Barbados
In Plenty and In Time of Need
1966
1966
Irving Burgie
C. Van Roland Edwards
✝ God / Faith 🤝 Unity 🌅 Hope 🏺 Ancestors / Heritage 🗽 Independence |
Key Facts
- 1. When Barbados became a republic in 2021, there was debate about whether to change the anthem, but it was kept because its lyrics make no reference to the British monarchy.
- 2. The anthem was selected through a national competition held in the lead-up to independence, beating out several other submissions.
- 3. Irving Burgie earned an estimated $6 million in royalties from his calypso songs for Belafonte, but he donated the anthem to Barbados and never collected royalties for it.
Lyrics
In plenty and in time of need
When this fair land was young
Our brave forefathers sowed the seed
From which our pride is sprung,
A pride that makes no wanton boast
Of what it has withstood,
That binds our hearts from coast to coast,
The pride of nationhood.
We loyal sons and daughters all
Do hereby make it known
These fields and hills beyond recall
Are now our very own.
We write our names on history's page
With expectations great,
Strict guardians of our heritage,
Firm craftsmen of our fate.
The Lord has been the people's guide
For past three hundred years.
With Him still on the people's side
We have no doubts or fears.
Upward and onward we shall go,
Inspired, exulting, free,
And greater will our nation grow
In strength and unity.
We loyal sons and daughters all
Do hereby make it known
These fields and hills beyond recall
Are now our very own.
We write our names on history's page
With expectations great,
Strict guardians of our heritage,
Firm craftsmen of our fate.
Translations are non-official and intended to convey meaning, not replace originals
Analysis
EditorialWritten by Irving Burgie, a Barbadian-American songwriter, with music by C. Van Roland Edwards. The anthem was adopted upon independence from the United Kingdom on November 30, 1966. Burgie is also famous for writing several of Harry Belafonte's biggest calypso hits, including 'Day-O (Banana Boat Song).'