Jamaica, Land We Love
National anthem of Jamaica
LyricsHugh Sherlock, July 1962[1]
MusicRobert Lightbourne (arranged by Mapletoft Poulle), July 1962[1]
Adopted19 July 1962 (1962-07-19)
Audio sample
U.S. Navy Band instrumental version (one verse)
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"Jamaica, Land We Love" is the national anthem of Jamaica, officially adopted in July 1962. It was chosen after a competition from September 1961 to 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

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 Norman 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][1]

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.[1] The competition received almost 100 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.[1] The winning script was written by Reverend Hon. Hugh Sherlock, the music was composed by Hon. Robert Lightbourne, and the anthem was arranged by Mapletoft Poulle and Christine Alison Poulle.[4][5][1]

Lyrics

I
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.

II
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.[1]

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 "Anthem & Pledge". Jamaica Information Service. Retrieved 8 May 2020.
  2. ↑ "Jamaica: Self government". Encyclopædia Britannica. Retrieved 1 August 2015.
  3. ↑ "West Indies Federation". Caricom. Archived from the original on 29 September 2013. Retrieved 1 August 2015.
  4. ↑ Budd, Janice (28 August 2011). "The forgotten woman". Jamaica Observer. Archived from the original on 18 October 2014. Retrieved 3 November 2013.
  5. ↑ Douglas, Luke (18 October 2011). "National Anthem co-authors finally have their day". Jamaica Observer. Archived from the original on 18 June 2018. Retrieved 3 November 2013.
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