"Ey Irân" (ای ایران) | Iranian Patriotic Song

"Ey Irân" (Persian: ای ایران) is an Iranian patriotic song that serves as the country's unofficial national anthem. The music was composed by Ruhollâh Xâleqi, and the lyrics were written by Hossein Gol-e-Golâb. This anthem was first performed by Qolâm-Hossein Banân.

The song's history dates back to World War II in Iran. In September 1941, the Allied Forces occupied the country following the Anglo-Soviet invasion of Iran. The idea of this poem inspired the poet when he saw the Allied flags waving from the military barracks and the deplorable situation of the country. One day when visiting Xâleqi, Golgolâb witnessed a clash between two Iranian and British soldiers. When Golgolâb recounted the incident, he wanted to write a poem to keep Iran and the Iranian spirit alive in it. Xâleqi decided to compose the song and Banân would sing the poem.