Mauritius National Anthem

Motherland

Written 1968

Adopted 1968

Lyrics Jean Georges Prosper

Music Philippe Gentil

🤝 Unity ☮ Peace ❤ Love of homeland ✝ God / Faith 🕊 Freedom | Hopeful

Key Facts

1. Composer Philippe Gentil was a violinist, trumpeter and saxophonist in the Mauritius Police Band; he set Prosper's words to music once they had been chosen.
2. When the anthem was published in a national newspaper, the Police Band's bandmaster, Philippe Oh San, was wrongly credited as its composer.
3. The words were chosen through an open competition launched in 1968. Their author, Jean Georges Prosper, a doctor of letters of the Sorbonne, is a leading name in Mauritian literature in French, although he wrote the anthem in English.
4. 'Motherland' was played for the first time at the independence ceremony on 12 March 1968, straight after 'God Save the Queen' was played for the last time.

Mauritius National Anthem Lyrics

Glory to thee, Motherland O Motherland of mine. Sweet is thy beauty, Sweet is thy fragrance, Around thee we gather As one people, As one nation, In peace, justice and liberty. Beloved Country, May God bless thee. For ever and ever.

Translations are non-official and intended to convey meaning, not replace originals

Analysis

Editorial

Adopted in 1968 upon independence from Britain. Written by Jean Georges Prosper with music by Philippe Gentil. The anthem emphasizes unity among the diverse ethnic groups of Mauritius, which includes people of Indian, African, Chinese, and European descent.