National Anthem Comparison
Sudan vs South Sudan
2
Shared themes
✗
Different moods
56
56 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 Soldiers of God, Soldiers of the Homeland" was written in 1955, 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 56 years, having been written in 1955 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 | 1955 | 2011 |
| Adopted | 1956 | 2011 |
| Lyricist | Ahmed Muhammad Salih | A collective of 49 poets |
| Composer | Colonel Ahmed Morjan | Students and teachers 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 الفداء لم نخن
نتحدى الموت عند المحن
نشتري المجد بأغلى ثمن
هذه الأرض لنا
فليعش سوداننا علماً بين الأمم
يا بني السودان هذا رمزكم
يحمل العبء ويحمي أرضكم
Translation
We are soldiers of God, soldiers of the homeland
If the call to sacrifice sounds, we will not betray
We defy death upon ordeals
We buy glory at the most expensive price
This land is ours
May our Sudan live on, a banner among the nations
O sons of the Sudan, this is your symbol:
It carries the burden and protects your land.
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 God, bless South Sudan!
Interesting facts
Sudan
- 1. The poem was first written for the Sudan Defence Force, the nucleus of the Sudanese army: it was chosen in 1955 from the entries to a public competition for poems praising the force, and at independence its opening lines became the national anthem.
- 2. Officially the anthem is called the Republican Salute, especially when it is played as instrumental music; it is also known as the Flag Anthem or the Flag Salute.
- 3. Sudan kept the anthem unchanged after South Sudan seceded in 2011, when the new state adopted its own song, 'South Sudan Oyee!'.
- 4. The opening line names the singer a soldier of God and a soldier of the homeland in the same breath, joining religious and civic duty.
South Sudan
- 1. The 'Oyee!' in the title is a cheer equivalent to 'Hooray!', which South Sudan's army, the SSPDF, has also used as its slogan.
- 2. The anthem committee launched its competition in August 2010, six months before the independence referendum; the music was chosen over three rounds, in a contest the BBC likened to a Sudanese-style X Factor.
- 3. The version sung in January 2011 praised God's grace upon 'Cush', the ancient kingdom named in the Bible, and saluted 'black warriors'; the official text speaks instead of 'South Sudan, land of great abundance' and of 'great patriots'.
Listen
Sudan
South Sudan
