Jamaica, Land We Love

Jamaica, Land We Love

National anthem of  Jamaica

Lyrics Hugh Sherlock, July 1962[1]
Music Robert Lightbourne
Mapletoft Poulle (arranger), July 1962[1]
Adopted 1962 (1962)

Music sample
"Jamaica, Land We Love" (instrumental)

"Jamaica, Land We Love" is the official national anthem of Jamaica, adopted in July 1962. The anthem was chosen after a competition from September 1961 until 31 March 1962, in which, the lyrics of the national anthem were selected by Jamaica's Houses of Parliament. When Jamaica was granted independence on 6 August 1962, "Jamaica, Land We Love" continued to be officially used as the national anthem.

History

The anthem played by the U.S. Navy Band.

Prior to the declaration of the independence of Jamaica, Jamaica was made a West Indies Federation province of the British West Indies, still under the rule of the United Kingdom. The nation entered the federation under the rule of Premier Norman Manley, who also made various constitutional amendments to allow the process of decolonisation to rapidly take place.[2] These amendments also allowed the country to have more self-governing powers and permitted the formation of a cabinet led by a premier. Premier Manley's participation in the West Indies Federation was unpopular and led to the independence of the country on 6 August 1962, and the national anthem selected in July 1962 was officially used from that date.[3][4]

In September 1961, the leading People's National Party announced a competition to write the lyrics of Jamaica's future national anthem, which would be judged by selected members of Jamaica's Houses of Parliament.[4] The competition received almost one hundred script entries and the competition closed on 31 March 1962, after this ending date was decided on 17 March. The Houses of Parliament were given two options of anthems to vote for on 19 July 1962, and a script was chosen with an overwhelming majority.[4] The winning script was written by Rev. Hon. Hugh Sherlock, the music was composed by Hon. Robert Lightbourne, and the anthem was arranged by Mapletoft Poulle and Christine Alison Poulle.[5][6][4]

Lyrics

Eternal Father bless our land
Guard us with Thy mighty hand
Keep us free from evil powers
Be our light through countless hours
To our leaders, Great Defender,
Grant true wisdom from above
Justice, truth be ours forever
Jamaica, land we love
Jamaica, Jamaica, Jamaica, land we love.
Teach us true respect for all
Stir response to duty's call
Strengthen us the weak to cherish
Give us vision lest we perish
Knowledge send us, Heavenly Father,
Grant true wisdom from above
Justice, truth be ours forever
Jamaica, land we love
Jamaica, Jamaica, Jamaica, land we love.

References

  1. 1 2 "Jamaica". National Anthems. Retrieved 1 August 2015.
  2. ↑ "Jamaica: Self government". Encyclopedia Britannica. Retrieved 1 August 2015.
  3. ↑ "West Indies Federation". Caricom. Retrieved 1 August 2015.
  4. 1 2 3 4 "Anthem Pledge". Jamaica Information Service. 2015. Retrieved 1 August 2015.
  5. ↑ Budd, Janice (28 August 2011). "The forgotten woman". Jamaica Observer. Retrieved 3 November 2013.
  6. ↑ Douglas, Luke (18 October 2011). "National Anthem co-authors finally have their day". Jamaica Observer. Retrieved 3 November 2013.
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