Skip to main content
Go to CIA.gov
Field Listing

National anthem

A generally patriotic musical composition - usually in the form of a song or hymn of praise - that evokes and eulogizes the history, traditions, or struggles of a nation or its people. National anthems can be officially recognized as a national song by a country's constitution or by an enacted law, or simply by tradition. Although most anthems contain lyrics, some do not.

  • Afghanistan

    name: "Milli Surood" (National Anthem)

    lyrics/music: Abdul Bari JAHANI/Babrak WASA

    note: adopted 2006; the 2004 constitution of the post-Taliban government mandated that a new national anthem should be written containing the phrase "Allahu Akbar" (God is Greatest) and mentioning the names of Afghanistan's ethnic groups

  • Akrotiri

    note: as a UK area of special sovereignty, "God Save the Queen" is official (see United Kingdom)

  • Albania

    name: "Hymni i Flamurit" (Hymn to the Flag)

    lyrics/music: Aleksander Stavre DRENOVA/Ciprian PORUMBESCU

    note: adopted 1912

  • Algeria

    name: "Kassaman" (We Pledge)

    lyrics/music: Mufdi ZAKARIAH/Mohamed FAWZI

    note: adopted 1962; ZAKARIAH wrote "Kassaman" as a poem while imprisoned in Algiers by French colonial forces

  • American Samoa

    name: "Amerika Samoa" (American Samoa)

    lyrics/music: Mariota Tiumalu TUIASOSOPO/Napoleon Andrew TUITELELEAPAGA

    note: local anthem adopted 1950; as a territory of the United States, "The Star-Spangled Banner" is official (see United States)

  • Andorra

    name: "El Gran Carlemany" (The Great Charlemagne)

    lyrics/music: Joan BENLLOCH i VIVO/Enric MARFANY BONS

    note: adopted 1921; the anthem provides a brief history of Andorra in a first person narrative

  • Angola

    name: "Angola Avante" (Forward Angola)

    lyrics/music: Manuel Rui Alves MONTEIRO/Rui Alberto Vieira Dias MINGAO

    note: adopted 1975

  • Anguilla

    name: God Bless Anguilla

    lyrics/music: Alex RICHARDSON

    note: local anthem adopted 1981; as a territory of the United Kingdom, "God Save the Queen" is official (see United Kingdom)

  • Antigua and Barbuda

    name: Fair Antigua, We Salute Thee

    lyrics/music: Novelle Hamilton RICHARDS/Walter Garnet Picart CHAMBERS

    note: adopted 1967; as a Commonwealth country, in addition to the national anthem, "God Save the Queen" serves as the royal anthem (see United Kingdom)

  • Argentina

    name: "Himno Nacional Argentino" (Argentine National Anthem)

    lyrics/music: Vicente LOPEZ y PLANES/Jose Blas PARERA

    note: adopted 1813; Vicente LOPEZ was inspired to write the anthem after watching a play about the 1810 May Revolution against Spain

  • Armenia

    name: "Mer Hayrenik" (Our Fatherland)

    lyrics/music: Mikael NALBANDIAN/Barsegh KANACHYAN

    note: adopted 1991; based on the anthem of the Democratic Republic of Armenia (1918-1922) but with different lyrics

  • Aruba

    name: "Aruba Deshi Tera" (Aruba Precious Country)

    lyrics/music: Juan Chabaya 'Padu' LAMPE/Rufo Inocencio WEVER

    note: local anthem adopted 1986; as part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, "Het Wilhelmus" is official (see Netherlands)

  • Australia

    name: Advance Australia Fair

    lyrics/music: Peter Dodds McCORMICK

    note: adopted 1984; although originally written in the late 19th century, the anthem was not used for all official occasions until 1984; as a Commonwealth country, in addition to the national anthem, "God Save the Queen" serves as the royal anthem (see United Kingdom)

  • Austria

    name: "Bundeshymne" (Federal Hymn)

    lyrics/music: Paula von PRERADOVIC/Wolfgang Amadeus MOZART or Johann HOLZER (disputed)

    note: adopted 1947; the anthem is also known as "Land der Berge, Land am Strome" (Land of the Mountains, Land by the River); Austria adopted a new national anthem after World War II to replace the former imperial anthem composed by Franz Josef HAYDN, which had been appropriated by Germany in 1922 and was thereafter associated with the Nazi regime; a gendered version of the lyrics was adopted by the Austrian Federal Assembly in fall 2011 and became effective 1 January 2012

  • Azerbaijan

    name: "Azerbaijan Marsi" (March of Azerbaijan)

    lyrics/music: Ahmed JAVAD/Uzeyir HAJIBEYOV

    note: adopted 1992; although originally written in 1919 during a brief period of independence, "Azerbaijan Marsi" did not become the official anthem until after the dissolution of the Soviet Union

  • Bahamas, The

    name: March On, Bahamaland!

    lyrics/music: Timothy GIBSON

    note: adopted 1973; as a Commonwealth country, in addition to the national anthem, "God Save the Queen" serves as the royal anthem (see United Kingdom)

  • Bahrain

    name: "Bahrainona" (Our Bahrain)

    lyrics/music: unknown

    note: adopted 1971; although Mohamed Sudqi AYYASH wrote the original lyrics, they were changed in 2002 following the transformation of Bahrain from an emirate to a kingdom

  • Bangladesh

    name: "Amar Shonar Bangla" (My Golden Bengal)

    lyrics/music: Rabindranath TAGORE

    note: adopted 1971; Rabindranath TAGORE, a Nobel laureate, also wrote India's national anthem

  • Barbados

    name: The National Anthem of Barbados

    lyrics/music: Irving BURGIE/C. Van Roland EDWARDS

    note: adopted 1966; the anthem is also known as "In Plenty and In Time of Need"

