Solomon Islands
God Save Our Solomon Islands
1978
1978
Panapasa Balekana and Matila Balekana
Panapasa Balekana and Matila Balekana
✝ God / Faith 🤝 Unity ☮ Peace 🌿 Nature 🕊 Freedom |
Key Facts
- 1. The anthem was co-written by a father and son team, Panapasa and Matila Balekana, making it one of the rare national anthems created as a family collaboration.
- 2. Solomon Islands still maintains a traditional shell money economy alongside modern currency; red feather money from Temotu Province is among the most unusual forms of currency in the world.
- 3. The anthem's hymn-like melody reflects the strong Christian missionary influence on the islands, where over 95% of the population identifies as Christian.
Lyrics
God save our Solomon Islands from shore to shore.
Bless all her people and all her lands
With her Pacific shores.
Rejoice Solomon Islands,
Our nation, Solomon Islands!
Though isles of different tongues we be,
In brotherhood we stand.
We pray that this our Solomon Islands
Forever shall be free.
Rejoice Solomon Islands,
Our nation, Solomon Islands!
Our country has a heritage,
Our country has a prayer.
God help us all to do our best
To make it what you will.
Rejoice Solomon Islands,
Our nation, Solomon Islands!
Translations are non-official and intended to convey meaning, not replace originals
Analysis
EditorialWritten and composed by Panapasa Balekana and Matila Balekana, the anthem was adopted upon independence from the United Kingdom on July 7, 1978. The Solomon Islands are an archipelago of nearly 1,000 islands in the South Pacific. The islands were the site of fierce fighting during World War II, most notably the Battle of Guadalcanal.