The Toast is a song, that was written by France Prešeren in November 1844. But it wasn’t published till year 1848. In year 1991, Stanko Premrl musicalized the song for chorus and its 7th stanza became a Slovene national anthem.

This song was preserved in at least six records. In collected works of Slovenian poets and writers was in accordance with the rules published last updated authorised publication, the one from Novice (News) and Kranjska čbelica (Carniola bee) from year 1848. However they differ only in accents.

France Prešeren wrote the song as a toast, probably as an initiative of Matija Vrtovec, known as winegrower from Šentvid. The first poet was in his essay Vinske trte hvala (Grape vine thanks) addressed to write a song that will celebrate vine and wine. Thus in year 1844 was created a toast by wine novinas. The song eventually overgrew only the joy at new wine and pleasant company, and so its optimism has grown in, for that time, a bold political song. In the song he brought together the idea of friendship with desire for unity, freedom, brotherhood and mutual respect among people. From personal speech to his friends it has grown into national-patriotic song. It speaks out about Slovenian nation, its destiny and wishes of all. The song was prepared to be published in 1846 in Poezije (Poetry), but it was censored. Thus the poet himself eliminated the song, as the stanza Unity, Happiness, Reconciliation was marked as raunchy by the censor France Miklošič. For the publication of the entire song it had been necessary to wait until year 1848, when it was published after March revolution.

1.
The vintage, friends, is over,
And here sweet wine makes, once again,
Sad eyes and hearts recover,
Puts fire into every vein.
Drowns dull care
Everywhere
And summons hope out of despair.

2.
To whom with acclamation
And song shall we our first toast give?
God save our land and nation
And all Slovenes where’er they live,
Who own the same
Blood and name,
And who one glorious Mother claim.

3.
Let thunder out of heaven
Strike down and smite our wanton foe!
Now, as it once had thriven,
May our dear realm in freedom grow.
May fall the last
Chains of the past
Which bind us still and hold us fast!

4.
Let peace, glad conciliation,
Come back to us throughout the land!
Towards their destination
Let Slavs henceforth go hand-in-hand!
Thus again
Will honour reign
To justice pledged in our domain.

5.
To you, our pride past measure,
Our girls! Your beauty, charm and grace!
There surely is no treasure
To equal maidens of such race.
Sons you’ll bear,
Who will dare
Defy our foe no matter where.

6.
Our hope now, our to-morrow –
The youths – we toast and toast with joy.
No poisonous blight or sorrow
Your love of homeland shall destroy.
With us indeed
You’re called to heed
Its summons in this hour of need.

7.
God’s blessing on all nations,
Who long and work for that bright day,
When o’er earth’s habitations
No war, no strife shall hold its sway;
Who long to see
That all men free
No more shall foes, but neighbours be.

8.
At last to our reunion –
To us the toast! Let it resound,
Since in this gay communion
By thoughts of brotherhood we’re bound
May joyful cheer
Ne’er disappear
From all good hearts now gathered here.

See other texts about Slovenia!

France Prešeren
France Prešeren is the greatest Slovenian poet, who was born on 3. December 1800 in village Vrba, he died on 8. February 1849 in Kranj. France Prešeren was born into peasant family in Vrba on Gorenjska. In year 1844 he wrote poem Toast, which 7th stanza is today Slovenian national anthem. [_Read more_]

SLOVENE NATIONAL ANTHEM
France Prešeren – A Toast
The Toast is a song, that was written by France Prešeren in November 1844. But it wasn’t published till year 1848. In year 1991, Stanko Premrl musicalized the song for chorus and its 7th stanza became a Slovene national anthem. [_Read more_]