Dominica
Isle of Beauty, Isle of Splendour
1967
1978
Wilfred Oscar Morgan Pond
Lemuel McPherson Christian
🌿 Nature ✝ God / Faith ❤ Love of homeland 🕊 Freedom 🚩 Flag |
Key Facts
- 1. Dominica is known as the 'Nature Isle of the Caribbean' due to its dense rainforests, numerous rivers, and volcanic hot springs
- 2. The island has 365 rivers, reportedly one for each day of the year
- 3. Dominica is one of the few places in the Eastern Caribbean where the indigenous Kalinago (Carib) people still maintain a distinct community
Lyrics
Isle of beauty, isle of splendour,
Isle to all so sweet and fair,
All must surely gaze in wonder
At thy gifts so rich and rare.
Rivers, valleys, hills and mountains,
All these gifts we do extol.
Healthy land, so like all fountains,
Giving cheer that warms the soul.
Dominica, God hath blest thee
With a clime best of all;
Ever helpful, ever cheerful,
Let us sing and praise them all.
Come ye forward, march together,
High we raise our banner's fold;
Steeped in love and truth and justice,
Ever forward, ever bold.
Isle of beauty, isle of splendour,
Isle to all so sweet and fair,
All must surely gaze in wonder
At thy gifts so rich and rare.
May our love for thee grow deeper,
Strength and faith we seek from Thee;
All our will in Thine we render,
Isle of beauty, liberty.
Translations are non-official and intended to convey meaning, not replace originals
Analysis
EditorialWritten by Wilfred Oscar Morgan Pond with music by Lemuel McPherson Christian, the anthem was adopted when Dominica gained independence from the United Kingdom on November 3, 1978. The anthem celebrates the island's lush natural beauty, earning Dominica the nickname 'Nature Isle of the Caribbean.'