Gambia
For The Gambia Our Homeland
1965
1965
Virginia Julie Howe
Traditional (adapted by Jeremy Frederick Howe)
🤝 Unity ✝ God / Faith ☮ Peace 🕊 Freedom 🌈 Diversity |
Key Facts
- 1. The Gambia is the smallest country on mainland Africa, making its anthem representative of one of the continent's most uniquely shaped nations
- 2. The melody is based on a traditional Mandinka tune, connecting the national anthem to the country's predominant ethnic musical heritage
- 3. The anthem survived a brief merger with Senegal (Senegambia, 1982-1989) and was restored when the confederation dissolved
Lyrics
For The Gambia, our homeland,
We strive and work and pray,
That all may live in unity,
Freedom and peace each day.
Let justice guide our actions
Towards the common good,
And join our diverse peoples
To prove man's brotherhood.
We pledge our firm allegiance,
Our promise we renew;
Keep us, great God of nations,
To The Gambia ever true.
For The Gambia, our homeland,
We strive and work and pray,
That all may live in unity,
Freedom and peace each day.
Translations are non-official and intended to convey meaning, not replace originals
Analysis
EditorialAdopted at independence from Britain in 1965. The lyrics were written by Virginia Julie Howe, and the music is a traditional Mandinka melody adapted by her husband Jeremy Frederick Howe. The Gambia is the smallest country on mainland Africa, a narrow strip of land along the Gambia River entirely surrounded by Senegal except for its Atlantic coastline.