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