official national songs honoring the spirit of the native land. Some anthems specifically celebrate a historical personage or event; others exalt the beauty of the country. A number of anthems are simply melodies, often no more than brief fanfares, without words. National anthems for most countries, with information on their origins, are listed below. Titles are given insofar as they exist; many anthems are known conventionally by their first lines. The date of adoption indicates the year in which a country officially adopted its national anthem.

Albania. Hymni i flamurit (Hymn to the Flag). Music by Ciprian Porumbescu. Words by A. S. Drenova. Adopted 1912.

Algeria. Music by Muhammad Fawzi, 1956. Words by Moufdi Zakaria, 1955. Adopted 1963.

Andorra. Himne Andorra. Music by Father Enric Marfany Bons. Words by D. Joan Benlloch i Vivò. Adopted 1914.

Angola. Music by Rui Alberto Vieira Dias Mingas. Words by Manuel Rui Alves Monteiro. Adopted 1975.

Antigua and Barbuda. Music by Walter Garnet Picart Chambers. Words by Novelle Hamilton Richards. Adopted 1967.

Argentina. Himno nacional. Music by José Blas Parera, 1813. Words by Vincente López y Planes, 1813. Adopted 1813.

Australia. Advance Australia Fair. Music and words by P. D. McCormick, 1878. Adopted 1984.

Austria. Österreichische Bundeshymne. Music by Johann Holzer (melody formerly attributed to Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart). Words by Paula Preradovi[ccaron], 1946. Adopted 1947.

Bahamas. March on, Bahamaland. Music and words by Timothy Gibson, 1972. Adopted 1973.

Bangladesh. Ām[amacr ]r son[amacr ]r Bangla. Music and words by Rabindranath Tagore. Adopted 1972.

Barbados. Barbados National Anthem. Music by C. Van Roland Edwards, 1966. Words by Irving Burgie, 1966. Adopted 1966.

Belarus. Young Belarus. Words by Janka Kupala.

Belgium. La brabançonne. Music by François van Campenhout, about 1830. Words by Charles Rogier, 1860. Adopted 1938.

Belize. Music by S. Walford Young, 1963. Words by Samuel A. Haynes, 1963. Adopted 1981.

Benin. L’aube nouvelle (The New Dawn). Music and words by Gilbert Jean Dagnon. Adopted 1960.

Bhutan. Royal Anthem. Music by Dasho Thinley Dorji. No words.

Bolivia. Himno nacional. Music by Benedetto Vincenti. Words by José Ignacio de Sanjinés. Adopted 1842.

Botswana. Fatshe la rona (Our Country). Music and words by Kgalemang T. Motsete, 1966. Adopted 1966.

Brazil. Hino nacional brasileiro. Music by Francisco Manoel da Silva, 1831. Words by Joaquim Osório Duque Estrada, 1909. Adopted 1922.

Brunei. Brunei darussalam (God Save Brunei). Music by Awang Haji Besar bin Sagap, 1947. Words by Pengiran Haji Mohamed Yusuf bin Pengiran Haji Abdul Rahim. Adopted 1951.

Bulgaria. Mila Rodino (Dear Fatherland).

Burundi. Uburundi Bwacu. Music by Marc Barengayabo. Words by a group of writers, 1962. Adopted 1962.

Cameroon. Chant de ralliement (Rallying Song). Music by Samuel Minkyo Bamba and Moise Nyate, 1928. Words by student group and René Jam Afame, 1928. Adopted 1957.

Canada. O Canada! Music attributed to Calixa Lavallée, 1880. Words by Judge Robert Stanley Weir, 1908; French version by Judge Adolphe Basile Routhier, 1879. Adopted 1980.

Central African Republic. La renaissance (The Revival). Music by Herbert Pepper, 1958. Words by Barthélemy Boganda, 1958. Adopted 1960.

Chad, Republic of. La tchadienne (The Song of Chad). Music by Paul Villard. Words by student group, 1960. Adopted 1960.

Chile. Canción nacional. Music by Ramón Carnicer, 1828. Words by B. de Vera y Pintado, 1819; revised by Eusebio Lillo, 1847; Fabio Petris, 1907; and Enrique Soro, 1909. Anthem adopted 1941.

