It is thought to have been composed in 1916, shortly before Romania's entry into World War I, although its first historical apparition occurred in February 1919, when members of the Romanian Legion of Transylvanian–Bukovinian Volunteers were recorded singing a version of the song.
The original version (with 3 stanzas) is about how Romanian soldiers say goodbye to their families and go to Transylvania to fight against the Austro-Hungarian Empire for the unification of the region with the Kingdom of Romania.
[1] There is a theory that the author was possibly Iosif Romulus Botto [ro], who composed around 30 other choirs and fanfares about Transylvania and Banat during the interwar period.
Nainte, 'nainte cu sabia-n mână Hotarul nedrept să-l zdrobim Să trecem Carpații, ne trebuie Ardealul De-o fi se ne-ngropăm de vii Cross, Romanian battalions, the Carpathians To arms with leaves and flowers Victory is awaiting you, brothers are too With their hearts in the passes [of the Carpathians]
Nainte, 'nainte spre marea Unire Hotarul nedrept să-l zdrobim Să trecem Carpații, ne trebuie Ardealul De-o fi se ne-ngropăm de vii
Nu săbii făcură Unirea, ci inimi Spre Alba cu toții mergeam Toți oamenii țării semnau întregirea Voința întregului neam