FLAGS in National Anthems and Patriotic Songs, Part- VII

Palestine

Fida'I  (Revolutionist‎) is the “Anthem of the Palestinian revolution". It was adopted in 1996. Written by Said Al Muzayin (Aka Fata Al Thawra), and its music was composed by Egyptian maestro Ali Ismael. The song commences with the words:  Biladi Biladi (My country, my country) and the last stanza goes with:

“By the oath under the shade of the flag
By my land and nation, and the fire of pain
I will live as a Revolutionist*, I will remain a Revolutionist,
I will end as a Revolutionist - until my country returns”.

Philippines

The Philippine National Anthem lyrics has three versions- "Lupang Hinirang" in Tagalog language (1948) penned by Felipe Padilla de Leon
The anthem music was composed by Julian Felipe in 1898. The stamps above features Julian Felipe, the anthem composer, with Jose Palma.

 The anthem in Spanish version "Filipinas" was written by Jose Palma in 1899,  

  "Philippine Hymn" the anthem in English version (1938) was written by Camilo Osias.
Presently, only the anthem in Tagalog version is used throughout Philippines.
The first and second verses and the chorus of the Lupang Hinirang allude to the light of the sun and stars in the flag; the fourth verse states “Thy banner, dear to all our hearts, its sun and stars alight, O never shall its shinning field be dimmed by Tyrant’s might”.
 
Portugal
A Portuguesa  is the national anthem of Portugal. Composed by Alfredo Keil  and written by Henrique Lopes de Mendonca during the resurgent nationalist movement ignited by the 1890British ultimatum to Portugal concerning its African colonies. It was adopted as the national anthem of the newborn Portiguse Republic in 1911, replacing O Hino da Carta  the anthem of the deposed  monarchy.

 Portugal celebrated the 100^th anniversary of the first performance of its national anthem in 1990.

The anthem proclaims;
“Unfurl the unconquering flag in the bright light of your sky! Cry out to all Europe and the whole world that Portugal has not perished”.
 

Romania

Trei culori (Three colours) was the national anthem of Romania from 1977 until 1989. Since the anti-communist Revolution of 1989 it has been replaced by Deşteaptă-te, Române! (1989-present). Trei culori  was written by Ciprian Porumbescu, as the name suggests the anthem had a  direct reference to the Romanian tricoloured national flag. 

The song had the following wordings (variously translated);

Three colours I know in the world

And I hold them like a holy jewel

They are colours with an ancient fame

Reminders of a brave nation.

As long as in the sky and in the world

There will be these three colours

We'll have a glorious name

And a glorious future.

Red is the bravery's fire

Sacrifices that won't ever be lost

Yellow, the plain's gold

And blue is our sky.

Envelope with the score of Porumbescu's "Trei Culori" (in use-1977-1990) issued in 1977.

Even Te Slăvim Românie (We glorify thee, Romania) which was the national anthem during the period between 1953 and 1977 mentioned the Flag. 

São Tomé and Príncipe
“Independência Total” is the national anthem of São Tomé and Príncipe. The anthem, adopted in 1975, was written by Alda Neves da Graça do Espírito Santo and composed by Manuel dos Santos Barreto de Sousa e Almeida.

In the crusade of the African peoples,
Raising the national flag.
Voice of the people, present, present and united.

Saudi Arabia
The “Al- Salaam al-Mamlaki al- Saud”,  the Royal Salute of Saudi Arabia  was adopted in 1950 and then again in 1984 with a change in lyrics. The original lyrics (1950) were written by Mohammed Talat while the new lyrics (1984) were written by Ibrahim Khafaji.
 
“Hasten to glory and supremacy!
Glorify the Creator of the heavens
And raise the green, fluttering flag,
Carrying the emblem of Light!
Repeat - God is greatest!
O my country,
My country, may you always live,
The glory of all Muslims!
Long live the King,
For the flag and the country!”

