For this year’s Yom HaZikaron (Memorial Day), a new musical project commemorates what they fell for: for life, for the country, for the future.

The “Hineni” (“Here I Am”) project was created in the midst of the war – a collection of original works expressing strength, hope, and love for Israel.

The first song in the collection is titled “My Beloved Land.” The lyrics are by Michal Pinhasi, a soldier in the Northern Command who grew up on the border with Lebanon.

“I lived in Kibbutz Yiron and now I live in Yesod HaMa’ala,” Pinhasi says. “Now I serve in the Northern Command, defending the places that are my homeland – I defend my home.”

She wrote the song out of a deep love for Israel: “A country that has fought for its survival since its founding and, despite all odds, has continued to triumph.”

The music was composed by Rotem Shafran and Ilay Salomon, two soldiers from the army bands.

Here are the full English lyrics – a moving message to our beloved country:

My beloved country / Army Bands – Lyrics

My beloved country,
lift your head
and don’t be afraid of all those who scream
and only want to demand.

Dress yourself in summer colors,
wipe away your tears,
everything they have destroyed in you,
you can now rebuild.

My strong country,
it just hurts so much,
how every tear of a child
tears the heart,
and a mother’s silent prayer –
one more moment, and it’s over.
Outside, the fire blazes,
but we are stronger than anything.

My green country,
among all the screams –
don’t believe them for a moment,
those who sow doubt in you.
Call out to all your enemies:
May they go to hell!
Stand firm in the face of fire,
with an iron dome over your head.

My mighty land,
it hurts so much,
how every tear of a child
tears the heart,
and a mother’s silent prayer—
one more moment, and it’s over.

The fire blazes outside,
but we are stronger than anything.

My little land,
what are you worried about?
We will not allow anyone
to harm the wonders you guard.

Lift your head,
see—we stand by your side,
my beloved land,
in the face of all dangers,
I have sworn eternal loyalty to you.