  • Belarus

    name: "My, Bielarusy" (We Belarusians)

    lyrics/music: Mikhas KLIMKOVICH and Uladzimir KARYZNA/Nester SAKALOUSKI

    note: music adopted 1955, lyrics adopted 2002; after the fall of the Soviet Union, Belarus kept the music of its Soviet-era anthem but adopted new lyrics; also known as "Dziarzauny himn Respubliki Bielarus" (State Anthem of the Republic of Belarus)

  • Belgium

    name: "La Brabanconne" (The Song of Brabant)

    lyrics/music: Louis-Alexandre DECHET[French] Victor CEULEMANS [Dutch]/Francois VAN CAMPENHOUT

    note: adopted 1830; according to legend, Louis-Alexandre DECHET, an actor at the theater in which the revolution against the Netherlands began, wrote the lyrics with a group of young people in a Brussels cafe

  • Belize

    name: Land of the Free

    lyrics/music: Samuel Alfred HAYNES/Selwyn Walford YOUNG

    note: adopted 1981; as a Commonwealth country, in addition to the national anthem, "God Save the Queen" serves as the royal anthem (see United Kingdom)

  • Benin

    name: "L'Aube Nouvelle" (The Dawn of a New Day)

    lyrics/music: Gilbert Jean DAGNON

    note: adopted 1960

  • Bermuda

    name: Hail to Bermuda

    lyrics/music: Bette JOHNS

    note: serves as a local anthem; as a territory of the United Kingdom, "God Save the Queen" is official (see United Kingdom)

  • Bhutan

    name: "Druk tsendhen" (The Thunder Dragon Kingdom)

    lyrics/music: Gyaldun Dasho Thinley DORJI/Aku TONGMI

    note: adopted 1953

  • Bolivia

    name: "Cancion Patriotica" (Patriotic Song)

    lyrics/music: Jose Ignacio de SANJINES/Leopoldo Benedetto VINCENTI

    note: adopted 1852

  • Bosnia and Herzegovina

    name: "Drzavna himna Bosne i Hercegovine" (The National Anthem of Bosnia and Herzegovina)

    lyrics/music: none officially; Dusan SESTIC and Benjamin ISOVIC/Dusan SESTIC

    note: music adopted 1999; lyrics proposed in 2009 and others in 2016 were not approved; a parliamentary committee launched a new initiative for lyrics in February 2018

  • Botswana

    name: "Fatshe leno la rona" (Our Land)

    lyrics/music: Kgalemang Tumedisco MOTSETE

    note: adopted 1966

  • Brazil

    name: "Hino Nacional Brasileiro" (Brazilian National Anthem)

    lyrics/music: Joaquim Osorio Duque ESTRADA/Francisco Manoel DA SILVA

    note: music adopted 1890, lyrics adopted 1922; the anthem's music, composed in 1822, was used unofficially for many years before it was adopted

  • British Virgin Islands

    note: as a territory of the United Kingdom, "God Save the Queen" is official (see United Kingdom)

  • Brunei

    name: "Allah Peliharakan Sultan" (God Bless His Majesty)

    lyrics/music: Pengiran Haji Mohamed YUSUF bin Pengiran Abdul Rahim/Awang Haji BESAR bin Sagap

    note: adopted 1951

  • Bulgaria

    name: "Mila Rodino" (Dear Homeland)

    lyrics/music: Tsvetan Tsvetkov RADOSLAVOV

    note: adopted 1964; composed in 1885 by a student en route to fight in the Serbo-Bulgarian War

  • Burkina Faso

    name: "Le Ditanye" (Anthem of Victory)

    lyrics/music: Thomas SANKARA

    note: adopted 1974; also known as "Une Seule Nuit" (One Single Night); written by the country's former president, an avid guitar player

  • Burma

    name: "Kaba Ma Kyei" (Till the End of the World, Myanmar)

    lyrics/music: SAYA TIN

    note: adopted 1948; Burma is among a handful of non-European nations that have anthems rooted in indigenous traditions; the beginning portion of the anthem is a traditional Burmese anthem before transitioning into a Western-style orchestrated work

  • Burundi

    name: "Burundi Bwacu" (Our Beloved Burundi)

    lyrics/music: Jean-Baptiste NTAHOKAJA/Marc BARENGAYABO

    note: adopted 1962

  • Cabo Verde

    name: "Cantico da Liberdade" (Song of Freedom)

    lyrics/music: Amilcar Spencer LOPES/Adalberto Higino Tavares SILVA

    note: adopted 1996

  • Cambodia

    name: "Nokoreach" (Royal Kingdom)

    lyrics/music: CHUON NAT/F. PERRUCHOT and J. JEKYLL

    note: adopted 1941, restored 1993; the anthem, based on a Cambodian folk tune, was restored after the defeat of the Communist regime

  • Cameroon

    name: "O Cameroun, Berceau de nos Ancetres" (O Cameroon, Cradle of Our Forefathers)

    lyrics/music: Rene Djam AFAME, Samuel Minkio BAMBA, Moise Nyatte NKO'O [French], Benard Nsokika FONLON [English]/Rene Djam AFAME

    note: adopted 1957; Cameroon's anthem, also known as "Chant de Ralliement" (The Rallying Song), has been used unofficially since 1948 and officially adopted in 1957; the anthem has French and English versions whose lyrics differ

  • Canada

    name: O Canada

    lyrics/music: Adolphe-Basile ROUTHIER [French], Robert Stanley WEIR [English]/Calixa LAVALLEE

    note: adopted 1980; originally written in 1880, "O Canada" served as an unofficial anthem many years before its official adoption; the anthem has French and English versions whose lyrics differ; as a Commonwealth realm, in addition to the national anthem, "God Save the Queen" serves as the royal anthem (see United Kingdom)

  • Cayman Islands

    name: Beloved Isle Cayman

    lyrics/music: Leila E. ROSS

    note: adopted 1993; served as an unofficial anthem since 1930; as a territory of the United Kingdom, in addition to the local anthem, "God Save the Queen" is official (see United Kingdom)

