: Adrian Păunescu's verses added the idea that hearts, not just swords, achieved the Great Union: "Nu săbii făcură Unirea, ci inimi" .
: As the heir to this cultural legacy, Andrei Păunescu continues to perform and record the song. His version, released officially on platforms like Spotify in 2018, includes the full set of verses attributed to his father. 3. Key Themes & Lyrics
: The first historical record of the song dates to February 1919, when it was sung by members of the Romanian Legion of Transylvanian-Bukovinian Volunteers . 2. The Păunescu Family's Revival (1970s–Present) Andrei Paunescu Treceti Batalioane Romane Carpatii
: The song is a Romanian military march thought to have been composed around 1916 , just before Romania's entry into World War I.
: Through this itinerant cultural movement, Adrian Păunescu popularized the song in stadiums across Romania, turning it into a staple of national pride. : Adrian Păunescu's verses added the idea that
: The initial version, consisting of only three stanzas, depicts Romanian soldiers saying goodbye to their families to cross the mountains into Transylvania to fight for national unification.
The song’s modern popularity is largely due to its "revival" during the communist period by the Păunescu family. The Păunescu Family's Revival (1970s–Present) : The song
This guide explores the historical and cultural significance of the Romanian patriotic song (Cross, Romanian Battalions, the Carpathians), with a focus on the contributions of Andrei Păunescu and his father, Adrian Păunescu . 1. Historical Origins (1916–1919)