(To be continued)

FLAGS in National Anthems and Patriotic Songs, Part - VI

It is not an easy task to make a comprehensive 'List of Anthems'

 having Flag reference in them, at the same time finding relevant 

Philatelic items for the same. The matter is further complicated as  

some Anthems do not have Titles; many simply are called "The 

Anthems of such and such Country", some Anthems do not have 

words, but are simply musical compositions. Study on Anthems 

presents many of the problems found in Flag research. Some 

Embassies/High Commissions do not give reply, information 

available in web sites are not necessarily authentic. Keeping all 

these constraints in mind I endeavour to present here my 

selection of next lot of Anthems having "FLAG" reference.

(To day we shall take up the Anthems of the countries in the alphabetical order of 'M' and 'O')

Macedonia

Denes nad Makedonija  is the national anthem of the Republic of Macedonia. It was composed by Todor Skalovski and the lyrics were written by Vlado Maleski in 1941

“Today over Macedonia, is being born

 the new sun of liberty. …

   …….  Now once again the flag flies”

Mali

Le Mali (popularly known as Pour l'Afrique et pour toi, is the national anthem of Mali. Written in French by Seydou Badian Kouyaté and the music composed by Banzoumana Sissoko. Adopted as the national anthem in 1962
Banzoumana Sissoko, The composer

Seydou Badian Kouyaté, the writer

The relevant verse translated as;

"For Africa and for you, Mali,

Our banner shall be liberty".

Monaco

Hymne Monégasque is Monaco's national anthem. Théophile Bellando de Castro wrote the  original lyrics of the 1st edition of Hymne Monégasque in 1841, later it underwent many changes and finally in 1931 Louis Notari wrote the present lyrics in Monegasque language and composed the music.

"Forever, in our land,

One flag has flown in the wind

Forever, the colours red and white

Have symbolised our liberty

Great and small [people] have always respected them".
Nicaragua

  Salve a ti, Nicaragua (Hail to thee, Nicaragua) is the Nicaraguan national anthem. The lyrics were written by Salomón Ibarra Mayorga, and the musical arrangement is by Luis A. Delgadillo.The Nicaraguan anthem is one of the only anthems in Latin America that speaks of peace instead of war.

Luis Abraham Delgadillo.(Issued in the International Year of Music-1985)

 An English translation; 

“The thunder of cannon calls thy people no longer to war, 

 and thy banner, twin-coloured, flies proudly,

stained with blood of thy children no more….. 

Honour, undimmed, thy shining ensign remains”.

Another English translation;

"Hail to thee, Nicaragua! On thy land
roars the voice of the cannon no more,
nor does the blood of brothers now stain
thy glorious bi-coloured  banner".

Oman

                    Nashid as-Salaam as-Sultani (Sultan's National Anthem)  It was adopted in 1970 and amended on November 6, 1996. The transliteration of the anthem follows.

 “May his independence be preserved, his banners perpetual giving their shade over Islam and Muslims”

 (To be continued)

FLAGs in National Anthems and Patriotic Songs, Part- VI

Today, I shall discuss the reference of 'Flag' in the anthems of Ireland, Jordon, Kyrgyzstan and Lebanon, the famous popular song dedicated to the flag of Japan, "Hi No Maru" and a prophetic song which predicted the Jews colours long before even State of Israel came into being.

                 

IRELAND

  "Amhrán na bhFiann" (The Soldiers' Song) is the national anthem of Ireland. The music was written in 1907 by Peadar Kearney, who also composed the music with Patric Heeney. but the song was formally adopted as National Anthem in 1926 displacing the earlier Fenian anthem 'God save Ireland'.

"Sinne Fianna Fáil..."

Soldiers are we...