  • Central African Republic

    name: "Le Renaissance" (The Renaissance)

    lyrics/music: Barthelemy BOGANDA/Herbert PEPPER

    note: adopted 1960; Barthelemy BOGANDA wrote the anthem's lyrics and was the first prime minister of the autonomous French territory

  • Chad

    name: "La Tchadienne" (The Chadian)

    lyrics/music: Louis GIDROL and his students/Paul VILLARD

    note: adopted 1960

  • Chile

    name: "Himno Nacional de Chile" (National Anthem of Chile)

    lyrics/music: Eusebio LILLO Robles and Bernardo DE VERA y Pintado/Ramon CARNICER y Battle

    note: music adopted 1828, original lyrics adopted 1818, adapted lyrics adopted 1847; under Augusto PINOCHET's military rule, a verse glorifying the army was added; however, as a protest, some citizens refused to sing this verse; it was removed when democracy was restored in 1990

  • China

    name: "Yiyongjun Jinxingqu" (The March of the Volunteers)

    lyrics/music: TIAN Han/NIE Er

    note: adopted 1949; the anthem, though banned during the Cultural Revolution, is more commonly known as "Zhongguo Guoge" (Chinese National Song); it was originally the theme song to the 1935 Chinese movie, "Sons and Daughters in a Time of Storm"

  • Christmas Island

    note: as a territory of Australia, "Advance Australia Fair" remains official as the national anthem, while "God Save the Queen" serves as the royal anthem (see Australia)

  • Cocos (Keeling) Islands

    note: as a territory of Australia, "Advance Australia Fair" remains official as the national anthem, while "God Save the Queen" serves as the royal anthem (see Australia)

  • Colombia

    name: "Himno Nacional de la Republica de Colombia" (National Anthem of the Republic of Colombia)

    lyrics/music: Rafael NUNEZ/Oreste SINDICI

    note: adopted 1920; the anthem was created from an inspirational poem written by President Rafael NUNEZ

  • Comoros

    name: "Udzima wa ya Masiwa" (The Union of the Great Islands)

    lyrics/music: Said Hachim SIDI ABDEREMANE/Said Hachim SIDI ABDEREMANE and Kamildine ABDALLAH

    note: adopted 1978

  • Congo, Democratic Republic of the

    name: "Debout Congolaise" (Arise Congolese)

    lyrics/music: Joseph LUTUMBA/Simon-Pierre BOKA di Mpasi Londi

    note: adopted 1960; replaced when the country was known as Zaire; but readopted in 1997

  • Congo, Republic of the

    name: "La Congolaise" (The Congolese)

    lyrics/music: Jacques TONDRA and Georges KIBANGHI/Jean ROYER and Joseph SPADILIERE

    note: originally adopted 1959, restored 1991

  • Cook Islands

    name: "Te Atua Mou E" (To God Almighty)

    lyrics/music: Tepaeru Te RITO/Thomas DAVIS

    note: adopted 1982; as prime minister, Sir Thomas DAVIS composed the anthem; his wife, a tribal chief, wrote the lyrics

  • Costa Rica

    name: "Himno Nacional de Costa Rica" (National Anthem of Costa Rica)

    lyrics/music: Jose Maria ZELEDON Brenes/Manuel Maria GUTIERREZ

    note: adopted 1949; the anthem's music was originally written for an 1853 welcome ceremony for diplomatic missions from the US and UK; the lyrics were added in 1903

  • Cote d'Ivoire

    name: "L'Abidjanaise" (Song of Abidjan)

    lyrics/music: Mathieu EKRA, Joachim BONY, and Pierre Marie COTY/Pierre Marie COTY and Pierre Michel PANGO

    note: adopted 1960; although the nation's capital city moved from Abidjan to Yamoussoukro in 1983, the anthem still owes its name to the former capital

  • Croatia

    name: "Lijepa nasa domovino" (Our Beautiful Homeland)

    lyrics/music: Antun MIHANOVIC/Josip RUNJANIN

    note: adopted in 1972 while still part of Yugoslavia; "Lijepa nasa domovino," whose lyrics were written in 1835, served as an unofficial anthem beginning in 1891

  • Cuba

    name: "La Bayamesa" (The Bayamo Song)

    lyrics/music: Pedro FIGUEREDO

    note: adopted 1940; Pedro FIGUEREDO first performed "La Bayamesa" in 1868 during the Ten Years War against the Spanish; a leading figure in the uprising, FIGUEREDO was captured in 1870 and executed by a firing squad; just prior to the fusillade he is reputed to have shouted, "Morir por la Patria es vivir" (To die for the country is to live), a line from the anthem

  • Curacao

    name: Himmo di Korsou (Anthem of Curacao)

    lyrics/music: Guillermo ROSARIO, Mae HENRIQUEZ, Enrique MULLER, Betty DORAN/Frater Candidus NOWENS, Errol "El Toro" COLINA

    note: adapted 1978; the lyrics, originally written in 1899, were rewritten in 1978 to make them less colonial in nature

  • Cyprus

    name: "Ymnos eis tin Eleftherian" (Hymn to Liberty)

    lyrics/music: Dionysios SOLOMOS/Nikolaos MANTZAROS

    note: adopted 1960; Cyprus adopted the Greek national anthem as its own; the Turkish Cypriot community in Cyprus uses the anthem of Turkey

  • Czechia

    name: "Kde domov muj?" (Where is My Home?)

    lyrics/music: Josef Kajetan TYL/Frantisek Jan SKROUP

    note: adopted 1993; the anthem was originally written as incidental music to the play "Fidlovacka" (1834), it soon became very popular as an unofficial anthem of the Czech nation; its first verse served as the official Czechoslovak anthem beginning in 1918, while the second verse (Slovak) was dropped after the split of Czechoslovakia in 1993

