Length: 129 words
Anthem lyrics (use the arrow on the left to collapse this section):
Fair Antigua and Barbuda!
We thy sons and daughters stand
Strong and firm in peace or danger
To safeguard our native land
We commit ourselves to building
A true nation brave and free;
Ever striving, ever seeking,
Dwell in love and unity
Raise the standard! Raise it boldly!
Answer now to duty’s call
To the service of thy country,
Sparing nothing, giving all;
Gird your loins and join the battle
‘Gainst fear, hate and poverty,
Each endeavouring, all achieving,
Live in peace where man is free.
God of nations, let Thy blessings
Fall upon this land of ours;
Rain and sunshine ever sending,
Fill her fields with crops and flowers;
We her children do implore Thee,
Give us strength, faith, loyalty,
Never failing, all enduring
To defend her liberty.
Historical context:
“Fair Antigua, We Salute Thee” is the national anthem of Antigua and Barbuda. Like some other Caribbean Commonwealth member states, its anthem was first written when the country was semi-independent through a mechanism termed “Statehood in association with Britain.” When Antigua and Barbuda became fully independent in 1981, the lyrics, written by Novelle Richards, were slightly modified to reflect the attainment of complete national sovereignty.The first verse (which is the part of the song that is usually performed) was changed from:
Proudly we this Anthem raise
To thy Glory and thy beauty
Joyfully we sing the praise
Of thy virtues all bestowed
On thy sons and daughters free
Ever striving, ever seeking
Dwell in love and unity.
to the following:
We thy sons and daughters stand
Strong and firm in peace or danger
To safeguard our native land
We commit ourselves to building
A true nation brave and free
Ever striving ever seeking
Dwell in love and unity.
As a Commonwealth realm that still recognizes the Queen Elizabeth II as its titular head of state, Antigua and Barbuda also uses “God Save the Queen” as its royal anthem, alongside its national anthem.
Performance: