Haiti's National Anthem

 

This Friday we are looking at the national anthem of Haiti which is called La Dessalinienne. It is also sometimes referred to as "The Song of Dessalines". The anthem was officially adopted in 1903, commemorating the 100th anniversary of the Haitian Revolution, and is named in honour of Jean-Jacques Dessalines, a leader of the revolution.

La Dessalinienne in English

For the Country, for the Ancestors, let us march united, let us march united. Let there be no traitors in our ranks! Let us be the only masters of the soil. Let us march united, let us march united For the Country, for the Ancestors, let us march, let us march, let us march united, For the Country, for the Ancestors...

For the Forefathers, for the Fatherland Let us toil joyous, let us toil joyous. When the field fructifies the soul fortifies Let us toil joyous, let us toil joyous For the Forefathers, for the Fatherland Let us toil, let us toil, let us toil joyous For the Forefathers, for the Fatherland.

For the Country and for our Fathers Let us train Sons, let us train Sons Free, strong and prosperous We shall always be brothers Let us train Sons, let us train Sons For the Country and for our Fathers Let us train, let us train, let us train Sons For the Country and for our Fathers.

For the Forefathers, for the Fatherland Oh God of the Valiant, Oh God of the Valiant! Under your infinite protection Take our rights, our life Oh God of the Valiant, Oh God of the Valiant! For the Forefathers, for the Fatherland Oh God, Oh God, Oh God of the Valiant for the Forefathers, for the Fatherland.

For the Flag, for the Fatherland To die is beautiful, to die is beautiful! Our past cries out to us: Have a hardened soul! To die is beautiful, to die is beautiful For the Flag, for the Fatherland To die, to die, to die is beautiful For the Flag, for the Fatherland.