Rise O Voices of Rhodesia
Encyclopedia
Rise O Voices of Rhodesia was adopted as the national anthem
of Rhodesia
in 1974, during the years of international isolation
that followed its Unilateral Declaration of Independence from the United Kingdom
in 1965. The tune was that of the "Ode to Joy
" from Beethoven
's Symphony No. 9
("The Choral Symphony"), which was also used by the Council of Europe
, and subsequently by the European Union
. The words, written by Mary Bloom, a South Africa
n living in Gwelo (Gweru
since 1982), were chosen from a national competition.
National anthem
A national anthem is a generally patriotic musical composition that evokes and eulogizes the history, traditions and struggles of its people, recognized either by a nation's government as the official national song, or by convention through use by the people.- History :Anthems rose to prominence...
of Rhodesia
Rhodesia
Rhodesia , officially the Republic of Rhodesia from 1970, was an unrecognised state located in southern Africa that existed between 1965 and 1979 following its Unilateral Declaration of Independence from the United Kingdom on 11 November 1965...
in 1974, during the years of international isolation
International isolation
International isolation is a penalty applied by the international community or a sizeable or powerful group of countries, like the United Nations, towards one nation, government or people group...
that followed its Unilateral Declaration of Independence from the United Kingdom
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
in 1965. The tune was that of the "Ode to Joy
Ode to Joy
"Ode to Joy" is an ode written in 1785 by the German poet, playwright and historian Friedrich Schiller, enthusiastically celebrating the brotherhood and unity of all mankind...
" from Beethoven
Ludwig van Beethoven
Ludwig van Beethoven was a German composer and pianist. A crucial figure in the transition between the Classical and Romantic eras in Western art music, he remains one of the most famous and influential composers of all time.Born in Bonn, then the capital of the Electorate of Cologne and part of...
's Symphony No. 9
Symphony No. 9 (Beethoven)
The Symphony No. 9 in D minor, Op. 125, is the final complete symphony of Ludwig van Beethoven. Completed in 1824, the symphony is one of the best known works of the Western classical repertoire, and has been adapted for use as the European Anthem...
("The Choral Symphony"), which was also used by the Council of Europe
Council of Europe
The Council of Europe is an international organisation promoting co-operation between all countries of Europe in the areas of legal standards, human rights, democratic development, the rule of law and cultural co-operation...
, and subsequently by the European Union
European Union
The European Union is an economic and political union of 27 independent member states which are located primarily in Europe. The EU traces its origins from the European Coal and Steel Community and the European Economic Community , formed by six countries in 1958...
. The words, written by Mary Bloom, a South Africa
South Africa
The Republic of South Africa is a country in southern Africa. Located at the southern tip of Africa, it is divided into nine provinces, with of coastline on the Atlantic and Indian oceans...
n living in Gwelo (Gweru
Gweru
Gweru is a city near the centre of Zimbabwe at . It has a population of about 146,073 , making it the third largest city in the nation. Gweru is the capital of Midlands Province. Gweru was founded in 1894 by Dr. Leander Starr Jameson. The first bank opened in Gweru in 1896, and the stock exchange...
since 1982), were chosen from a national competition.
Lyrics
- Rise O voices of Rhodesia,
- God may we thy bounty share,
- Give us strength to face all danger,
- And where challenge is, to dare.
- Guide us, Lord, to wise decision,
- Ever of thy grace aware.
- Oh, let our hearts beat bravely always
- For this land within thy care.
- Rise O voices of Rhodesia,
- Bringing her your proud acclaim,
- Grandly echoing through the mountains
- Rolling over far flung plain
- Roaring in the mighty rivers
- Joining in one grand refrain
- Ascending to the sunlit heavens
- Telling of her honoured name
See also
- National Anthem of ZimbabweNational Anthem of ZimbabweBlessed be the Land of Zimbabwe is the national anthem of Zimbabwe. It was introduced in March 1994 after a nation-wide competition to replace with a distinctly Zimbabwean song. The winning entry was a song written by Professor Solomon Mutswairo and composed by Fred Changundega...
- List of historical national anthems
- List of national anthems
- The Anthem of EuropeAnthem of Europe"Ode to Joy" is the anthem of the European Union and the Council of Europe; both of which refer to it as the European Anthem due to the Council's intention that it represents Europe as a whole, rather than any organisation...
is sung to the same tune.