The world’s national anthems are a delightful mixed bag of patriotism, poetry, and the peculiar. While some of these verses rarely receive airtime—and there’s always risk that something is lost in translation—each lyric is like a postcard, rich with details about a country’s history and culture. Enjoy!
1. AUSTRIA: WE HAVE HAMMERS
Land of mountains, land by the river,
Land of fields, land of cathedrals,
Land of hammers, with a promising future!
Land of Mountains, Land by the River (Hammers are a symbol of industry.)
2. ARGENTINA: ALERT THE ZOMBIE REVOLUTIONARIES
The Inca is roused in his tomb
and fire is rekindled in his bones,
on seeing his sons renewing
his homeland’s former splendor
Himno Nacional Argentino (Canción Patriótica)
3. GABON: NO SORCERERS ALLOWED
Yes, may the happy days dreamed by our ancestors
Come for us at last, rejoice our hearts,
And banish the sorcerers, those perfidious deceivers
Who were sowing poison and were spreading fear.
4. COLOMBIA: METAL BAND NAME #1, “A CONSTELLATION OF CYCLOPS”
Thus the motherland is formed,
Thermopylaes are bursting forth;
a constellation of cyclops
its night brightened.
The trembling flower
finding the wind mortal,
underneath the laurels
safety sought.
5. SENEGAL: METAL BAND NAME #2, “LION’S FROTH”
Senegal, you the son of the lion’s froth,
Sprung from the night to the gallop of horses.
Pluck Your Koras, Strike the Balafons/The Red Lion
6. PARAGUAY: WE ARE ROME!
A new Rome, the Fatherland shall proudly display
Two leaders of name and valor
Who, rivals, like Romulus and Remus
Divided government and power.
Paraguayans, The Republic or Death
7. ROMANIA: NO YOU’RE NOT, WE’RE ROME!
It’s now or never that we prove to the world
That in these veins still flows Roman blood
And in our hearts for ever we glorify a name
Triumphant in battles, the name of Trajan.
8. BANGLADESH: LET’S PLAY IN THE DIRT
O mother! The fragrance from your mango groves makes me wild with joy,
Ah, what a thrill!
9. HONDURAS: SHOUT OUT TO FRANCE
It was France, the free, the heroic,
Which in its dreams of centuries slept,
Awoke irate to life
At the virile protest of Danton:
It was France, who sent to the death
The head of the consecrated King,
And which built up proudly at its side,
The altar of the goddess of Reason.
10. ANDORRA: WE <3 FRANCE (OR AT LEAST THE FRANKS), TOO
The great Charlemagne, my father,
liberated me from the Saracens
And from heaven he gave me life …
I am the only remaining daughter,
of the Carolingian empire
11. ALGERIA: SCREW YOU, FRANCE!
O France,
Past is the time of palavers
We closed it as we close a book
O France! The day to settle the accounts has come!
12. FRANCE: DON’T MESS WITH US
Tremble, tyrants and you traitors
The shame of all parties,
Tremble! Your parricidal schemes
Will finally receive their reward!
Everyone is a soldier to combat you
If they fall, our young heroes,
The earth will produce new ones,
Ready to fight against you!
13. CABO VERDE: MOTIVATE YOURSELF WITH THIS BEAUTIFUL TRUTH
Hope is as big as the sea
Which embraces us
14. ARMENIA: DEMOTIVATE YOURSELF WITH THIS DEPRESSING TRUTH
Death is the same everywhere,
A man dies but once,
Blessed is the one that dies
For the freedom of his nation.
15. KIRIBATI: LET’S MAKE THIS THE ANTHEM FOR THE PLANET, PLEASE?
Stand up, People of Kiribati!
Sing with jubilation!
Prepare to accept responsibility
And to help each other!
Be steadfastly righteous!
Love all our people!
Be steadfastly righteous!
Love all our people!The attainment of contentment
And peace by our people
Will be achieved when all our hearts beat as one,
Love one another!
Promote happiness and unity!
Love one another!
Promote happiness and unity!We beseech You, O God,
To protect and lead us
In the days to come.
Help us with Your loving hand.
Bless our Government
and all our people!
Bless our Government
and all our people!
November 28, 2016 – 12:00pm