China. March of the Volunteers. Music by Nie Erh, 1932. Words by Tian Han. Adopted 1949.

Colombia. Himno nacional. Music by Oreste Síndici, 1887. Words by Rafael Núñez, 1887. Adopted 1920.

Comoros. Udzima wa ya masiwa (Union of the Great Islands). Music by Kamildine Abdallah and Said Hachim Sidi Abderemane. Music by Said Hachim Sidi Abderemane. Adopted 1978.

Congo, Republic of the. La Congolaise.

Costa Rica. Himno nacional. Music by Manuel María Gutiérrez, 1851. Words by José María Zeledón Brenes, 1903. Adopted 1853.

Côte d’Ivoire (Ivory Coast). L’Abidjanaise (Song of Abidjan). Music by Pierre Michel Pango. Words by Abbé Mathieu Ekra with Joachim Bony and Pierre Marie Coty. Adopted 1960.

Croatia. Lijepa nasa domovino (Our Beautiful Homeland). Music by Josip Runjanin. Words by Antun Mihanovic.

Cuba. La bayamesa (Sons of Bayamo). Music and words by Pedro Figueredo y Cisneros (Perucho), 1867–68. Adopted 1902.

Czech Republic. Kde domov muj (Where Is My Homeland). Music by František Škroup, 1834. Words by Josef Kajetán Tyl, 1834. Adopted 1919.

Denmark. Der er et yndigt land (There Is a Lovely Land). Music by H. E. Krøyer, 1823. Words by Adam Gottlob Oehlenschläger, 1820. Adopted (unofficially) 1844. Royal anthem: Kong Kristian stod ved højen mast (King Christian Stood by the Lofty Mast). Music by Friedrich Kuhlau, 1828. Words by Johannes Ewald, about 1780. Adopted (unofficially) 1828.

Djibouti. Music by Abdi Robleh. Words by Aden Elmi. Adopted 1977.

Dominica. Isle of Beauty, Isle of Splendor. Music by Lemuel McPherson Christian. Words by Wilfred Oscar Morgan Pond. Adopted 1967.

Dominican Republic. Himno nacional. Music by José Reyés, 1883. Words by Emilio Prud’-homme, 1883. Adopted about 1900.

Ecuador. Salve, O patria (Hail, O Fatherland). Music by Antonio Neumane, 1866. Words by Juan León Mera, 1865. Adopted 1948.

Egypt. Biladi (My Homeland). Music and words by Sayed Darwish. Adopted 1979.

El Salvador. Himno nacional. Music by Juan Aberle, 1879. Words by Juan J. Cañas. Adopted 1953.

Equatorial Guinea. Himno nacional. Words by Atanasio Ndongo Miyono. Adopted 1968.

Eritrea. Iertra.

Estonia. Music by F. Pacius. Words by J. V. Jannsen.

Fiji. God Bless Fiji. Words by M. Prescott.

Finland. Maamme (Our Land). Music by Fredrik Pacius, 1848. Words by Johan Ludvig Runeberg, 1846. Adopted 1848.

France. La marseillaise (The Song of Marseille). Music and words by Claude Joseph Rouget de Lisle, 1792. Adopted 1795.

Gabon. La concorde (The Concord). Music and words by Georges Damas, 1960. Adopted 1960.

Gambia, The. National Anthem. Music by J. F. Howe, 1964, adapted from traditional Mandinka song. Words by Virginia Julia Howe, 1964. Adopted 1965.

Germany. Deutschland-Lied (Song of Germany). Music based on a melody by Franz Joseph Haydn, 1797. Words by August Heinrich Hoffmann von Fallersleben, 1841. Adopted 1922.

Ghana. Hail the Name of Ghana. Music by Phillip Gbeho, 1956. Words written, 1956; revised by government committee, 1966. Adopted 1957.

Great Britain. God Save the Queen. Music and words, anonymous. First performed, 1745.

Greece. Himnos pros tin elephtherian (Hymn to Liberty). Music by Nikolaos Mantzaros, 1828. Words by Dionysios Solomós, 1824. Adopted 1864.

Grenada. Hail Grenada. Music by Louis Masanto, Jr. Words by Irva Baptiste. Adopted 1974.

Guatemala. Himno nacional. Music by Rafael Álvarez Ovalle, 1880. Words by José Joaquín Palma, 1896. Adopted 1896.

Guinea. Peuple d’Afrique (People of Africa). Music by K. Fodeba.

Guyana. Music by Robert C. G. Potter, 1966. Words by Archibald Luker, 1965. Adopted 1966.

Haiti. La dessalinienne (The Song of Dessalines). Music by Nicolas Geffrard, 1903. Words by Justin Lhérisson, 1903. Adopted 1903.

Honduras. Himno nacional. Music by Carlos Hartling, 1904. Words by Augusto C. Coello, 1903. Adopted 1915.

Hungary. Himnusz. Music by Ferenc Erkel, 1845. Words by Ferenc Kölcsey, 1823. Adopted 1845.

Iceland. Lofsöngur (Song of Praise). Music by Sveinbjörn Sveinbjörnsson, 1874. Words by Matthias Jochumsson, 1874. Adopted 1874.

India. Jana gana mana (Thou Art the Ruler of the Minds of All People). Music and words by Rabindranath Tagore, about 1912. Adopted 1950.

Indonesia, Republic of. Indonesia raya (Great Indonesia). Music and words by Wage Rudolph Supratman, 1928. Adopted 1949.

Iran. Music by Mohammad Beglary. Words by Abolghasem Halat. Adopted 1980.

Iraq. Land of Two Rivers. Music by Walid Georges Gholmieh. Words by Shafiq Abdul Jabar al-Kamali. Adopted 1981.

Ireland, Republic of. Amthrán na bhFiann (The Soldier’s Song). Music by Peadar Kearney and Patrick Heaney, before 1911. Words by Peadar Kearney, 1907. Adopted 1926.

Israel. Hatikvah (The Hope). Music by Samuel Cohen, based on Jewish folk tune. Words by Naphtali Herz Imber, 1878. Adopted 1948.

Italy. Inno di Mameli (Mameli’s Hymn). Music by Michele Novaro, 1847. Words by Goffredo Mameli, 1847. Adopted 1946.

Jamaica. Music by Robert Lightbourne. Words by Rev. Hugh Sherlock. Adopted 1962.

Japan. Kimigayo (The Reign of Our Emperor). Music by Hiromori Hayashi, probably 1881. Words taken from an ancient poem. Adopted 1893.

Jordan, Hashemite Kingdom of. Music by Abdel Kadir al-Tannir. Words by H.E. Abdel Mune’im al Rifai, 1937. Adopted 1946.

Kenya. Wimbo wa taifa (National Anthem). Music, traditional melody. Words by a group of citizens. Adopted 1963.

Kiribati. Teirake kaini Kiribati (Stand, Kiribati). Music and words by loteba Tamuera Uriam. Adopted 1979.

Korea, North. The Song of General Kim Il Sung. Music by Kim Wp[dcl011]n-Gyun. Words by Pak Se-Yp[dcl011]ng. Adopted 1947.

Korea, South. Aegug-ga (Patriotic Hymn). Music by Eaktai Ahn. Words, anonymous. Adopted 1948.

Kuwait. National anthem: Music by Ibrahim Nasir al-Sula. No words. Adopted 1978. National song: Same melody with words by Ahmad Mushari al-Adwani.

Laos. Pheng xat Lao (Laos National Anthem). Music by Dr. Thongdy Sounthone-Vichit, 1941. Words by Sisana Sisane. Adopted 1975.

Latvia. Dievs sveti Latviju (God Bless Latvia). Music and words by Karlis Baumanis.

Lebanon. Hymne national libanais. Music by Wadih Sabra. Words by Rachid Nakhlé. Adopted 1927.

Lesotho. Music by Ferdinand-Samuel Laur. Words by François Coillard. Adopted 1967.

