National Anthem Comparison
Marshall Islands vs Palau
1
Shared themes
✓
Same mood
11
11 years apart
✓
Same continent
Marshall Islands
Forever Marshall Islands
Comparison Analysis
Marshall Islands and Palau, both Oceania nations, take distinct approaches to their national anthems. Marshall Islands's "Forever Marshall Islands" was written in 1991, while Palau's "Our Palau" dates to 1980.
Both anthems share themes of Love of homeland. Marshall Islands additionally explores God / Faith, Nature and Hope, while Palau also touches on Ancestors / Heritage and Identity.
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
Palau
❤ Love of homeland 🏺 Ancestors / Heritage 🏛 Identity
Shared themes:
❤ Love of homeland
Metadata
| Marshall Islands | Palau | |
|---|---|---|
| Written | 1991 | 1980 |
| Adopted | 1991 | 1980 |
| Lyricist | Amata Kabua | Ymesei O. Ezekiel |
| Composer | Amata Kabua | Ymesei O. Ezekiel |
| Language | mh | pau |
| 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.
Palau
Belau rekid
Original
Belau loba klisiich er a kelulul,
El dimla tekoi er a rechuodelmii,
Lomdasu el mo chetituokel,
Mo kmo, Belau a chotil a klengar.
Bo dole ketek a kerruul er a belumam,
Lomdasu loltak a rengud el di mereched,
Bo de melatk a tekoi er a Belau.
Lomdasu el mo chetituokel,
Mo kmo, Belau a chotil a klengar.
Translation
Palau is coming forth with the strength of its heritage,
By the ancient words of our forebears,
Let us think about them carefully,
And say, Palau is the anchor of life.
Let us join in remembrance of our homeland,
Thinking while our hearts are strong,
Let us cherish the words of Palau.
Let us think about them carefully,
And say, Palau is the anchor of life.
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.
Palau
- 1. Palau was one of the last territories in the Pacific to gain independence, becoming sovereign in 1994
- 2. The country has one of the world's most pristine marine environments and was the first to create a large-scale marine sanctuary
- 3. Palau has a unique relationship with the United States through a Compact of Free Association, which allows Palauans to live and work in the U.S.
Listen
Marshall Islands
Palau