  • Denmark

    name: "Der er et yndigt land" (There is a Lovely Country); "Kong Christian" (King Christian)

    lyrics/music: Adam Gottlob OEHLENSCHLAGER/Hans Ernst KROYER; Johannes EWALD/unknown

    note: Denmark has two national anthems with equal status; "Der er et yndigt land," adopted 1844, is a national anthem, while "Kong Christian," adopted 1780, serves as both a national and royal anthem; "Kong Christian" is also known as "Kong Christian stod ved hojen mast" (King Christian Stood by the Lofty Mast) and "Kongesangen" (The King's Anthem); within Denmark, the royal anthem is played only when royalty is present and is usually followed by the national anthem; when royalty is not present, only the national anthem is performed; outside Denmark, the royal anthem is played, unless the national anthem is requested

  • Dhekelia

    note: as a United Kingdom area of special sovereignty, "God Save the Queen" is official (see United Kingdom)

  • Djibouti

    name: "Jabuuti" (Djibouti)

    lyrics/music: Aden ELMI/Abdi ROBLEH

    note: adopted 1977

  • Dominica

    name: Isle of Beauty

    lyrics/music: Wilfred Oscar Morgan POND/Lemuel McPherson CHRISTIAN

    note: adopted 1967

  • Dominican Republic

    name: "Himno Nacional" (National Anthem)

    lyrics/music: Emilio PRUD'HOMME/Jose REYES

    note: adopted 1934; also known as "Quisqueyanos valientes" (Valient Sons of Quisqueye); the anthem never refers to the people as Dominican but rather calls them "Quisqueyanos," a reference to the indigenous name of the island

  • Ecuador

    name: "Salve, Oh Patria!" (We Salute You, Our Homeland)

    lyrics/music: Juan Leon MERA/Antonio NEUMANE

    note: adopted 1948; Juan Leon MERA wrote the lyrics in 1865; only the chorus and second verse are sung

  • Egypt

    name: "Bilady, Bilady, Bilady" (My Homeland, My Homeland, My Homeland)

    lyrics/music: Younis-al QADI/Sayed DARWISH

    note: adopted 1979; the current anthem, less militaristic than the previous one, was created after the signing of the 1979 peace treaty with Israel; Sayed DARWISH, commonly considered the father of modern Egyptian music, composed the anthem

  • El Salvador

    name: "Himno Nacional de El Salvador" (National Anthem of El Salvador)

    lyrics/music: Juan Jose CANAS/Juan ABERLE

    note: officially adopted 1953, in use since 1879; at 4:20 minutes, the anthem of El Salvador is one of the world's longest

  • Equatorial Guinea

    name: "Caminemos pisando la senda" (Let Us Tread the Path)

    lyrics/music: Atanasio Ndongo MIYONO/Atanasio Ndongo MIYONO or Ramiro Sanchez LOPEZ (disputed)

    note: adopted 1968

  • Eritrea

    name: "Ertra, Ertra, Ertra" (Eritrea, Eritrea, Eritrea)

    lyrics/music: SOLOMON Tsehaye Beraki/Isaac Abraham MEHAREZGI and ARON Tekle Tesfatsion

    note: adopted 1993; upon independence from Ethiopia

  • Estonia

    name: "Mu isamaa, mu onn ja room" (My Native Land, My Pride and Joy)

    lyrics/music: Johann Voldemar JANNSEN/Fredrik PACIUS

    note: adopted 1920, though banned between 1940 and 1990 under Soviet occupation; the anthem, used in Estonia since 1869, shares the same melody as Finland's but has different lyrics

  • Eswatini

    name: "Nkulunkulu Mnikati wetibusiso temaSwati" (Oh God, Bestower of the Blessings of the Swazi)

    lyrics/music: Andrease Enoke Fanyana SIMELANE/David Kenneth RYCROFT

    note: adopted 1968; uses elements of both ethnic Swazi and Western music styles

  • Ethiopia

    name: "Whedefit Gesgeshi Woud Enat Ethiopia" (March Forward, Dear Mother Ethiopia)

    lyrics/music: DEREJE Melaku Mengesha/SOLOMON Lulu

    note: adopted 1992

  • European Union

    name: Ode to Joy

    lyrics/music: no lyrics/Ludwig VAN BEETHOVEN, arranged by Herbert VON KARAJAN

    note: official EU anthem since 1985; the anthem is meant to represent all of Europe rather than just the organization, conveying ideas of peace, freedom, and unity

  • Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas)

    name: Song of the Falklands"

    lyrics/music: Christopher LANHAM

    note: adopted 1930s; the song is the local unofficial anthem; as a territory of the United Kingdom, "God Save the Queen" is official (see United Kingdom)

  • Faroe Islands

    name: "Mitt alfagra land" (My Fairest Land)

    lyrics/music: Simun av SKAROI/Peter ALBERG

    note: adopted 1948; the anthem is also known as "Tu alfagra land mitt" (Thou Fairest Land of Mine); as a self-governing overseas administrative division of Denmark, the Faroe Islands are permitted their own national anthem

  • Fiji

    name: God Bless Fiji

    lyrics/music: Michael Francis Alexander PRESCOTT/C. Austin MILES (adapted by Michael Francis Alexander PRESCOTT)

    note: adopted 1970; known in Fijian as "Meda Dau Doka" (Let Us Show Pride); adapted from the hymn, "Dwelling in Beulah Land," the anthem's English lyrics are generally sung, although they differ in meaning from the official Fijian lyrics

  • Finland

    name: "Maamme" (Our Land)

    lyrics/music: Johan Ludvig RUNEBERG/Fredrik PACIUS

    note: in use since 1848; although never officially adopted by law, the anthem has been popular since it was first sung by a student group in 1848; Estonia's anthem uses the same melody as that of Finland

  • France

    name: "La Marseillaise" (The Song of Marseille)

    lyrics/music: Claude-Joseph ROUGET de Lisle

    note: adopted 1795, restored 1870; originally known as "Chant de Guerre pour l'Armee du Rhin" (War Song for the Army of the Rhine), the National Guard of Marseille made the song famous by singing it while marching into Paris in 1792 during the French Revolutionary Wars