In valley green, on towering craig,

Our fathers fought before us

And conquered ’neath the same old flag

That’s proudly floating o’er us

 ISRAEL

Hatikvah  (The Hope) is the national anthem of Israel. The anthem's theme revolves around the nearly 2000-year-old hope of the Jewish people to be a free and sovereign people in the Land of Israel, a national dream that would eventually be realized with the founding of the modern State of Israel in 1948

Interestingly, more than three decades before the First Zionist Congress, in 1864 the Bohemian-Austrian poet Ludwig August Ritter von Frankl , a Jewish himself published a poem titled Juda’s Farben (Judah’s Colors). 

Frankl was the first person in modern times who voiced the idea that ‘Blue and White’ as the national flag colours of the Jewish people. His visionary (prophetic) poem was translated into flowery Hebrew entitled Hahavatzelet (The rose of Sharon) and was first published in 1878.

 “When sublime feelings his heart fill,

He is mantled in the colours of his country

He stands in prayer, wrapped

In a sparkling robe of white.

The hems of the white robe

Are crowned with broad stripes of blue;

Like the robe of the High Priest,

Adorned with bands of blue threads.

These are the colours of the beloved country,

Blue and white are the borders of Judah;

White is the radiance of the priesthood,

And blue, the splendors of the firmament.”

JAPAN

Hinomaru (The Rising Sun) is the name of Japanese national flag and also the popular Japanese patriotic 'Flag Song' penned by Taisuyuki Takano and the  Music was composed by Teiichi Okano.

  Red on white
Flag is dyed
Oh beautiful
Japanese flag .

and goes on;

Sky High
Japanese flag raised
Oh beautiful
Japanese flag

JORDON

Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan (Al Mamlaka Al Urduniyya Al Haschimiyya). The Royal anthem of Jordan “Al-Salam al-Mamlaki al-Urduni” was adopted in 1946. The lyrics were written by Abdul Monem Al-Refai. The music was composed by Abdul Qader al-Taneer.

"Long live the King!

His position is sublime,

His banners waving in glory supreme".

KYRGYZSTAN

The National Anthem of the Kyrgyz was adopted on 18 December 1992. The music was composed by Nasyr Davlesov and Kalyi Moldobasanov, and the words were written by Djamil Sadykov and Eshmambet Kuluev

                                "Dreams of the people came true,

And the flag of liberty is over us.

The heritage of our fathers we will

           Pass to our sons for the benefit of people".

LEBANON

The Lebanese National Anthem “Al –Lahan al-Watani al-Lubani” was written by Rashid Nakhle and composed by Wadih Sabra. It was adopted on July 12, 1927. 

   The anthem begins “All of us! For the country, for our Flag and Glory !” And continues :

The Cedars are his pride, his immortality's symbol.

All of us! For our Country, for our Glory and Flag!

(Note;  Cedar tree is the chief emblem of Lebanese Flag)

 ^{(to be continued)}

FLAGS in National Anthems and Patriotic Songs, Part V

Most national anthems are not distinguished either for literary merit or musical quality. The overall aim is to place a patriotic poetic concept in a suitably dignified or stirring musical setting, so says Ronald L. Eisenberg (The American Philatelist, August 1995).
In order to proceed in alphabetical order, today I shall present "Flags mentioned in the anthems/ patriotic songs" of countries beginning with G and H.

GABON

"La Concorde" is the national anthem of Gabon. Written and composed by  Georges  Damas Aleka . Adopted in 1960.The last two lines and the chorus  of ‘La pera de la Concorde’ read;

Around this flag which leads us to honour,

Let us salute the Fatherland and ever sing!

The stamp above has the scores of La Concorde and the effigy of  Georges D. Aleka,  issued to commemorate the 25^th anniversary of Gabon’s independence in 1985.

GEORGIA

The State Anthem of the erstwhile Georgian SSR used from 1946 to 1991.The anthem inscribed the Soviet period banner: 

“The Soviet banner, shining as the sun,

Is fluttering over you;

Blossom, our beautiful country,

Exult, the Georgian land”.

