Lyrics
| Original Greek |
Transliterated into Latin alphabet |
- Αρχαίο Πνεύμα αθάνατο, αγνέ πατέρα
- του ωραίου, του μεγάλου και του αληθινού,
- Κατέβα, φανερώσου κι άστραψε εδώ πέρα
- στη δόξα της δικής σου γης και τ' ουρανού.
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- Στο δρόμο και στο πάλεμα και στο λιθάρι
- Στων ευγενών αγώνων λάμψε την ορμή
- Και με το αμάραντο στεφάνωσε κλωνάρι
- και σιδερένιο πλάσε και άξιο το κορμί. (δις)
-
- Κάμποι, βουνά και θάλασσες φέγγουνε μαζί σου
- σαν ένας λευκοπόρφυρος μέγας ναός.
- Και τρέχει στο ναό εδώ προσκυνητής σου (δις)
- Αρχαίο Πνεύμα αθάνατο, κάθε λαός. (δις)
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- Arkhéo Pnévma athánato, aghné patéra
- tou oréou, tou meghálou ke tou alithinoú
- Katéva, fanerósou ki ástrapse edhó péra
- sti dhóksa tis dhikís sou ghis kai t'ouranoú.
-
- Sto dhrómo ke sto pálema kai sto lithári
- Ston evghenón aghónon lámpse tin ormí.
- Ke me to amáranto stefánose klonári
- kai sidherénio pláse ke áksio to kormí. (twice)
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- Kámpi, vouná ke thálasses féngoune mazí sou
- san énas lefkopórfyros méghas naós
- Ke trékhi sto naó edhó proskynitís sou (twice)
- Arkhéo Pnévma athánato, káthe laós. (twice)
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| English translation (literal) |
English translation (free) |
- O Ancient immortal Spirit, pure father
- Of beauty, of greatness and of truth,
- Descend, reveal yourself and flash like lightning here,
- within the glory of your own earth and sky.
-
- At running and at wrestling and at throwing,
- Shine in the momentum of noble contests,
- And crown with the unfading branch
- And make the body worthy and ironlike. (twice)
-
- Plains, mountains and seas glow with you
- Like a white-and-purple great temple,
- And hurries at the temple here, your pilgrim, (twice)
- O Ancient immortal Spirit, every nation. (twice)
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- Immortal spirit of antiquity
- Father of the true, beautiful and good
- Descend, appear, shed over us thy light
- Upon this ground and under this sky
- Which has first witnessed thy unperishable fame
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- Give life and animation to these noble games!
- Throw wreaths of fadeless flowers to the victors
- In the race and in the strife
- Create in our breasts, hearts of steel!
-
- In thy light, plains, mountains and seas
- Shine in a roseate hue and form a vast temple
- To which all nations throng to adore thee
- Oh immortal spirit of antiquity!
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| English sung version |
- Olympian flame immortal
- Whose beacon lights our way
- Emblaze our hearts with the fires of hope
- On this momentous day
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- As now we come across the world
- To share these Games of old
- Let all the flags of every land
- In brotherhood unfold
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- Sing out each nation, voices strong
- Rise up in harmony
- All hail our brave Olympians
- With strains of victory
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- Olympic light burn on and on
- O'er seas and mountains and plains
- Unite, inspire, bring honor
- To these ascending games
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- May valor reign victorious
- Along the path of golden way
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- As tomorrow's new champions now come forth
- Rising to the fervent spirit of the game
- Let splendour pervade each noble deed
- Crowned with glory and fame
-
- And let fraternity and fellowship
- Surround the soul of every nation
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- Oh flame, eternal in your firmament so bright
- Illuminate us with your everlasting light
- That grace and beauty and magnificence
-
- Shine like the sun
- Blazing above
- Bestow on us your honor, truth and love
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| Note: This version, although often performed at opening/closing ceremonies, appears to enjoy far less exposure than the original. Hence its words may be determined only by listening to performances; correspondents will most probably disagree on the correct form. An alternate ending to the lyrics (used at the opening ceremony of the Los Angeles Olympics) was, "Bestow on us the wondrous prize of honor, truth and love." |
If the anthem is to be performed in English, then the English sung version is used, which has been usually in English-speaking countries. If it is to be performed in a language other than English or Greek, then the original version is translated to the language it is to be performed. The only Olympic games in which lyrics of the English version were used in translation were the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. Donovan Seidle, associate music director during the games, arranged the anthem, translating some of the stanzas to French in recognition of the official bilingualism in Canada.