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Olympic Hymn, played as flag is hoisted, composed for 1896 Games

The Olympic Hymn, by Greek poet Costis Palamas, with music by Spyros Samaras, was played at the first modern Olympics in Athens in 1896: O immortal ancient Spirit, inviolate Father of all that is lovely, true, or great Come earthwards, show thyself, send lightning nigh To robe in glory thine own land and sky. Be it at grapple, or hurl of disk, or course, Give luster to the noble contest’s force: And with thy branch of olive e’er fresh Crown and make worthy, and hard as iron, the flesh. Mountain and plain and ocean with thee shine Like a colossal white-and-porphyry shrine: And to that shrine to worship, runs apace (O immortal ancient Spirit) the human race. Newly translated by Richart Witt.

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