In 2004, Ukraine was in a political situation between bad and worse, journalistic censorship, government corruption, and the eyes of big brother Russia looming above. The Ukrainian people were sick of the people in power, sick of the old soviet rule, they wanted change. Finally, with the election of that year coming up, people had a chance to make their voices heard.
The choice was between the Kremlin-backed Yanukovych, and the opposition party’s Yushchenko, a man hoping to unite Ukraine with Europe. You’d be hard pressed to find someone who felt that Yanukovych, a man with a problematic past, yet they do exist. A majority of the public felt that Yushchenko was the right choice, and they were vocal. Even still, in the first round of the election, Yanukovych took the win with a swarm of controversy. Many of the ballots were filed incorrectly, and thus the public began to revolt against the rigged election.
People wanted their voice heard, and the band GreenJolly found a way to show it. Coming out on the precipice of the revolution, “Razom nas Bahato (Together We are Many)” quickly rose in popularity. The Ukrainian people’s feelings towards the previous government were not only represented, but chanted in this song. Fighting against a government bent against them, the people chanted and sang throughout the entirety of the revolution. All of the music videos from this song feature aspects of the Orange Revolution, as well as others, helping to show just how prominent it was during the time.
As for Yushchenko, he embraced it. Flags adorned with “TAK!” in bright Yushchenko orange were seen all over Kyiv. Support for the cause could not be any louder. Protesters embraced and sung the song enough that it managed to reach Eurovision 2005 in an edited version. While not placing terribly high, it was still quite the popular entry. Nowadays, it’s hard to find footage of the revolution without this song either faintly in the background, or represented by those flags. The history of Razom nas Bahato is ingrained in not only the revolution, but etched into the stone of Ukrainian history, as a hallmark of the country’s fight for freedom.
Ukrainian and English Translation
Razom nas bahato Nas ne podolaty Razom nas bahato Nas ne podolaty Razom nas bahato Nas ne podolaty Razom nas bahato Nas ne podolaty Fal'syfikatsiyam (Ni) Makhinatsiyam (Ni) Ponyatiyam (Ni) Ni brekhni Yushchenko (Tak) Yushchenko (Tak) Tse nash prezydent Tak! Tak! Fal'syfikatsiyam (Ni) Makhinatsiyam (Ni) Ponyatiyam (Ni) Ni brekhni Yushchenko (Tak) Yushchenko (Tak) Tse nash prezydent Tak! Tak! Razom nas bahato Nas ne podolaty Razom nas bahato Nas ne podolaty Razom nas bahato Nas ne podolaty Razom nas bahato Nas ne podolaty My ne bydlo My ne kozly My Ukrayiny Don'ky i syny Zaraz chy nikoly Hodi chekaty Razom nas bahato Nas ne podolaty My ne bydlo My ne kozly My Ukrayiny Don'ky i syny Zaraz chy nikoly Hodi chekaty Razom nas bahato Nas ne podolaty Razom nas bahato Nas ne podolaty Razom nas bahato Nas ne podolaty Chorus x3
Together we are many We can't be defeated Together we are many We can't be defeated Together we are many We can't be defeated Together we are many We can't be defeated Falsifications (No) Machinations (No) Little understandings (No) No to lies Yushchenko (Yes) Yushchenko (Yes) Is our president Yes! Yes! Falsifications (No) Machinations (No) Little understandings (No) No to lies Yushchenko (Yes) Yushchenko (Yes) Is our president Yes! Yes! Together we are many We can't be defeated Together we are many We can't be defeated Together we are many We can't be defeated Together we are many We can't be defeated We aren't beasts of burden We aren't goats We are of Ukraine Sons and daughters It's now or never Enough of waiting Together we are many Together we can't be defeated We aren't beasts of burden We aren't goats We are of Ukraine Sons and daughters It's now or never Enough of waiting Together we are many Together we can't be defeated Together we are many We can't be defeated Together we are many We can't be defeated Chorus x3