Hamid Sabzevari: The Poet Who Gave Voice to Iran’s Revolution
How Hamid Sabzevari’s Verses Became the Heartbeat of the Islamic Revolution
It was a cold February morning in 1979 when the streets of Tehran pulsed with anticipation. Millions gathered to witness the return of Imam Khomeini after 14 years in exile, and as the crowds surged, the air was filled with the stirring words of Hamid Sabzevari’s poem, “Khomeini, O Imam.” Though unpublished at the time, these verses had already traveled quietly through revolutionary circles, shared on cassette tapes during the final days of the Pahlavi regime. Sabzevari’s poetry became the emotional soundtrack of the Islamic Revolution, capturing the spirit of sacrifice, defiance, and hope for a new Iran.
Early Life: A Poet Born of Resistance
Born Hossein Aqa-Momtaheni in 1926 in Sabzevar, northeastern Iran, Sabzevari’s early years were shaped by hardship and political turmoil. The Anglo-Soviet invasion of Iran in 1941 and the resulting social upheaval left a deep mark on his young mind. At just 14, he began writing poetry, channeling his outrage at injustice into a notebook he called “Faryad Nameh” (“Book of Laments”). Even before the revolution, his verses echoed the struggles and silent suffering of the Iranian people, establishing him as a voice of resistance.
Poetry as a Tool for Change
Sabzevari was a master of classical Persian forms, but he believed poetry should be more than just art—it should be a force for political and social change. For him, revolution began in the hearts and minds of ordinary people, and poetry was a way to awaken and mobilise them. In the lead-up to the 1979 revolution, his poems became rallying cries, offering comfort and inspiration to those fighting oppression. Many of his works were transformed into revolutionary anthems, including the famous “USA, USA, Shame on Your Deceits!” which captured the nation’s anger during the US embassy takeover in Tehran.
After the revolution, Sabzevari continued to write, penning “This is the call of freedom from the Orient,” a celebration of Iran’s newfound independence and dignity.
A Revolutionary Voice for the People
Sabzevari’s poetry chronicled the struggles, victories, and losses of the Iranian people. When Imam Khomeini declared the last Friday of Ramadan as Quds Day, Sabzevari responded with the powerful poem “Hampay-e Jellodar” (“Marching Forward in Unison”), earning praise from Khomeini himself. During the Iran-Iraq War, Sabzevari visited the front lines, composing “Blessed Is This Victory” after the liberation of Khorramshahr—a poem that became a national anthem of resilience.
He also wrote elegies for revolutionary leaders and martyrs, turning personal and national grief into a renewed commitment to the ideals of the revolution.
A Literary Bond with Ayatollah Khamenei
In his later years, Sabzevari developed a close relationship with Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei, the Leader of the Islamic Revolution. The two shared a passion for literature and revolutionary ideals, often meeting at Sabzevari’s home for poetry gatherings. At Khamenei’s encouragement, Sabzevari published his collected works, with the Leader himself writing the introductions. Ayatollah Khamenei praised Sabzevari as a poet whose words gave the revolution a lasting literary legacy.
Hamid Sabzevari passed away on June 12, 2016, in Tehran, but his poetry endures. His verses, shaped by conviction and integrity, continue to inspire, reminding the world that words can move people, shape history, and define a generation.
Source: PressTV