 The music was composed by Otar Taktakishvili, and the words were written by Grigol Abashidze and Alexander Abasheli. All three stanzas  in the original lyrics had references to Joseph Stalin, a native Georgian and leader of the Soviet Union . These words were completely removed after Stalin's death.

GERMANY (3rd Reich)

The Horst-Wessel-Lied (Horst Wessel Song), also known as Die Fahne hoch (The Flag Up High), was the marching song of the Nazi Party from 1930 till it was declared "out-lawed" by the Allies Forces in 1945. From 1933 to 1945 it was the national anthem of the 3^rd Reich, usually sung along with the first stanza of Deutschlandlied. This combined version was known as the "Lieder der Nation" (Song of the Nation).

The flag high! The ranks tightly closed!

 SA* march with calm, firm steps.

Comrades shot by the Red front and reactionaries

March in spirit in our ranks.

Clear the streets for the brown battalions,

Clear the streets for the storm troopers!

Already millions look with hope to the Swastika

The day of freedom and bread is dawning!

Roll call has sounded for the last time

We are all already prepared for the fight!

Soon Hitler's flag will fly over all streets.

Our servitude will soon end!

The flag high! The ranks tightly closed!

SA marches with a calm, firm pace.

Comrades shot by the Red Front and reactionaries

March in spirit in our ranks.

 According to regulation of  Hitler’s regime required the right arm to be raised in a "Nazi Salute" when the first and fourth verses were sung. Note;  SA  stands for Sturm Abteilung (also known as Storm troopers or Brown shirts)

   GUATEMALA

     The Himno Nacional de Guatemala was written by José Joaquín Palma and composed by Rafael Álvarez Ovalle. Adopted in 1896 as the winning entry in a competition held by the government. The lyrics were modified in 1934 by Prof. Jose Maria Bonilla Ruano.

            Libre al viento tu hermosa bandera

           Fairest flag, in the wind freely floating,

            You invoke us to conquer or die,

           For your sons most courageously noting your proud symbol,

            Will bondage defy.

            Another translation

Free into the wind, your beautiful flag

To victory or death it will call

Since your people, with fiery soul

Will be dead before enslaved.

 GUINEA-BISSAU

"Esta é a Nossa Pátria Bem Amada" (This Is Our Beloved Country) is the natinoal anthem of Guinea-Bissau. Written and composed by Amilcar Cabral, adopted in 1974.

The banner of our struggle

Has fluttered in the sky.

 It was also the national anthem of Cape Verde until 1996, when a new anthem (Cântico da Liberdade) was chosen by Cape Verde.

HAITI

Haiti is one of the few countries whose anthem glorifies a national hero and has flag reference, 

 “La Dessalinienne”  honoring Jean-Jacques Dessalines, founder of Haiti as an independent republic in 1803. It was written by Justin Lhérisson and composed by Nicolas Geffrard and adopted in 1904. 

In the fifth verse states;

              “ For flag on high, for native land,

              ‘tis fine to die.

               Our traditions demand be ready, heart and hand;

               ‘tis fine to die,

                 ‘tis fine to die for flag on high, for native land.”

HONDURAS

The “Himno Nacional de Honduras” was adopted 1915^. The lyrics were written by Augusto Constancio Coello and the music composed by Carlos Hartling.

 The anthem commences “Tu bandera, tu bandera es un lampo de ceilo” (has been variously translated as “Your flag, your flag is a lamp in the sky”, or “Oh! Your flag waves, like a symbol in heaven”, or “Your banner, your banner is splendor from heaven”, or “Lo, the banner of this country has the splendor of heavens” and “As your standard, as your standard serves a strip of cloudless azure”) and continues;  “Which in twain is cut, which in twain is cut by a band that shows besprinkle; in whose sacred abuses there twinkle five pale stars with softest rays blue”. The stars represent the five Central American Republics (including Honduras)  that formed a Union in the early 1800s.

(To be continued)