Liberia. All Hail, Liberia, Hail! Music by Olmstead Luca, 1860. Words by Daniel Bashiel Warner, 1847.

Libya. Allahu Akbar (God Is Greatest). Music by M. Charëif. Words by A. Shamseddein. Adopted 1969.

Liechtenstein. Oben am jungen Rhein (On the Banks of the Young Rhine). Music to the tune of God Save the Queen. Words by J. J. Jauch, 1850. Adopted 1951.

Lithuania. Lietuva tevyne musu (Lithuania, Our Fatherland). Music and words by Vincas Kudirka.

Luxembourg. Ons Hémécht (Our Homeland). Music by Jean-Antoine Zinnen, 1864. Words by Michel Lentz, 1863. Adopted 1895.

Macedonia, Republic of. Denes nad Makedonija (Today on Macedonia). Music and words by Vlado Maleski.

Madagascar. Ry tanindrazanay malala o (O, Our Beloved Country). Music by Norbert Raharisoa. Words by Pasteur Rahajason, 1958. Adopted 1958.

Malawi. O God Bless Malawi. Music and words by Michael-Fredrick Paul Sauka, 1964. Adopted 1964.

Malaysia. Negara Ku (My Country). Music based on old Malayan folk tune. Words by a special committee. Adopted 1957.

Maldives. Music by W. D. Amaradeva, 1972. Words by Mohamed Jameel Didi. Adopted 1972.

Mali, Republic of. Hymne national malien (National Hymn of Mali). Music by Banzoumana Sissoko. Words by Seydou Badian Kouyaté. Adopted 1962.

Malta. Innu Malti (Hymn of Malta). Music by Robert Sammut, about 1923. Words by Dun Karm Psaila, 1923. Adopted 1945.

Marshall Islands. Forever Marshall Islands. Music and words by Amata Kabua.

Mauritius. Motherland. Music by Philippe Gentil. Words by Jean Georges Prosper. Adopted 1968.

Mexico. Himno nacional. Music by Jaime Nunó. Words by Francisco González Bocanegra. Adopted 1943.

Monaco. Hymne monégasque. Music by Albrecht, based on a folk tune. Words by Théophile Bellando de Castro. First performed 1867.

Mongolia. Bugd nairamdakh Mongol (Anthem of Our Country). Music by Bilegyn Damdinsüren. Words by Tsevegmidyn Gaitav and Choizhilyn Chimed. Music adopted 1950; words adopted 1961.

Morocco. Words by Ali S. Houssaini.

Mozambique. Music and words by Justino Sigaulane Chemane. Adopted 1975.

Nauru. Nauru bwiema (Nauru, Our Homeland). Music by Laurence Henry Hicks. Words written collectively. Adopted 1968.

Nepal. Music by Bakhatbir Budhapirthi. Words by Chakrapani Chalise. Adopted 1899.

Netherlands. Wilhelmus van Nassouwe (William of Nassau). Music, a popular 16th-century Huguenot melody. Words attributed to Philip Marnix van St. Aldegonde, about 1568. Adopted 1932.

New Zealand. God Defend New Zealand. Music by John Joseph Woods, about 1878. Words by Thomas Bracken, 1878. Adopted 1940. Also: God Save the Queen (same as Great Britain).

Nicaragua. Himno nacional. Music probably by Anselmo Castinove. Words by Salomón Ibarra Mayorga, 1918. Adopted 1939.

Niger. La nigérienne. Music by Robert Jacquet and Nicolas Frionnet. Words by Maurice Thiriet. Adopted 1961.

Nigeria, Federal Republic of. Arise, All Compatriots. Music by Benedict Elide Odiase. Words written collectively. Adopted 1978.

Norway. Music by Rikard Nordraak, about 1863–64. Words by Bjørnstjerne Bjørnson, 1859. Adopted 1864.

Oman. Words by Rashid bin Aziz. In use since 1972.

Pakistan. Qaumi tirana (National Anthem). Music by Ahmed G. Chagla, 1950. Words by Abu al-Asar Hafeez Jullandhuri, 1951. Adopted 1954.

