Probably the only language in the world with its own flag and anthem, the word "Esperanto" translates as "hope" and also provides the title of the anthem of the language. The anthem speaks of the goal of the language, to bind the nations together with a common language in peace.
The words were among the first Esperanto poetry, written by Dr. Zamenhof, the inventor of the Esperanto language, and the melody was especially written by French composer Félicien de Ménil. It is played at the opening of congresses.
ESPERANTO LYRICS
En la mondon venis nova sento
Tra la mondo iras forta voko
Per flugiloj de facila vento
Nun de loko flugu gxi al loko
Ne al glavo sangon soifanta
Gxi la homan tiras familion
Al la mond' eterne militanta
Gxi promesas sanktan harmonion
Sub la sankta signo de l'espero
Kolektigxas pacaj batalantoj
Kaj rapide kreskas la afero
Per laboro de la esperantoj
Forte staras muroj de miljaroj
Inter la popoloj dividitaj
Sed dissaltos la obstinaj baroj
Per la sankta amo disbatitaj
Sur neuxtrala lingva fundamento
Komprenante unu la alian
La popoloj faros en konsento
Unu grandan rondon familian
Nia diligenta kolegaro
En laboro paca ne lacigxos
Gxis la bela songxo de l'homaro
Por eterna ben' efektivigxos
---
ENGLISH TRANSLATION
Into the world came a new feeling
Through the world goes a powerful call
By the wings of a gentle wind
It shall now fly from place to place
Not to the sword thirsting for blood
Does it draw the human family
To the world eternally at war
It promises sacred harmony
Under the sacred sign of Hope
Gather the warriors of peace
And this thing quickly grows
By the labors of those who hope
The walls of a thousand years stand firm
Between the divided peoples
But the stubborn barriers will crumble
Knocked down with sacred love
Based on a neutral language
Understanding one another
The people will agree to make
One great family circle
Our diligent colleagues
In peaceful labor will never tire
Until the beautiful dream of humanity
For eternal good is realized
;-P
