Lao National Anthem
Template:Short description Template:Infobox anthem
The Lao National Anthem (Template:Langx Pheng Xat Lao, Template:IPA) is the national anthem of the Lao People's Democratic Republic. It was written and composed in 1941 by Thongdy Sounthonevichit. It was adopted as the national anthem of the Kingdom of Laos in 1945. The original lyrics were revised after the Communists triumphed in the Laotian Civil War and established the Lao People's Democratic Republic in 1975, with the new lyrics written by Sisana Sisane.<ref name=CIA/>
History
In 1893, Laos became a protectorate of France within its colonial empire. The French claimed their annexation was to protect Laos from "hostile neighbors" such as China and especially Siam, which had been militarily forced to cede Laos to the European colonial power. In reality, France simply ruled Laos as a colony, bringing in Vietnamese to work in its governing. The transferring of control from 1 master to another meant that nationalist sentiment did not develop as it did in formerly independent Vietnam. The outbreak of the Second World War saw the fall of France to Nazi Germany. The right-wing government in Siam saw this as a possible opportunity to regain formerly Thai territory lost to France, especially the land located on the Thai side of the Mekong River. To counteract this, the French colonial government began promoting the re-emergence of Lao nationalism.<ref name=LP>Template:Cite web</ref>
Because of this liberalization, some patriotic songs were composed, each 1 emphasizing Lao "uniqueness".<ref>Template:Cite book</ref> "Pheng Xat Lao" was one of them, having been composed by Thongdy Sounthonevichit in 1941<ref>Template:Cite book</ref> with lyrics written by Maha Phoumi Chittaphong under the name "Lao Hak Xat" (the patriotic Laos).<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> It was chosen as the national anthem in 1945,<ref name=CIA>Template:Cite web</ref> when the king was forced by the Japanese occupiers to declare Laos independent from French rule. France regained control of French Indochina after Japan's surrender in 1945.<ref name=LP/> In 1947, France granted limited autonomy to Laos within the French Union, and "Pheng Xat Lao" became the national anthem.<ref>Template:Cite encyclopedia Template:Subscription required</ref>
When the Pathet Lao emerged victorious in the Laotian Civil War in 1975, thanks to North Vietnamese assistance, the communist government abolished the monarchy and changed the lyrics to reflect the ideology of the Marxist government.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref> As a result, the anthem became all-encompassing, mentioning all ethnic groups in Laos, instead of focusing on the Lao race and Buddhism. The melody was retained.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref>
Lyrics
1975 lyrics
| Lao original<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> | Romanization<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> | IPA transcriptionTemplate:EfnTemplate:Fix | English translationTemplate:Citation needed |
|---|---|---|---|
| <poem>Template:Langໄປສູ່ຄວາມວັດທະນາ</poem> | <poem>Template:Transliteration</poem> | <poem>Template:IPA</poem> | <poem>For all time, the Lao people
Have glorified their motherland, United in heart, Spirit and vigor as one. Resolutely moving forwards, Respecting and increasing the dignity of the Lao people And proclaiming the right to be their own masters. The Lao people of all origins are equal And will no longer allow imperialists And traitors to harm them. The entire people will safeguard the independence And the freedom of the Lao nation. They are resolved to struggle for victory In order to lead the nation to prosperity.</poem> |
Original lyrics (1947–1975)
| Lao original | Romanization | Literal English translation | Poetic English translation (singable) |
|---|---|---|---|
| <poem>Template:Lang</poem> | <poem>Sāt Lāo tangtǣ dœ̄mmā
Khưn sư lư sā yūnai āsi Sāo Lāo phūkphan maitri Hūam sāmakkhi hak hō̜ ōmkan. Haksat hak pathēt hao Hak chao pak kēt kēsā Hōm hak hūam sāsanā Tǣ būhān mā hak sā tindǣn. Bō̜ hai sāt dai mā luān Hā vi hab kuān nyāt nyǣng sing ao Phai khưn khao mā lū vunvāi Su chan tao tāi tān thān sattrū. Sūay sœ̄t su lư̄at nư̄a sư̄a phao Phư̄n phū kū ao banthao thuk kan.</poem> |
<poem>In the old days, our Lao people
Were famous all over Asia. Because the Lao Were united in love. Still today, they love their people and country And rally around their Kings. They preserve the religion of their fathers, And protect the soil of their ancestors. They will never allow another nation to threaten them Or to occupy their territory. Every enemy who enters their country Will find them ready to fight until death. All together, they can restore the ancient glory of their blood, and they will stand together in the days of danger.</poem> |
<poem>Once our Laotian race
In Asia highly honored stood And at that time the folk Of Laos were united in love Today they love their race And rally round their chiefs They guard the land and the Religion of their ancestors They will resist each foe Who may oppress them or invade And such invaders will Be met with battle unto death They'll restore the fame of Laos And through ills united stand.</poem> |
Notes
References
External links
- Template:YouTube
- Template:YouTube
- Michael Sauser and Gilbert Greeve - Sauser and Greeve sing the anthem on their CD "Hymnen der Welt: Asien"
- "Pheng Xat Lao" at empas.com
- Dookola Swiata - This travel website has an instrumental version of the Anthem, as an .asx file.
Template:Nationalanthemsofasia Template:Authority control Template:Laos topics