Panama. Himno istmeño (Isthmus Anthem). Music by Jorge A. Santos. Words by Jerónimo de la Ossa, 1904. Adopted 1925.

Papua New Guinea. Music and words by T. Shacklady. Adopted 1975.

Paraguay. Himno nacional. Music by Francés Dupuy or Louis Cavedagui. Words by Francisco Esteban Acuña de Figueroa. Adopted 1846.

Peru. Himno nacional. Music by José Bernardo Alcedo; rewritten by Claudio Rebagliati, 1869. Words by José de la Torre Ugarte, 1821. Adopted 1821.

Philippines, Republic of the. Marcha nacional Filipina. Music by Julian Felipe, 1898. Words by José Palma, 1899. First performed 1898.

Poland. Mazurek Dabrowskiego (Dombrowski’s Mazurka). Music based on a Polish folk song. Words by Józef Wybicki, 1795. Adopted 1927.

Portugal. A portuguésa (In the Portuguese Way). Music by Alfredo Keil, 1910. Words by H. Lopes de Mendonça, 1890. Adopted 1910.

Romania. De[scedil]teaptă-te, Române! (Wake Up, Romanians!). Music by A. Pann. Words by A. Mure[scedil]ianu. Adopted 1990.

Russia. Patriotcheskaya pesn (Patriotic Song). Music by Mikhail Ivanovich Glinka. Adopted 1991.

Saint Kitts and Nevis. Music and words by Kenrick Anderson Georges. Adopted 1983.

Saint Lucia. Music by Leyton Thomas. Words by Father C. Jesse. Adopted 1967.

Saint Vincent and the Grenadines. Music by Joel Bertram Miguel. Words by Phyllis Joyce McClean Punnett. Adopted 1969.

Samoa. The Banner of Freedom. Music and words by Sauni I. Kuresa, 1948. Adopted 1962.

San Marino. Music by Federico Consolo. Words by Giosuè Carducci. Adopted 1894.

São Tomé and Príncipe. Independência total (Total Independence). Music by Manuel dos Santos Barreto de Sousa e Almeida. Words by Alda Neves da Graça do Espirito Santo.

Saudi Arabia. Al-salaam al-malaki al-Saud (Royal Salute of Saud). Music by Abdul-Rahman Alkatib. Words by Ibrahim Khafaji. Adopted 1950.

Senegal. Music by Herbert Pepper. Words by Léopold Sédar Senghor. Adopted 1960.

Seychelles. Music by Pierre Dastros-Gèze. Words written collectively. Adopted 1978.

Sierra Leone. Music by John Akar, 1961. Words by C. N. Fyle, 1961. Adopted 1961.

Singapore, Republic of. Majulla Singapura (Singapore Progress). Music and words by Haji Zubir Said. Adopted 1959.

Slovakia. Nad tatru sa blyska (Lightning Flashes Over the Tatra Mountains). Music based on a folk song. Words by Janko Matupka.

Slovenia. Zdravljica (The Toast). Music by Stanko Premrl. Words by F. Pre[dcl022]eren.

Solomon Islands. Music by Panapasa Balekana. Words by Panapasa Balekana and Matila Balekana. Adopted 1978.

South Africa, Republic of. Nkosi Sikelel’ iAfrica (God Bless Africa). Music and words by Enoch Sontonga, 1897; additional verses by Samuel Mqayi. Adopted 1994. Also: Die stem van Suid-Afrika (The Call of South Africa). Music by Rev. M. L. de Villiers, 1928. Words by C. J. Langenhoven, 1918. Adopted 1936; English version adopted 1952.

Spain. Marcha real (Royal March). Music is an 18th-century melody. No words. Adopted 1770.

Sri Lanka. Sri Lanka matha (Mother Sri Lanka). Music and words by Ananda Samarakone. Adopted 1952.

Sudan, Republic of the. Jundi al-Allah (Soldiers of God). Music by Ahmad Murjan. Words by Ahmad Muhammad Salih. Adopted 1956.

Suriname. Surinaams Volkslied. Music by J. C. de Puij, 1876. Words by C. A. Hoekstra and Henry de Ziel. Adopted 1959.

