Based on a popular melody, "Kopala Studienku" and written in standard Slovak by Janko Matuska, it became known across the Slovak lands.

The song was adopted by the Slovak volunteers of 1848, who printed it as a pamphlet.

In December 1918 the first stanza became part of the national anthem of the Czechoslovak Republic.

Since 01 January 1993 the first two stanzas have constituted the national anthem of the independent Slovak Republic.

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