  • French Polynesia

    name: "Ia Ora 'O Tahiti Nui" (Long Live Tahiti Nui)

    lyrics/music: Maeva BOUGES, Irmine TEHEI, Angele TEROROTUA, Johanna NOUVEAU, Patrick AMARU, Louis MAMATUI, and Jean-Pierre CELESTIN (the compositional group created both the lyrics and music)

    note: adopted 1993; serves as a local anthem; as a territory of France, "La Marseillaise" is official (see France)

  • French Southern and Antarctic Lands

    note: as a territory of France, "La Marseillaise" is official (see France)

  • Gabon

    name: "La Concorde" (The Concorde)

    lyrics/music: Georges Aleka DAMAS

    note: adopted 1960

  • Gambia, The

    name: For The Gambia, Our Homeland

    lyrics/music: Virginia Julie HOWE/adapted by Jeremy Frederick HOWE

    note: adopted 1965; the music is an adaptation of the traditional Mandinka song "Foday Kaba Dumbuya"

  • Georgia

    name: "Tavisupleba" (Liberty)

    lyrics/music: Davit MAGRADSE/Zakaria PALIASHVILI (adapted by Joseb KETSCHAKMADSE)

    note: adopted 2004; after the Rose Revolution, a new anthem with music based on the operas "Abesalom da Eteri" and "Daisi" was adopted

  • Germany

    name: "Das Lied der Deutschen" (Song of the Germans)

    lyrics/music: August Heinrich HOFFMANN VON FALLERSLEBEN/Franz Joseph HAYDN

    note: adopted 1922; the anthem, also known as "Deutschlandlied" (Song of Germany), was originally adopted for its connection to the March 1848 liberal revolution; following appropriation by the Nazis of the first verse, specifically the phrase, "Deutschland, Deutschland ueber alles" (Germany, Germany above all) to promote nationalism, it was banned after 1945; in 1952, its third verse was adopted by West Germany as its national anthem; in 1990, it became the national anthem for the reunited Germany

  • Ghana

    name: God Bless Our Homeland Ghana

    lyrics/music: unknown/Philip GBEHO

    note: music adopted 1957, lyrics adopted 1966; the lyrics were changed twice, in 1960 when a republic was declared and after a 1966 coup

  • Gibraltar

    name: Gibraltar Anthem

    lyrics/music: Peter EMBERLEY

    note: adopted 1994; serves as a local anthem; as a territory of the United Kingdom, "God Save the Queen" is official (see United Kingdom)

  • Greece

    name: "Ymnos eis tin Eleftherian" (Hymn to Liberty)

    lyrics/music: Dionysios SOLOMOS/Nikolaos MANTZAROS

    note: adopted 1864; the anthem is based on a 158-stanza poem by the same name, which was inspired by the Greek Revolution of 1821 against the Ottomans (only the first two stanzas are used); Cyprus also uses "Hymn to Liberty" as its anthem

  • Greenland

    name: "Nunarput utoqqarsuanngoravit" ("Our Country, Who's Become So Old" also translated as "You Our Ancient Land")

    lyrics/music: Henrik LUND/Jonathan PETERSEN

    note: adopted 1916; the government also recognizes "Nuna asiilasooq" as a secondary anthem

  • Grenada

    name: Hail Grenada

    lyrics/music: Irva Merle BAPTISTE/Louis Arnold MASANTO

    note: adopted 1974

  • Guam

    name: "Fanohge Chamoru" (Stand Ye Guamanians)

    lyrics/music: Ramon Manalisay SABLAN [English], Lagrimas UNTALAN [Chamoru]/Ramon Manalisay SABLAN

    note: adopted 1919; the local anthem is also known as "Guam Hymn"; as a territory of the United States, "The Star-Spangled Banner," which generally follows the playing of "Stand Ye Guamanians," is official (see United States)

  • Guatemala

    name: "Himno Nacional de Guatemala" (National Anthem of Guatemala)

    lyrics/music: Jose Joaquin PALMA/Rafael Alvarez OVALLE

    note: adopted 1897, modified lyrics adopted 1934; Cuban poet Jose Joaquin PALMA anonymously submitted lyrics to a public contest calling for a national anthem; his authorship was not discovered until 1911

  • Guernsey

    name: "Sarnia Cherie" (Guernsey Dear)

    lyrics/music: George DEIGHTON/Domencio SANTANGELO

    note: adopted 1911; serves as a local anthem; as a British crown dependency, "God Save the Queen" is official (see United Kingdom)

  • Guinea

    name: "Liberte" (Liberty)

    lyrics/music: unknown/Fodeba KEITA

    note: adopted 1958

  • Guinea-Bissau

    name: "Esta e a Nossa Patria Bem Amada" (This Is Our Beloved Country)

    lyrics/music: Amilcar Lopes CABRAL/XIAO He

    note: adopted 1974; a delegation from then Portuguese Guinea visited China in 1963 and heard music by XIAO He; Amilcar Lopes CABRAL, the leader of Guinea-Bissau's independence movement, asked the composer to create a piece that would inspire his people to struggle for independence

  • Guyana

    name: Dear Land of Guyana, of Rivers and Plains

    lyrics/music: Archibald Leonard LUKERL/Robert Cyril Gladstone POTTER

    note: adopted 1966

  • Haiti

    name: "La Dessalinienne" (The Dessalines Song)

    lyrics/music: Justin LHERISSON/Nicolas GEFFRARD

    note: adopted 1904; named for Jean-Jacques DESSALINES, a leader in the Haitian Revolution and first ruler of an independent Haiti

