Gone you sons of darkness Gone you tyrants of old From the land where we hear lautari playing Here in the outfield of europe A cry for freedom was heard Rang out to the world And we all stood watching Hold the light Keep it burning so bright For the children Copii romania Must they live so long in the shadows Copii romania Will we turn and say Like many times before We did not know? Once there was a proud people Filled with laughter and song Could they feel something wrong Through the air was blowing? Here by the mighty karpatii The fight for freedom began The fight for life still goes on But no-one listens any more Hold the light Keep it burning so bright For the children Copii romania Must they live so long in the shadows Copii romania Will we turn and say Like many times before We did not know?