FLAGS in National Anthems and Patriotic Songs, Part II

In continuation with my earlier Post titled "Flags in National Anthems and Patriotic Songs (Commonwealth Member Countries)", I shall endeavor to present here and in subsequent issues "Anthems and Patriotic Songs" from rest of the world which contains reference to "Flags" and are also found space in the field of Philately.

Antigua and Barbuda (Members of the Commonwealth Group of Nations)

"Fair Antigua, We Salute Thee" is the the national Anthem of Antigua and Barbuda,  penned by Novelle Hamilton Richards and composed by Walter Garnet Picart Chambers, it was adopted upon independence in 1967.


The anthem extolled:
“Fair Antigua and Barbuda We thy sons and daughters …. Raise the

standard! Raise it boldly! Answer now to duty call: To the service of 

your country....”

Albania  

Himni i Flamurit (Hymn to the Flag) is the national anthem of Albania. Penned by Asdreni (Aleksandër Stavre Drenova). It was first published in 1912 as a poem titled Ëndra e lotë (Dreams and tears) in the  Liri e Shqipërisë (Freedom of Albania), a newspaper published from in Sofia, Bulgaria. The music was composed by the  Romanian composer Ciprian  Porumbescu.

“Rreth flamurit perbashkuar” (The flag in the battle unites us) and continues “found us all ready for the oath, one mind, one aim, until our land becomes free from enemy”

Algeria

Qassam (We Swear) is the national anthem of Algeria. Adopted in 1963. The lyrics by Mufdi Zakariah. The music was composed by Mohamed Fawzi, of Egypt.
  The Anthem commences “We swear by the lightning that destroys … By the streams of generous blood  being shed, by bright flags that wave, flying proudly on the high djebel (mountain)”

Armenia

"Mer Hayrenik" (Our Fatherland) , the Armenian Anthem was adopted in1991, it is based on the anthem of the Democratic Republic of Armenia (1918-1922), but with different lyrics. The lyrics of the anthem is adapted version of "The Song of the Italian girl" by Mikael Nalbandian. Music was set by composer Barsegh Kanachyan (1885-1967).

Here is a flag for you, my brother,
That I have sewed
Over the sleepless nights,
And bathed in my tears.

Aruba

Aruba Dushi Tera (Aruba Precious Country ) written in Papiamento, is the  anthem of Aruba. It is a waltz written by Juan Chabaya Lampe and composed by Rufo Wever. It was adopted in 1976.

It contains:
“….Bo escudo y bandera ta
orguyo di nos tur!”
 translated  “….your coat of arms and flag is the proudness of our all!

Azerbaijan

Azərbaycan Marşı is the national anthem of Azerbaijan, the original title of which was March of Azerbaijan.  The words were written by the poet Ahmad Javad in 1918, and the music was composed by Azeri composer Uzeyir Hajibeyov The patriotic song was re-adopted as national anthem after the fall of Communist rule in 1990.

“….. To raise your banner,
And uphold your honor,
All the youth are eager.
Cherished land, Cherished land.
Azerbaijan! Azerbaijan!
In accordance with Azerbaijani law, there are no official translations of the anthem.(Source Wikipedia free library).

 The obverse of the Azerbaijani 5 manat banknote issued in 2006 depicts writers, poets, and books from Azerbaijan with an excerpt of the national anthem

Belarus

"My Belarusy" is the “State Anthem of the Republic of Belarus". The anthem was originally written  by Mikhas Klimkovich and adopted in 1955 for use in the Byelorussian Soviet Socialist Republic. The music was composed by Niescier Sakałoŭski. After the collapse of the USSR new lyrics were written by Klimkovich and Uladzimir Karyzny in 2002. The lyrics of the anthem now sing the banner of victory, the banner of sunshine;
“Peoples’ friendship is peoples’ strength and
Our sacred sunlit way.
Fly proudly in the clear skies,
The banner of victory, the banner of sunshine!”

 Anthem of the Byelorussian SSR sung during Soviet period “….In struggles for freedom, in struggles for fate, We have gained our banner of victories. We were united by the name of Lenin The Party leads us in the quest to happiness Glory to the Party! Glory to the Motherland! Glory to you,Belarusian people”.