  • Holy See (Vatican City)

    name: "Inno e Marcia Pontificale" (Hymn and Pontifical March); often called The Pontifical Hymn

    lyrics/music: Raffaello LAVAGNA/Charles-Francois GOUNOD

    note: adopted 1950

  • Honduras

    name: "Himno Nacional de Honduras" (National Anthem of Honduras)

    lyrics/music: Augusto Constancio COELLO/Carlos HARTLING

    note: adopted 1915; the anthem's seven verses chronicle Honduran history; on official occasions, only the chorus and last verse are sung

  • Hong Kong

    note: as a Special Administrative Region of China, "Yiyongjun Jinxingqu" is the official anthem (see China)

  • Hungary

    name: "Himnusz" (Hymn)

    lyrics/music: Ferenc KOLCSEY/Ferenc ERKEL

    note: adopted 1844

  • Iceland

    name: "Lofsongur" (Song of Praise)

    lyrics/music: Matthias JOCHUMSSON/Sveinbjorn SVEINBJORNSSON

    note: adopted 1944; also known as "O, Gud vors lands" (O, God of Our Land), the anthem was originally written and performed in 1874

  • India

    name: "Jana-Gana-Mana" (Thou Art the Ruler of the Minds of All People)

    lyrics/music: Rabindranath TAGORE

    note: adopted 1950; Rabindranath TAGORE, a Nobel laureate, also wrote Bangladesh's national anthem

  • Indonesia

    name: "Indonesia Raya" (Great Indonesia)

    lyrics/music: Wage Rudolf SOEPRATMAN

    note: adopted 1945

  • Iran

    name: "Soroud-e Melli-ye Jomhouri-ye Eslami-ye Iran" (National Anthem of the Islamic Republic of Iran)

    lyrics/music: multiple authors/Hassan RIAHI

    note 1: adopted 1990; Iran has had six national anthems; the first, entitled Salam-e Shah (Royal Salute) was in use from 1873-1909; next came Salamati-ye Dowlat-e Elliye-ye Iran (Salute of the Sublime State of Persia, 1909-1933); it was followed by Sorud-e melli (The Imperial Anthem of Iran; 1933-1979), which chronicled the exploits of the Pahlavi Dynasty; Ey Iran (Oh Iran) functioned unofficially as the national anthem for a brief period between the ouster of the Shah in 1979 and the early days of the Islamic Republic in 1980; Payandeh Bada Iran (Long Live Iran) was used between 1980 and 1990 during the time of Ayatollah KHOMEINI

    note 2: a recording of the current Iranian national anthem is unavailable since the US Navy Band does not record anthems for countries from which the US does not anticipate official visits; the US does not have diplomatic relations with Iran

  • Iraq

    name: "Mawtini" (My Homeland)

    lyrics/music: Ibrahim TOUQAN/Mohammad FLAYFEL

    note: adopted 2004; following the ouster of SADDAM Husayn, Iraq adopted "Mawtini," a popular folk song throughout the Arab world; also serves as an unofficial anthem of the Palestinian people

  • Ireland

    name: "Amhran na bhFiann" (The Soldier's Song)

    lyrics/music: Peadar KEARNEY [English], Liam O RINN [Irish]/Patrick HEENEY and Peadar KEARNEY

    note: adopted 1926; instead of "Amhran na bhFiann," the song "Ireland's Call" is often used at athletic events where citizens of Ireland and Northern Ireland compete as a unified team

  • Isle of Man

    name: "Arrane Ashoonagh dy Vannin" (O Land of Our Birth)

    lyrics/music: William Henry GILL [English], John J. KNEEN [Manx]/traditional

    note: adopted 2003, in use since 1907; serves as a local anthem; as a British Crown dependency, "God Save the Queen" is official (see United Kingdom) and is played when the sovereign, members of the royal family, or the lieutenant governor are present

  • Israel

    name: "Hatikvah" (The Hope)

    lyrics/music: Naftali Herz IMBER/traditional, arranged by Samuel COHEN

    note: adopted 2004, unofficial since 1948; used as the anthem of the Zionist movement since 1897; the 1888 arrangement by Samuel COHEN is thought to be based on the Romanian folk song "Carul cu boi" (The Ox Driven Cart)

  • Italy

    name: "Il Canto degli Italiani" (The Song of the Italians)

    lyrics/music: Goffredo MAMELI/Michele NOVARO

    note: adopted 1946; the anthem, originally written in 1847, is also known as "L'Inno di Mameli" (Mameli's Hymn), and "Fratelli D'Italia" (Brothers of Italy)

  • Jamaica

    name: Jamaica, Land We Love

    lyrics/music: Hugh Braham SHERLOCK/Robert Charles LIGHTBOURNE

    note: adopted 1962

  • Japan

    name: "Kimigayo" (The Emperor's Reign)

    lyrics/music: unknown/Hiromori HAYASHI

    note: adopted 1999; unofficial national anthem since 1883; oldest anthem lyrics in the world, dating to the 10th century or earlier; there is some opposition to the anthem because of its association with militarism and worship of the emperor

  • Jersey

    name: "Isle de Siez Nous" (Island Home)

    lyrics/music: Gerard LE FEUVRE

    note: adopted 2008; serves as a local anthem; as a British Crown dependency, "God Save the Queen" is official (see United Kingdom)

  • Jordan

    name: "As-salam al-malaki al-urdoni" (Long Live the King of Jordan)

    lyrics/music: Abdul-Mone'm al-RIFAI'/Abdul-Qader al-TANEER

    note: adopted 1946; the shortened version of the anthem is used most commonly, while the full version is reserved for special occasions

  • Kazakhstan

    name: "Menin Qazaqstanim" (My Kazakhstan)

    lyrics/music: Zhumeken NAZHIMEDENOV and Nursultan NAZARBAYEV/Shamshi KALDAYAKOV

    note: adopted 2006; President Nursultan NAZARBAYEV played a role in revising the lyrics

