La Dessalinienne

"{{#invoke:Lang|lang}}" ({{#invoke:IPA|main}}; Template:Lit) is the national anthem of Haiti. This march was written by Justin Lhérisson and composed by Nicolas Geffrard.<ref name="ayitihistory">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>Template:Cite book</ref>

Etymology

"La Dessalinienne" is named in honor of Haiti's revolutionary leader and first ruler Jean-Jacques Dessalines.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref> The title was suggested by historian Clément Lanier.<ref name="Référence">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

History

To commemorate the 100th anniversary of the Haitian Revolution, a competition was held for a national anthem in 1903. The poetic words of Justin Lhérisson and martial composition of Nicolas Geffrard won over the judges,<ref name="Hall">Template:Cite book</ref> who preferred it to "L'Artibonitienne" by Capois diplomat Louis Edouard Pouget.<ref name="Référence" />

The anthem was premiered at an October 1903 celebration of the Armée Indigène's entry into Port-au-Prince organised by the Association du Petit Théâtre.<ref name="Référence" /> It was sung by Auguste de Pradines, also known as Kandjo.<ref name=averill97>Template:Cite book</ref>Template:Rp The text and music were printed at Bernard's in Port-au-Prince and distributed throughout the country during the week.<ref name="Référence" /> It was officially adopted as the national anthem in 1904.<ref name="Hall" />

Lyrics

As a one-verse rendition can be relatively short, a common way to lengthen a performance is to perform an abridged arrangement consisting of the first verse immediately followed by the last.<ref name="ayitihistory" />

Official lyrics

Literal translation

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<poem>For the Country, for the Ancestors, Let us march united, let us march united. Let there be no traitors in our ranks! Let us be the only masters of our soil. Let us march united, let us march united For the Country, for the Ancestors, Let us march, let us march, let us march united, For the Country, for the Ancestors… For the Forefathers, for the Fatherland Let us toil joyous, let us toil joyous. When the field fructifieth The soul fortifieth Let us toil joyous, let us toil joyous For the Forefathers, for the Fatherland Let us toil, let us toil, let us toil joyous For the Forefathers, for the Fatherland. For the Country and for our Fathers Let us train Sons, let us train Sons Free, strong and prosperous We shall always be brothers Let us train Sons, Let us train Sons For the Country and for our Fathers Let us train, let us train, let us train Sons For the Country and for our Fathers. For the Forefathers, for the Fatherland O Lord of the Valiant, O Lord of the Valiant! Under Thine infinite protection Take our rights, our life O Lord of the Valiant, O Lord of the Valiant! For the Forefathers, for the Fatherland O Lord, O Lord, O Lord of the Valiant For the Forefathers, for the Fatherland. For the Flag, for the Fatherland To die is beautiful, to die is beautiful! Our past crieth out to us: Have a hardened soul! To die is beautiful, to die is beautiful For the Flag, for the Fatherland To die, to die, to die is beautiful For the Flag, for the Fatherland.</poem>

Unofficial lyrics

A Haitian Creole version (Desalinyèn) was created by Raymond A. Moise, and Haitian singer Ansy Dérose (1934–1998) helped popularize it in 1980. Although it became widely accepted, it is not official.<ref name="ayitihistory" /><ref name="Référence Creole">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Literal translation

Haitian Creole original<ref name="Référence Creole" /><ref>Template:Cite book</ref><ref>Template:Cite book</ref> IPA transcriptionTemplate:Efn lang}}</poem> main}}</poem>

<poem>For Haiti, the Country of the Ancestors we must walk hand in hand There must not be traitors among us – We alone must be our master Let us walk hand in hand that Haiti may be more beautiful Let us put our heads together for Haiti on behalf of all the ancestors For Haiti on the behalf of the Ancestors Let us mow, let us sow. All our strength rests in the soul – It is what feeds us. Let us mound up earth, let us send water With joy, the earth must be fertile Mow, water, women and men that we may live by our own arms' strength alone. For Haiti and for the Ancestors We must be courageous, capable men. People are not born to serve others That is why all mothers and fathers Need to send children to school, to learn, to know what Toussaint, Dessalines, Christophe, Pétion did to take Haitians from under the whites' rope. For Haiti on the behalf of the Ancestors Let us raise our head and look above. Let everyone to ask the Lord to grant us protection that the evil angels may not divert us, that we may walk in the right path. For liberty to be able to liberate, justice must spread over the country! We have a flag like all peoples. Let us love it, die for it. It was not a gift from the whites – It was our Ancestors' blood that was shed. Let us hold our flag high. Let us work together and focus that other countries may respect it This flag is the soul of every Haitian.</poem>

See also

• Flag of Haiti
• "Haïti Chérie"
• Music of Haiti
• "Quand nos Aïeux brisèrent leurs entraves"

External links

• "La Dessalinienne" (mp3)