Antigua and Barbuda
Fair Antigua, We Salute Thee
1967
1981
Novelle Hamilton Richards
Walter Garnet Picart Chambers
🌿 Nature ✝ God / Faith 🤝 Unity 🕊 Freedom ☮ Peace |
Key Facts
- 1. Antigua and Barbuda's anthem was selected through a national competition held in preparation for independence
- 2. The twin-island nation is one of the smallest countries in the Western Hemisphere by both area and population
- 3. Despite the country's name including both islands, Barbuda has only about 1,600 residents compared to Antigua's roughly 80,000
Lyrics
Fair Antigua, we salute thee!
Proudly we this anthem raise
To thy glory and thy beauty,
Joyfully we sing the praise
Of the virtues, all bestowed
On thy people, great and small,
Ever striving, ever seeking,
Dwell in love and unity.
Raise the standard! Raise it boldly!
Answer now to duty's call
To the service of thy country,
Sparing nothing, giving all;
Gird your loins and join the battle
'Gainst fear, hate and poverty,
Each endeavouring, all achieving,
Live in peace where man is free.
God of nations, let Thy blessings
Fall upon this land of ours;
Rain and sunshine ever sending,
Fill her fields with crops and flowers;
We her children do implore Thee,
Give us strength, faith, loyalty,
Never failing, all enduring
To defend her liberty.
Translations are non-official and intended to convey meaning, not replace originals
Analysis
EditorialWritten by Novelle Hamilton Richards with music by Walter Garnet Picart Chambers, the anthem was adopted when Antigua and Barbuda gained independence from the United Kingdom on November 1, 1981. The anthem celebrates the natural beauty of the islands and calls for unity among the population.