  • Kenya

    name: "Ee Mungu Nguvu Yetu" (Oh God of All Creation)

    lyrics/music: Graham HYSLOP, Thomas KALUME, Peter KIBUKOSYA, Washington OMONDI, and George W. SENOGA-ZAKE/traditional, adapted by Graham HYSLOP, Thomas KALUME, Peter KIBUKOSYA, Washington OMONDI, and George W. SENOGA-ZAKE

    note: adopted 1963; based on a traditional Kenyan folk song

  • Kiribati

    name: "Teirake kaini Kiribati" (Stand Up, Kiribati)

    lyrics/music: Urium Tamuera IOTEBA

    note: adopted 1979

  • Korea, North

    name: "Aegukka" (Patriotic Song)

    lyrics/music: PAK Se Yong/KIM Won Gyun

    note: adopted 1947; both North Korea's and South Korea's anthems share the same name and have a vaguely similar melody but have different lyrics; the North Korean anthem is also known as "Ach'imun pinnara" (Let Morning Shine)

  • Korea, South

    name: "Aegukga" (Patriotic Song)

    lyrics/music: YUN Ch'i-Ho or AN Ch'ang-Ho/AHN Eaktay

    note: adopted 1948, well-known by 1910; both North Korea's and South Korea's anthems share the same name and have a vaguely similar melody but have different lyrics

  • Kosovo

    name: Europe

    lyrics/music: no lyrics/Mendi MENGJIQI

    note: adopted 2008; Kosovo chose to exclude lyrics in its anthem so as not to offend the country's minority ethnic groups

  • Kuwait

    name: "Al-Nasheed Al-Watani" (National Anthem)

    lyrics/music: Ahmad MUSHARI al-Adwani/Ibrahim Nasir al-SOULA

    note: adopted 1978; the anthem is only used on formal occasions

  • Kyrgyzstan

    name: "Kyrgyz Respublikasynyn Mamlekettik Gimni" (National Anthem of the Kyrgyz Republic)

    lyrics/music: Djamil SADYKOV and Eshmambet KULUEV/Nasyr DAVLESOV and Kalyi MOLDOBASANOV

    note: adopted 1992

  • Laos

    name: "Pheng Xat Lao" (Hymn of the Lao People)

    lyrics/music: SISANA Sisane/THONGDY Sounthonevichit

    note: music adopted 1945, lyrics adopted 1975; the anthem's lyrics were changed following the 1975 Communist revolution that overthrew the monarchy

  • Latvia

    name: "Dievs, sveti Latviju!" (God Bless Latvia)

    lyrics/music: Karlis BAUMANIS

    note: adopted 1920, restored 1990; first performed in 1873 while Latvia was a part of Russia; banned during the Soviet occupation from 1940 to 1990

  • Lebanon

    name: "Kulluna lil-watan" (All Of Us, For Our Country!)

    lyrics/music: Rachid NAKHLE/Wadih SABRA

    note: adopted 1927; chosen following a nationwide competition

  • Lesotho

    name: "Lesotho fatse la bo ntat'a rona" (Lesotho, Land of Our Fathers)

    lyrics/music: Francois COILLARD/Ferdinand-Samuel LAUR

    note: adopted 1967; music derives from an 1823 Swiss songbook

  • Liberia

    name: All Hail, Liberia Hail!

    lyrics/music: Daniel Bashiel WARNER/Olmstead LUCA

    note: lyrics adopted 1847, music adopted 1860; the anthem's author later became the third president of Liberia

  • Libya

    name: Libya, Libya, Libya

    lyrics/music: Al Bashir AL AREBI/Mohamad Abdel WAHAB

    note: also known as "Ya Beladi" or "Oh, My Country!"; adopted 1951; readopted 2011 with some modification to the lyrics; during the QADHAFI years between 1969 and 2011, the anthem was "Allahu Akbar," (God is Great) a marching song of the Egyptian Army in the 1956 Suez War

  • Liechtenstein

    name: "Oben am jungen Rhein" (High Above the Young Rhine)

    lyrics/music: Jakob Joseph JAUCH/Josef FROMMELT

    note: adopted 1850, revised 1963; uses the tune of "God Save the Queen"

  • Lithuania

    name: "Tautiska giesme" (The National Song)

    lyrics/music: Vincas KUDIRKA

    note: adopted 1918, restored 1990; written in 1898 while Lithuania was a part of Russia; banned during the Soviet occupation from 1940 to 1990

  • Luxembourg

    name: "Ons Heemecht" (Our Motherland); "De Wilhelmus" (The William)

    lyrics/music: Michel LENTZ/Jean-Antoine ZINNEN; Nikolaus WELTER/unknown

    note: "Ons Heemecht," adopted 1864, is the national anthem, while "De Wilhelmus," adopted 1919, serves as a royal anthem for use when members of the grand ducal family enter or exit a ceremony in Luxembourg

  • Macau

    note: as a Special Administrative Region of China, "Yiyongjun Jinxingqu" is the official anthem (see China)

  • Madagascar

    name: "Ry Tanindraza nay malala o" (Oh, Our Beloved Fatherland)

    lyrics/music: Pasteur RAHAJASON/Norbert RAHARISOA

    note: adopted 1959

  • Malawi

    name: "Mulungu dalitsa Malawi" (Oh God Bless Our Land of Malawi)

    lyrics/music: Michael-Fredrick Paul SAUKA

    note: adopted 1964

  • Malaysia

    name: "Negaraku" (My Country)

    lyrics/music: collective, led by Tunku ABDUL RAHMAN/Pierre Jean DE BERANGER

    note: adopted 1957; full version only performed in the presence of the king; the tune, which was adopted from a popular French melody titled "La Rosalie," was originally the anthem of Perak, one of Malaysia's 13 states

  • Maldives

    name: "Gaumee Salaam" (National Salute)

    lyrics/music: Mohamed Jameel DIDI/Wannakuwattawaduge DON AMARADEVA

    note: lyrics adopted 1948, music adopted 1972; between 1948 and 1972, the lyrics were sung to the tune of "Auld Lang Syne"

