I Am Cyrus - Epic Iranian Music

Music by Farya Faraji, vocals by Farya Faraji and Kelareh Kabiri. Please note that this isn’t reconstructed music from the Achaemenid era, only modern music with an ancient theme. Cyrus was the founder of the Achaemenid Empire, the first Persian Empire in Iranian history that took over the previous Median Empire. He is widely regarded by modern Iranians to be the father of Iran, and was one of the most revered kings in Antiquity, admired by Alexander and Caesar, and seen even into the Renaissance as the model for what a king should be.

The lyrics are in Old Persian and Akkadian, the first being from what is called the CMa inscription found on Palace P of Pasargadae. From what I understand, these words may not actually date back to Cyrus’ era and would have been retroactively written after the era of Darius I. The second are from the Cyrus Cylinder, a document describing Cyrus’ taking power over the Babylonian Empire, and how he restored the temples, cults and sacred images. Due to this, the document is often proclaimed to be the first declaration of Human Rights in history, and while this is an exaggeration given that the concept of human rights did not exist back then, and the text embodies nowhere near the values promulgated by modern human rights (the *actual* text—there are false translations commonly circulated around the Internet); the Achaemenid policy of cultural and religious tolerance nevertheless remains something they were renowned for, and some current regimes 2500 years later lack behind them in this regard. This video is posted on the 29th October given that it is the national day of Cyrus in Iran, although not his actual birthday as it is unkown.

Lyrics in Old Persian:
Adam kuruš xšâya,
Thiya haxâmanišiya,
Kûruš, xšâyathiya,
Vazraka, haxâmanišiya
Wašna Auramazdaha,
Adam xšayathiya amyi,
Auramazda, xšhahiam,
Mana frabara thatyi.

I am Cyrus, King,
an Achaemenian,
Cyrus the great King,
an Achaemenian
By the grace of Ahura Mazda,
I am King

Lyrics in Akkadian:
a-na-ku mKu-ra-aŠ Šar kiŠ-Š at Šarru rabu Šarru dan-nu Š ar Babili Šar mât Š ú-me-ri ú Ak-ka-di Šar kib-ra-a-ti ir-bit-tim

mar mKa-am-bu-zi-ia Šarru rabu Šar alu An-Š á-an mar mari mKu-ra-aŠ Šarru rabu Šar alu An-Š á-an ŠA.BAL.BAL m Š i-iŠ-pi-iŠ Š arru rabu Šar alu An-Š a-an

I am Cyrus, king of the world, the great king, the powerful king, king of Babylon, king of Sumer and Akkad, king of the four quarters of the world,

Son of Cambyses, the great king, king of the city of Anshan, grandson of Cyrus, the great king, king of the city of Anshan; great-grandson of Teispes, the great king, king of the city of Anshan.

[faryafaraji]

Music by Farya Faraji, vocals by Farya Faraji and Kelareh Kabiri. Please note that this isn’t reconstructed music from the Achaemenid era, only modern music with an ancient theme. Cyrus was the founder of the Achaemenid Empire, the first Persian Empire in Iranian history that took over the previous Median Empire. He is widely regarded by modern Iranians to be the father of Iran, and was one of the most revered kings in Antiquity, admired by Alexander and Caesar, and seen even into the Renaissance as the model for what a king should be.

The lyrics are in Old Persian and Akkadian, the first being from what is called the CMa inscription found on Palace P of Pasargadae. The second are from the Cyrus Cylinder, a document describing Cyrus’ taking power over the Babylonian Empire, and how he restored the temples, cults and sacred images. Due to this, the document is often proclaimed by to be the first declaration of Human Rights in history, and while this is an exaggeration given that the concept of human rights did not exist back then, and the text embodies nowhere near the values promulgated by modern human rights (the *actual* text—there are false translations commonly circulated around the Internet); the Achaemenid policy of cultural and religious tolerance nevertheless remains something they were renowned for, and there are current regimes 2500 years later that lack behind them in this regard. This video is posted on the 29th October given that it is the national day of Cyrus in Iran, although not his actual birthday as it is unkown.

