National Anthem Comparison
Marshall Islands vs Nauru
3
Shared themes
✓
Same mood
23
23 years apart
✓
Same continent
Marshall Islands
Forever Marshall Islands
Comparison Analysis
Marshall Islands and Nauru, both Oceania nations, take distinct approaches to their national anthems. Marshall Islands's "Forever Marshall Islands" was written in 1991, while Nauru's "Nauru, Our Homeland" dates to 1968.
Both anthems share themes of God / Faith, Love of homeland and Hope. Marshall Islands additionally explores Nature, while Nauru also touches on Peace and Ancestors / Heritage.
Both anthems carry a Hopeful tone, creating a similar emotional register despite their geographic distance.
Shared themes
Marshall Islands
✝ God / Faith ❤ Love of homeland 🌿 Nature 🌅 Hope
Nauru
❤ Love of homeland 🌅 Hope ✝ God / Faith ☮ Peace 🏺 Ancestors / Heritage
Shared themes:
✝ God / Faith ❤ Love of homeland 🌅 Hope
Metadata
| Marshall Islands | Nauru | |
|---|---|---|
| Written | 1991 | 1968 |
| Adopted | 1991 | 1968 |
| Lyricist | Amata Kabua | Margaret Hendrie |
| Composer | Amata Kabua | Laurence Henry Hicks |
| Language | mh | na |
| Region | Micronesia | Micronesia |
Lyrics Side by Side
Marshall Islands
Forever Marshall Islands
Original
Aelōn̄ eo ao ion lōmālij;
Einwōt wūt ko lōllap ilān;
Ilen̄ n̄an kij in ekajet im̧ool;
Kōn men̄e an jouj im̧ool doon.
Aelōn̄ eo ao ion lōmālij;
Er bōk ilo an̄ōn̄ōin mour;
Ilān pein Anij ewōr wōn mour;
Einwōt kōle ko tōrear lān.
Aelōn̄ eo ao ion lōmālij;
Er jāloñ tak kin jouj in mour;
Ijjamin ilok jen in aolep;
Ainwōt men̄e bōran wōt ko.
Translation
My island lies over the ocean,
Like a wreath of flowers upon the sea,
With the light of the Maker from far above,
Shining with the brilliance of rays of life.
My island lies over the ocean,
Filled with the sounds of joyful life,
In the hands of God there is life,
Like the shining stars in the sky.
My island lies over the ocean,
Looking up with gratitude for life,
I will never leave all of this,
Like the ever-present garlands of flowers.
Nauru
Nauru Bwiema
Original
Nauru bwiema, ngabena yepoa,
Maecquura imo nan
Angetabam aruwo aiden.
Aro amea, edorer.
Aro amea, edorer.
Atsin ngago birin rire
Odudur inaguwe.
Ma dedere
Ma dedere
Nauru eco.
Nauru eco.
Translation
Nauru, our homeland, the land we dearly love,
We all pray for you and we also praise
Your people's ancient ways.
We walk and sing,
We walk and sing.
Our island home far across the sea,
The brightness of our sky.
May your peace
May your peace
Forever, Nauru.
Forever, Nauru.
Interesting facts
Marshall Islands
- 1. The anthem is sung in Marshallese, an Austronesian language spoken by fewer than 50,000 people worldwide, making it one of the rarest languages featured in a national anthem.
- 2. Amata Kabua was also a accomplished poet and songwriter beyond the anthem; several of his compositions remain popular in Marshallese culture as love songs and folk ballads.
- 3. The anthem's imagery of flowers and ocean wreaths reflects the Marshallese tradition of navigation by wave patterns and stars, skills for which the islanders were renowned across the Pacific.
Nauru
- 1. Nauru is the third-smallest country in the world by area, after Vatican City and Monaco
- 2. The island was once one of the richest countries per capita due to phosphate mining, but the resources have been almost entirely depleted
- 3. Nauru is the only country in the world without an official capital city
Listen
Marshall Islands
Nauru