Swaziland. Music by David Rycroft. Words by A. F. K. Simelane. Adopted 1968.

Sweden. Du gamla, du fria (The Swedish National Anthem). Music based on German folk tune. Words by Richard Dybeck, 1844. In use since the 1880s.

Switzerland. (Ger.) Schweizer Psalm; (Fr.) Cantique suisse; (Ital.) Salmo svizzero; (Romansh) Psalm svizzer (The Swiss Hymn). Music by Father Alberich Zwyssig. Words by Leonhard Widmer, Charles Chatelanat, Camillo Valsangiacomo, Alfons Tuor, and Gion Antoni Bühler. Adopted 1961.

Syria. An-Nashid as-Suri (Syrian National Anthem). Music by Ahmad and Muhammad Fulayfel. Words by Khalil Mardam Bey. Adopted 1936.

Taiwan. San min chu i (The Three Principles of Democracy). Music by Ch’eng Mao-yün, 1929. Words by Sun Yat-sen. Adopted 1929.

Tanzania, United Republic of. Mungu ibariki Afrika (God Bless Africa). Based on Nkosi Sikelel’ iAfrica (God Bless Africa), by Enoch Sontonga, 1897. Words by group of Tanzanian citizens, 1961. Adopted 1961.

Thailand. Phleng Chat (National Anthem). Music by Phra Chenduriyang. Words by Luang Saranuprabhandh. Adopted 1939. Royal anthem: Phleng sansasoen phra barami. Music by Huvitzen, 1872. Words by Prince Narisaranuvadtivongs; revised by King Rama VI, about 1913. Adopted 1872.

Togo. Music and words written by the Togolese People’s Assembly. Adopted 1979.

Tonga. Music by Karl Gustavus Schmitt. Words by Prince Uelingatoni Ngu Tupoumalohi. First reported use 1874.

Trinidad and Tobago. Music and words by Patrick S. Castagne, 1962. Adopted 1962.

Tunisia. Humata al-Hima (Defenders of the Homeland). Music by M. A. Wahab. Words by Mustafa ar-Rafi.

Turkey. Istiklâl mar[scedil]i (March of Independence). Music by Osman Zeki Üngör, 1922. Words by Mehmet Akif Ersoy, 1921. Adopted 1921.

Tuvalu. Music and words by Afaese Manoa. Adopted 1978.

Uganda. Pearl of Africa. Music by G. W. Kakoma. Words by G. W. Kakoma and P. Wyngard. Adopted 1962.

Ukraine. Shche ne vmerla, Ukrayina (Ukraine Is Not Yet Dead). Music by V. Verbytsky, 1885. Words by Pavlo Chubynsky, 1863.

United Arab Emirates. Music by Mohammed Abdul-Wahab. No words. Adopted 1971.

United States of America. The Star-Spangled Banner. Music attributed to John Stafford Smith, 1777. Words by Francis Scott Key, 1814. Adopted 1931.

Uruguay. Himno nacional. Music by Fernando Quijano and Francisco José Deballi. Words by Francisco Esteban Acuña de Figueroa. Adopted 1845.

Vanuatu. Yumi, yumi, yumi (We, We, We). Music and words by François Vincent. Adopted 1980.

Vatican City. Inno pontificio (Papal Hymn). Music by Charles Gounod. Words by Antonio Allegra. Adopted 1950.

Venezuela. Himno nacional. Music by Juan José Landaeta, about 1810. Words by Vicente Salias. Adopted 1881.

Vietnam. Tien quân ca (Forward, Soldiers!). Music and words by Van Cao. Adopted 1976.

Yugoslavia. Hej slavení (Fellow Slavs). Music based on folk song. Words by Samuel Tomašik. Adopted 1945.

Zambia. Stand and Sing of Zambia. Based on Nkosi Sikelel’ iAfrica (God Bless Africa), by Enoch Sontonga, 1897. Words written collectively. Adopted 1964.

Zimbabwe. Music by Fred Changundega. Words by Soloman Mutsvairo. Adopted 1994.

For further information on this topic, see the Bibliography, section 738. National anthems.