Armenian revolutionary songs


Armenian revolutionary songs are songs that promote Armenian patriotism. The origins of these songs lay largely in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, when Armenian political parties were established to struggle for the political and civil rights of Armenians living in the Ottoman Empire.

History

The Armenian revolutionary movement, initially led by the Social Democrat Hunchakian Party and the Armenian Revolutionary Federation, took place in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. This was caused by years of oppression from the Ottoman Empire, especially under the rule of sultan Abdul Hamid II. This was the period when Armenians began demanding their most basic rights and defending Armenian towns from Ottoman oppression. Certain armed Armenian patriotic groups formed to fight the Turkish oppression and defend Armenian towns from Kurdish brigands. These volunteer fighters were called fedayees. In some instances, they were successful in defending Armenian locals, earning them popular support and elevating them to the status of heroes. This environment was thus ideal for the development of Armenian patriotic songs to support these freedom fighters.

Meaning

Some of the songs tell the stories of individual fedayees, such as Serob Pasha and General Andranik, who confronted the Turkish onslaught. They also talk about historical battles, successful guerrilla operations, heroic deaths, and genocide, among other sensitive topics.
The songs are generally heard at Armenian gatherings. It is also seen as a way to educate the newer generation of Armenians about their history through the songs.
Armenian revolutionary songs are very popular among the youth of the Armenian diaspora.

List

Below is a list of several well-known Armenian songs. Popular current singers of these include Karnig Sarkissian, George Tutunjian, Nersik Ispiryan, Harout Pamboukjian, Berj Nakkashian, Samuel Vartanian.
Note that the English transcription of their Armenian names has been carried out in the Eastern Armenian dialect.
Original nameTranscriptionEnglish translationLyricsMusicDatePerformed byNote
Հայ քաջերHay kajerArmenian bravesNersik IspiryanNersik IspiryanHarout Pamboukjian, Nersik Ispiryan
Հասնինք ՍասունHasnink SasunWe'll Get to SasunHarout Pamboukjian
Պիտի գնանքPiti gnankWe Must GoNersik Ispiryan
Դաշնակ ԴրոDashnak DroARF member DroHrant & GayaneDedicated to Drastamat Kanayan
Ձայն տուր ով ֆիդաDzayn tur ov fidaSpeak up, fedayeeSahak Sahakyan
Քաջ ՆժդեհKaj NzhdehBrave NzhdehNersik IspiryanDedicated to Garegin Nzhdeh
Գևորգ Չավուշի հիշատակինGevorg Chavushi hishatakinIn Memory of ChavushNersik IspiryanDedicated to the memory of Kevork Chavush
Հայ ֆիդայիքHay fedayikArmenian fedayeesHarout PamboukjianDedicated to the Battle of Holy Apostles Monastery, 1901
Գինի լիցGini litsPour WineDedicated to the assassination of Talaat Pasha, one of the top men

responsible for the Armenian Genocide, by Soghomon Tehlirian
Ախպերս ու եսAkhpers u yesMy brother and I
Կովկասի քաջերKovkasi kajerCaucasian Braves
Արդյոք ովքեր ե՞նArtyok ovker enWho Are They?
Արյունոտ դրոշAryunot droshBloody Flag
ԳետաշենGetashenGetashen
Լեռան լանջինLeran lanjinOn the Slope of a Mountain
Մեր ՀայրենիքMer HayrenikOur FatherlandThe national anthem of Armenia
Զարթի՛ր, լաօZartir laoWake up, my dear
ԶեյթունցիներZeytuntsinerPeople of Zeytun
Ադանայի կոտորածըAdanayi godoradzuhThe Adana Massacre
Աքսորի երգըAksori YerkuhThe Song of a Refugee
Պանք Օթօմանի գրաւումըBank Otomani gravumeBank Ottoman TakeoverDedicated to the 1896 Ottoman Bank Takeover
Լիսբոն 5 տղոց երգըLisbon 5 Dghots Yerkuh
Մենք անկեղծ զինուոր ենքMenk Angeghdz Zinvor EnkWe Are Sincere Soldiers
Սերոբ Փաշայի երգըSerop Pashayi YerkuhThe Song of Serop Pasha
Ձայն մը հնչեց Էրզըրումի հայոց լեռներէնTsayn Muh Hnchets Erzerumi Hayots Lerneren''A call sounded from the Armenian mountains of Erzerum

https://web.archive.org/web/20160305234018/http://armcamping.com/2011/04/ergum-enq-arshavneri-yntatsqum

Lyrics