Belgium

The “Brabançonne” (Song of Brabant) is the anthem of Belgium. The anthem has a French, a Dutch and a German version. The song was written during the Belgian Revolution, by a young revolutionary named Jenneval. And underwent many changes, the present version was adapted in 1938.  The song was composed by François Van Campenhout .

The English translation of the French text reads as follows;
After centuries of slavery, Belgians arising from the tomb, Have gained by their courage Their name, rights and flag. And you proud sovereign hand, unconquerable people, shall blazon on your ancient banner: For King, and Law, and Liberty.

 

 “The Brabançonne” is also a monument (1930) by the sculptor Charles Samuel on the Surlet de Chokier square at Brussels. The monument contains partial lyrics of both the French and Dutch versions of the anthem.

Benin (Dahomey).

L'Aube Nouvelle (The New Dawn ) is the national anthem of Benin. Written and composed by Gilbert Jean Dagnon, adopted in 1960. The second verse of three intones;
When all around there blows a wind of anger and hate:
Citizen of Benin be proud, and in a calm spirit
Trusting in the future, behold your flag!
In the green you read hope of spring;
The red signifies the courage of your ancestors;
The yellow foretells the greatest treasures.

 The flag was adopted in 1959, abandoned in 1975 and re-introduced in 1990

 

Biafra.

 "Land of the Rising Sun" was the declared national anthem of the secessionist Nigerian state of Biafra. The tune was adopted from Sibelius' "Finlandia". (Note: It had no connection with  the Japanese anthem Kimi ga Yo)

 “…The waving standard which emboldens the free
Shall always be our flag of liberty….”

                                                          

Bolivia

Bolivianos, el Hado Propicio (A most Favorable Destiny) is the national anthem of Bolivia , adopted in 1845. José Ignacio de Sanjinés, a signer of both the Bolivian Declaration of Independence and the first Bolivian Constitution, wrote the lyrics. The music was composed by an Italian, Leopoldo Benedetto Vincenti.

 The second verse of three states
“her flung banners find glorious expression, we are free! Sons, whom mighty (Simon) Boliver shall call his own… If dishonoured their flag shall ever be.”

 Brazil

The Brazilian national anthem Hino Nacional Brasileiro was composed by Francisco Manuel da Silva in 1822 and lyrics by Osório Duque-Estrada written in 1909 has a flag related verse reading  “Brazil ! May thy Star-Sprinkled Banner of gold and green speak to us ever of peace… Brazil, when thy limpid skies so calmly smiling and serene the glory of the Southern Cross shines above."

 

Francisco Manuel da Silva

 

 Hino à Bandeira Nacional, is an hymn dedicated to the National flag. The lyrics were written by poet Olavo Bilac, and the music composed by Francisco Braga. It is  performed on November 19 (Flag Day). The English translations

Hail, precious banner of hope!

Hail, august symbol of peace! ....

In thy beauteous bosom portraits

This sky of purest blue,

The impaired greenness of these forests,

And the splendor of the Southern Cross.

…..

Hovers always the sacred flag,

Pavilion of justice and love!

                                                                                     

Central African Republic

"La Renaissance" (Rebirth) is the national anthem of the Central African Republic, Adopted in 1960. The words were written by the then Prime Minister, Barthélémy Boganda. The music was composed by Herbert Pepper, who also composed the national anthem of Senegal, "Pincez Tous vos Koras, Frappez les Balafons".

 To work! In order and dignity,
in the respect for rights and in unity,
Breaking poverty and tyranny,
Holding high the flag of the Fatherland.
There is also a version in the Sango language entitled "E Zingo"

Costa Rica

"Himno Nacional de Costa Rica" is the national anthem of Costa Rica. It was originally adopted in 1853, with the music composed by Manuel María Gutiérrez. Words penned by José María Zeledón Brenes were added in 1900.

Noble patria, tu hermosa bandera
expresión de tu vida nos da;
bajo el límpido azul de tu cielo
blanca y pura descansa la paz.

Translated;  “Noble country, thy beautiful banner is for us a symbol of thy life.”

Curaçao.

Himno di Kòrsou is the national anthem of Curaçao.

 The Flag theme is best summed up by the fifth stanza  which goes:
“….Our fatherland we demonstrate
honour and loyalty,
as we do to the flag
the union of our nation”.