Barbados National Anthem
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 on 30 November 2021, the government kept the anthem unchanged, as it did the flag, the coat of arms and the national pledge.
- 2. A committee whose members included the writers George Lamming and Frank Collymore oversaw the selection of the anthem; Edwards was awarded $500 for his music.
- 3. Edwards composed the music while partially blind, helped by his two daughters; in 1967 Inspector Prince Cave of the Royal Barbados Police Band re-arranged it with a more sustained harmony, keeping the original tune.
- 4. Irving Burgie, who wrote more than 30 songs for Belafonte, told NPR in 2019 that he had made about $20 million in royalties over 50 years; a 1969 act vested copyright in the anthem's words and music in the Crown in perpetuity.
Barbados National Anthem 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).'
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Sources & References
- The National Anthem of Barbados . Government of Barbados (gov.bb)
- Independence: The National Anthem . Parliament of Barbados
Source & Review
- Source status
- Official source verified
- Translation
- AI-assisted working translation
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- Nationalia
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