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Vruchanie, in Rusin, Dedication, English,
by Alexander Basil Duchnovich.  This poem
was considered the National Credo of the
Rusin people but  it is now the Rusin National
Anthem.  Photo, taken before 1970, was of
the bronze bust of Duchnovich at the Rusin
Cultural Garden, Cleveland, Ohio.  
    In Rusin:

    Ja Rusyn byl, jesm' i budu.
    Ja rodilsja Rusinom.
    Cestnyj moj rod, ne zabudu.
    Ostanus' jeho synom.

    Rusyn byl moj Otec, Mati,
    Russkaja vsja rodina,
    Rusyny sestry i bratja
    I siroka druzina.

    Veliki mos rod i hlavniji.
    Miru jest sovremennij.
    Duchom i siloju slavni
    Vsim narodom priemni.

    Ja svit uzril pos Beskydom.
    Perviji vozduh Russki ssal,
    Ja Kormilsja russkim chlibom
    Rusyn mene kolisal.

    Koli pervi raz otvoril rot,
    Russkoje slovov prorek.
    Na az-buki pervij moj pot
    Z molodoho chola tek.

    Russkim potom ja pitan byl,
    Russkim ishol razholdon,
    V siroki svit: no ne zabul
    So svojim znaticija rodom.

    I teper kto pitajet mja?
    Kto kormit?  Kto mija derzit?
    Samoje russkoje plemja
    Moju Hodnost soderzit!

    Proto tebe o rode moj
    Klenusja zivim Bohom
    Zapechalni pot i trud tvoj.
    Pominusja dolhom.

    I otdam ti kolko mohu:
    Primi toj sciri darok,
    Primi vot malanku knihu
    I sej pismencej rjadok.

    Procee ze ne zabudu,
    Serca mojeho skruhu.
    Pozertvovat ja tvoj budu
    Tvojim druhom i umru.
    In English, a literal translation:

    I was, am, and will be Rusyn.  
    I was born a Rusyn.
    I will not forget my honorable lineage.
    I will remain its son.

    Rusyn were my father, mother,
    Rusyn my entire family,
    Rusyn my sisters and brothers
    And wide circle of friends.

    Great is my birth and proud.
    To peace it is dedicated.
    In soul and strength blessed
    By all people beloved.

    I saw the world under the Beskids
    My first breath was Rusyn,
    I was fed Rusyn bread
    A Rusyn rocked me.

    When for the first time I opened my mouth,
    I spoke Rusyn words.
    Over the alphabet the first sweat
    Ran down my young forehead.

    With Rusyns later I was associated,
    With Rusyns I went wandering
    Into the wide world: no I did not forget
    About my beloved people.

    And now who asks me?
    Who feeds me?  Who watches over me?
    The same Rusyn spirit
    My being nourishes.

    For you oh my people
    I pray to the living God
    Your recorded oppression and hardship,
    I will long remember.

    I will give back as much as I am able:
    Accept this heartfelt gift,
    Accept this small book
    And this written verse.

    So that I will not forget,
    I will strengthen my heart.
    Your faithful servant I will be
    Your friend I will die.
"A people ignorant of their past,
cannot call themselves a people."  
"Carpatho-Ruthenians, arise from
your profound sleep.  The voice of
the nation is calling you.  Do not
forget your own."  
Alexander B. Duchnovich
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