You, Kazakia, You are our Motherland

"You, Kazakia, You are our Motherland" is the anthem of the Independent Cossack Republic, approved in 1928, the text of which is a modification of the folk song "You, Kuban, You are our Motherland!". This hymn is one of the rare examples of a true "folk anthem", that is, anthem that does not have an official melody and is sung primarily as a popular song.

Background
The folk song "You, Kuban, You are our Motherland!" was written in 1914 on the Russian-Turkish front of the First World War by a regimental chaplain named Konstantin Obraztsoff in honor of the military victories of the 1st Caucasian Cossack Regiment. Although the poem itself was dedicated exclusively to the Kuban cossacks of the Black Sea Host, soon this song became popular among all Russian Cossacks, and "Kuban" began to be replaced by other words, giving rise to "You, Don, are my Fatherland!", "Oh father Terek!", etc.

Later, this song was included and published by Obraztsov in the fall of 1918 as part of a small pamphlet of 6-8 pages under the title of "Lament of the Kuban People". Since then, this song and its variations began to spread throughout the Cossack lands, even among inogorodtsy, which ultimately led to the decision to adopt a modification of this song as the "state anthem". The replacement of "Kuban" with "Kazakia" was purposeful in order not to cause disputes between similar, but nevertheless culturally different, Don and Black Sea Cossacks.

Meaning
Its patriotic tone is the main reason why this song became popular in the first place. The lyrics convey the deep emotional contemplation of an average Cossack regarding the fate of his homeland, which is expressed in the words "Kazakia", and that she is his "eternal bogatyr". A large part of the song praises both the Cossacks and their knightly honor, as well as the positive aspects of their homeland, which they are ready to defend against the enemy.

That is why, during the civil war, this song was much more popular with the people than "royal" anthems, because, as far as the Cossacks were conserned, the Emperor has not only betrayed them, but also his rule turned out to be unstable and frail. Meanwhile this prayer song was able to resonate with both the front-line soldiers and the veterans, civilian and military, ordinary Cossacks and officers, Cossacks and Inogorodtsy alike.

Links

 * | Link to "You, Kuban, You are our Motherland" which serves as a prototype of this song