Himni i Flamurit (in English: Hymn to the Flag) is the national anthem of Albania. The words were written by the Albanian poet Asdreni (Aleksander Stavre Drenova). The hymn was first published as a poem in Liri e Shqipërisë (in English: Freedom of Albania), an Albanian newspaper in Sofia, Bulgaria on April 21, 1912. It was later printed in a volume of poems by Drenova titled Ëndra e lotë (in English: Dreams and tears), which was published in Bucharest. The music of the anthem was composed by the Romanian composer Ciprian Porumbescu, originally for the song "Pe-al nostru steag e scris Unire" (or "E scris pe tricolor unire"). Lyrics & Translation: Rreth flamurit të përbashkuar Me një dëshir' e një qëllim, Të gjith' atje duke u betuar Të lidhim besën për shpëtim. Around our flag we are united, With but one will and one desire, A sacred oath are now proclaiming For our salvation to aspire. Prej lufte veç ai largohet Që është lindur tradhëtor, Kush është burrë nuk frikësohet, Po vdes, po vdes si një dëshmor! May only those avoid the struggle, Those who are traitors to our laws, Undaunted is a hero through and through, He dies a martyr to the cause. Në dorë armët do t'i mbajmë, Të mbrojmë atdheun në çdo kënd, Të drejtat tona ne s'i ndajmë; Këtu armiqtë s'kanë vënd! With weapons in our hands a-brandished, We will defend our fatherland, Our sacred rights well not relinquish, The foe has no place in our land. Se Zoti vetë e tha me gojë Që kombe shuhen përmbi dhé, Po Shqipëria do të rrojë; Për të, për të luftojmë ne! For God has told the world, proclaiming: The nations of the earth shall wane, And yet will live, will thrive Albania. For her our fight wont be in vain.