National Anthem Comparison
Sudan vs South Sudan
2
Shared themes
✗
Different moods
55
55 years apart
✓
Same continent
South Sudan
South Sudan Oyee!
Comparison Analysis
Sudan and South Sudan, both Africa nations, take distinct approaches to their national anthems. Sudan's "We Are the Army of God and of Our Land" was written in 1956, while South Sudan's "South Sudan Oyee!" dates to 2011.
Both anthems share themes of God / Faith and Flag. Sudan additionally explores Battle / War and Resilience, while South Sudan also touches on Independence, Unity and Ancestors / Heritage.
The emotional tones differ: Sudan's anthem is Fierce, while South Sudan's is Joyful.
Sudan's anthem predates South Sudan's by 55 years, having been written in 1956 compared to 2011.
Shared themes
Sudan
✝ God / Faith ⚔ Battle / War 🚩 Flag 💪 Resilience
South Sudan
🗽 Independence 🤝 Unity ✝ God / Faith 🚩 Flag 🏺 Ancestors / Heritage
Shared themes:
✝ God / Faith 🚩 Flag
Metadata
| Sudan | South Sudan | |
|---|---|---|
| Written | 1956 | 2011 |
| Adopted | 1956 | 2011 |
| Lyricist | Ahmed Muhammad Salih | Students of the University of Juba |
| Composer | Ahmad Murjan | Students of the University of Juba |
| Language | ar | en |
| Region | North Africa | East Africa |
Lyrics Side by Side
Sudan
نحن جند الله جند الوطن
Original
نحن جند الله جند الوطن
إن دعا داعي الفدا لن نخن
نتحدى الموت عند المحن
نشتري المجد بأغلى ثمن
هذه الأرض لنا فليعش
سوداننا عَلَماً بين الأمم
يا بني السودان هذا رمزكم
يحمل العبء ويحمي وطنكم
يا بني النيل أنا حارسكم
فإذا تاقت لحربٍ لن نحن
نتحدى الموت عند المحن
نشتري المجد بأغلى ثمن
Translation
We are the army of God and of our land,
If a caller of sacrifice calls, we shall not betray.
We defy death in times of hardship,
We purchase glory at the highest price.
This land is ours, so let it live,
Our Sudan, a flag among the nations.
O sons of Sudan, this is your symbol,
It bears the burden and protects your homeland.
O sons of the Nile, I am your guardian,
And if war is yearned for, we shall not falter.
We defy death in times of hardship,
We purchase glory at the highest price.
South Sudan
South Sudan Oyee!
Original
Oh God!
We praise and glorify you
For your grace on South Sudan,
Land of great abundance,
Uphold us united in peace and harmony.
Oh motherland!
We rise raising flag with the guiding star
And sing songs of freedom with joy,
For justice, liberty, and prosperity
Shall forever more reign.
Oh great patriots!
Let us stand up in silence and respect,
Saluting our martyrs whose blood
Cemented our national foundation,
We vow to protect our nation.
Oh South Sudan! Oh South Sudan! Oh South Sudan!
Interesting facts
Sudan
- 1. Sudan's anthem remained unchanged even after South Sudan's secession in 2011
- 2. The martial tone reflects the atmosphere of the independence struggle against British and Egyptian colonial rule
- 3. Sudan is the third-largest country in Africa by area, and the anthem emphasizes national unity across its vast territory
South Sudan
- 1. The exclamation 'Oyee!' in the title is a celebratory shout used across many South Sudanese ethnic groups, functioning similarly to 'Hooray!' and often chanted at rallies and gatherings.
- 2. South Sudan's anthem had to be written, composed, and officially adopted within a matter of months before the independence date, making it one of the fastest anthem creation processes in modern history.
- 3. The anthem is performed in English rather than Arabic (the official language of neighboring Sudan), a deliberate choice that symbolizes South Sudan's break from the north.
Listen
Sudan
South Sudan
