Morq-e sahar

Morq-e Sahar (Persian: مرغ سحر, often romanised as Morgh-e Sahar, variously translated as Dawn Bird, Bird of the Morning, The Nightingale) is an Iranian tasnif often sung in protest of injustices, dictatorship and tyranny in Iran. Often regarded as the "anthem" of struggles for freedom in Iran, the tasnif was written by Mohammad-Taqi Bahar and composed by Morteza Neidavoud in the early 20th century under the wake of Iranian constitutional revolution. The song's lyrics centre on the metaphor of the bird of dawning or morning that initiates a lament. As the song progresses, it appeals to the caged bird to sing and break free, symbolising the termination of a period of oppression ("night") and the commencement of liberation ("day"). Whilst the first stanza of Morqe Sahar has been described as more lyrical, the second stanza has been described as "dealing with social and political issues". The second stanza was banned by Reza Shah Pahlavi from 1925 until his forced abdication in 1941. This came after the song was performed at a home gathering of the Shah's minister Teymourtash, during which the Shah heard the song. According to a Kayhan article, the second stanza was sung at private parties, where the atmosphere was more suited to political debate in comparison to the preceding stanza that was often sung publicly.