Haiti
La Dessalinienne
The Song of Dessalines
1903
1904
Justin Lherisson
Nicolas Geffrard
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Context
Named after Jean-Jacques Dessalines, the leader of the Haitian Revolution and the country's first ruler, the anthem was written by Justin Lherisson with music by Nicolas Geffrard. Adopted in 1904, exactly 100 years after Haiti became the first Black republic to gain independence. Haiti's revolution was the only successful slave revolt in history that led to the founding of a state.
Lyrics
Pour le Pays, pour les Ancetres,
Marchons unis, marchons unis.
Dans nos rangs point de traitres!
Du sol soyons seuls maitres.
Marchons unis, marchons unis
Pour le Pays, pour les Ancetres,
Marchons, marchons, marchons unis,
Pour le Pays, pour les Ancetres.
Translations are non-official and intended to convey meaning, not replace originals
Interesting facts
- • Haiti was the first independent Black republic and the second independent nation in the Americas after the United States
- • The Haitian Revolution (1791-1804) was the only successful large-scale slave revolt in history, defeating Napoleon's forces
- • The anthem is named after Jean-Jacques Dessalines, who declared Haiti's independence on January 1, 1804, and reportedly tore the white stripe from the French tricolor to create the Haitian flag