Lyrics in Old Persian:
Adam kuruš xšâya,
Thiya haxâmanišiya,
Kûruš, xšâyathiya,
Vazraka, haxâmanišiya
Wašna Auramazdaha,
Adam xšayathiya amyi,
Auramazda, xšhahiam,
Mana frabara thatyi.

I am Cyrus, King,
an Achaemenian,
Cyrus the great King,
an Achaemenian
By the grace of Ahura Mazda,
I am King

Lyrics in Akkadian:
a-na-ku mKu-ra-aŠ Šar kiŠ-Š at Šarru rabu Šarru dan-nu Š ar Babili Šar mât Š ú-me-ri ú Ak-ka-di Šar kib-ra-a-ti ir-bit-tim

mar mKa-am-bu-zi-ia Šarru rabu Šar alu An-Š á-an mar mari mKu-ra-aŠ Šarru rabu Šar alu An-Š á-an ŠA.BAL.BAL m Š i-iŠ-pi-iŠ Š arru rabu Šar alu An-Š a-an

I am Cyrus, king of the world, the great king, the powerful king, king of Babylon, king of Sumer and Akkad, king of the four quarters of the world,

Son of Cambyses, the great king, king of the city of Anshan, grandson of Cyrus, the great king, king of the city of Anshan; great-grandson of Teispes, the great king, king of the city of Anshan.

[ye-kfgg]

I abolished slavery, I ended their misery. I ordered that all people should be free to worship their God and not force them to do anything I also ordered that no one should unjustly deprive the citizens of their lives

_The Great Cyrus

[uvucyt]

𐎦𐎼𐎥𐏐𐎷
𐏁𐎣𐎹𐏐𐎭𐎼𐏐𐎶𐎹𐎠𐎴𐏐𐎥𐎺𐎿𐎳𐎴𐎭𐎠𐎴
𐏐𐎧𐎺𐎴𐎹𐎴𐏐𐎺𐏐𐏀𐎴𐎭𐏃.

[perseusofmacedon]

As a Greek I love Iranian history and I think they deserve more in this difficult time that they are going through.
🇬🇷🇮🇷

[مریمجمهوری]

I am persian and I am so proud of my country and it's great history❤🇮🇷

[alexmasic]

Iran, great culture, great history and great people!!
Love from Serbia!

[firdavsnormatov]

Im Tajik ( eastern Persian People) Love my brother Iranian (iran+tajik)=Persian People

[naser]

As a Saudi, i love Iran's history and people, despite the problems between our governments, i can never get myself to hate Iran 🇸🇦❤️🇮🇷

[ulascelik]

As an Iranic(Zaza) from Turkey, greetings to all Iranic peoples in the world.

[ragehb]

I'm an iranian, and I feel so proud to hear and be reminded of my country's great history...

[fuferito]

_“O man, whoever you are and wherever you come from, for I know you will come, I am Cyrus who won the Persians their empire. Do not therefore begrudge me this bit of earth that covers my bones.”_
-Epitaph of Cyrus the Great according to Plutarch

[IssaAdnan]

Big love from Iraq to our great neighbor Iran 🇮🇶❤️🇮🇷

[stelioschaldeos]

Glory to Persia !!! Much love fron Greece to my Iranian brothers and Sisters !!!

[asadbekjurabekov]

I am the grandson of Persians living in Central Asia (Uzbekistan). and from here I say hi to all my brothers 🇮🇷🕊

[LoverBoy-dgjb]

I am a Zoroastrian of Persian ancestry living in India. I just love my ancestral Iran and don’t pass a day without thinking about it.

Really miss our Shahenshahs so much. May Ahura Mazda grant them paradise 🤲.

[vikram_shahi]

Proud of this Farsi Emperor as an Indian.
👑 🇮🇳👏🏼🇮🇷👑
Kurush the great, Cyrus the great!

[elizabethlesslie]

Recently found out my lineage is from Iranian decent. I want to embrace my heritage and this now has opened up so many possibilities for me. Thank you from America.

[spaced___x]

This makes me feel proud to be iranian, which is funny because I'm german

[ANN-FEL]

In love with every detail of the Persian culture n can't wait to visit Iran 😍, love n peace from Algeria 🇩🇿💗

[negarahmadpour]

I'm Iranian and proud to my culture and our history, hope more people know Iran