Malta
L-Innu Malti
The Maltese Hymn
1922
1945
Dun Karm Psaila
Robert Samut
✝ God / Faith ❤ Love of homeland 🌿 Nature ☮ Peace |
Key Facts
- 1. Robert Samut, the composer, died in 1934 before the anthem was officially adopted, never knowing his melody would become the national anthem.
- 2. The anthem was originally written without a title; 'L-Innu Malti' (The Maltese Hymn) was added later when it was formalized as the national anthem in 1945.
- 3. Malta's anthem is one of the few in the world performed regularly in churches as well as at state functions, blurring the line between sacred hymn and national song.
Lyrics
Lil din l-Art ħelwa, l-Omm li tatna isimha,
Ħares, Mulej, kif dejjem Int ħarist:
Ftakar li lilha bil-oħla dawl libbist,
Agħti kbir Alla, id-dehen il-ħniena.
Ħares, Mulej, id-deheb tal-għelieqi,
Ħares il-ħaddiem, is-sajjied u r-ragħaj,
Ħares u l-baħar imdawwal madwarna,
Agħti s-sliem lil min hu fil-ħtieġa.
Rodd il-ħniena, Mulej, rodd il-ħniena,
Alla kbir, rodd il-ħniena lil din l-Art.
Agħti kbir, id-dehen il-ħniena,
Seddaq il-ħolma ta' dawk li ħabbewha.
Translations are non-official and intended to convey meaning, not replace originals
Analysis
EditorialWritten by Dun Karm Psaila in 1922 with music by Robert Samut. The anthem is a prayer asking God to protect Malta. It was adopted in 1945 and reflects the deeply Catholic character of Maltese culture. The Maltese language itself is unique, being the only Semitic language written in Latin script.