  • Mali

    name: "Le Mali" (Mali)

    lyrics/music: Seydou Badian KOUYATE/Banzoumana SISSOKO

    note: adopted 1962; also known as "Pour L'Afrique et pour toi, Mali" (For Africa and for You, Mali) and "A ton appel Mali" (At Your Call, Mali)

  • Malta

    name: "L-Innu Malti" (The Maltese Anthem)

    lyrics/music: Dun Karm PSAILA/Robert SAMMUT

    note: adopted 1945; written in the form of a prayer

  • Marshall Islands

    name: Forever Marshall Islands

    lyrics/music: Amata KABUA

    note: adopted 1981

  • Mauritania

    name: "Hymne National de la Republique Islamique de Mauritanie" (National Anthem of the Islamic Republic of Mauritania)

    lyrics/music: Baba Ould CHEIKH/traditional, arranged by Tolia NIKIPROWETZKY

    note: adopted 1960; the unique rhythm of the Mauritanian anthem makes it particularly challenging to sing; Mauritania in November 2017 adopted a new national anthem, "Bilada-l ubati-l hudati-l kiram" (The Country of Fatherhood is the Honorable Gift) composed by Rageh Daoud (sound file of the new anthem is forthcoming)

  • Mauritius

    name: Motherland

    lyrics/music: Jean Georges PROSPER/Philippe GENTIL

    note: adopted 1968

  • Mexico

    name: "Himno Nacional Mexicano" (National Anthem of Mexico)

    lyrics/music: Francisco Gonzalez BOCANEGRA/Jaime Nuno ROCA

    note: adopted 1943, in use since 1854; also known as "Mexicanos, al grito de Guerra" (Mexicans, to the War Cry); according to tradition, Francisco Gonzalez BOCANEGRA, an accomplished poet, was uninterested in submitting lyrics to a national anthem contest; his fiancee locked him in a room and refused to release him until the lyrics were completed

  • Micronesia, Federated States of

    name: Patriots of Micronesia

    lyrics/music: unknown

    note: adopted 1991; also known as "Across All Micronesia"; the music is based on the 1820 German patriotic song "Ich hab mich ergeben", which was the West German national anthem from 1949-1950; variants of this tune are used in Johannes Brahms' "Festival Overture" and Gustav Mahler's "Third Symphony"

  • Moldova

    name: "Limba noastra" (Our Language)

    lyrics/music: Alexei MATEEVICI/Alexandru CRISTEA

    note: adopted 1994

  • Monaco

    name: "A Marcia de Muneghu" (The March of Monaco)

    lyrics/music: Louis NOTARI/Charles ALBRECHT

    note: music adopted 1867, lyrics adopted 1931; although French is commonly spoken, only the Monegasque lyrics are official; the French version is known as "Hymne Monegasque" (Monegasque Anthem); the words are generally only sung on official occasions

  • Mongolia

    name: "Mongol ulsyn toriin duulal" (National Anthem of Mongolia)

    lyrics/music: Tsendiin DAMDINSUREN/Bilegiin DAMDINSUREN and Luvsanjamts MURJORJ

    note: music adopted 1950, lyrics adopted 2006; lyrics altered on numerous occasions

  • Montenegro

    name: "Oj, svijetla majska zoro" (Oh, Bright Dawn of May)

    lyrics/music: Sekula DRLJEVIC/unknown, arranged by Zarko MIKOVIC

    note: adopted 2004; music based on a Montenegrin folk song

  • Montserrat

    note: as a territory of the UK, "God Save the Queen" is official (see United Kingdom)

  • Morocco

    name: "Hymne Cherifien" (Hymn of the Sharif)

    lyrics/music: Ali Squalli HOUSSAINI/Leo MORGAN

    note: music adopted 1956, lyrics adopted 1970

  • Mozambique

    name: "Patria Amada" (Lovely Fatherland)

    lyrics/music: Salomao J. MANHICA/unknown

    note: adopted 2002

  • Namibia

    name: Namibia, Land of the Brave

    lyrics/music: Axali DOESEB

    note: adopted 1991

  • Nauru

    name: "Nauru Bwiema" (Song of Nauru)

    lyrics/music: Margaret HENDRIE/Laurence Henry HICKS

    note: adopted 1968

  • Nepal

    name: "Sayaun Thunga Phool Ka" (Hundreds of Flowers)

    lyrics/music: Pradeep Kumar RAI/Ambar GURUNG

    note: adopted 2007; after the abolition of the monarchy in 2006, a new anthem was required because of the previous anthem's praise for the king

  • Netherlands

    name: "Het Wilhelmus" (The William)

    lyrics/music: Philips VAN MARNIX van Sint Aldegonde (presumed)/unknown

    note: adopted 1932, in use since the 17th century, making it the oldest national anthem in the world; also known as "Wilhelmus van Nassouwe" (William of Nassau), it is in the form of an acrostic, where the first letter of each stanza spells the name of the leader of the Dutch Revolt

  • New Caledonia

    name: "Soyons unis, devenons freres" (Let Us Be United, Let Us Become Brothers)

    lyrics/music: Chorale Melodia (a local choir)

    note: adopted 2008; contains a mixture of lyrics in both French and Nengone (an indigenous language); as a self-governing territory of France, in addition to the local anthem, "La Marseillaise" is official (see France)

  • New Zealand

    name: God Defend New Zealand

    lyrics/music: Thomas BRACKEN [English], Thomas Henry SMITH [Maori]/John Joseph WOODS

    note: adopted 1940 as national song, adopted 1977 as co-national anthem; New Zealand has two national anthems with equal status; as a commonwealth realm, in addition to "God Defend New Zealand," "God Save the Queen" serves as a national anthem (see United Kingdom); "God Save the Queen" normally played only when a member of the royal family or the governor-general is present; in all other cases, "God Defend New Zealand" is played

  • Nicaragua

    name: "Salve a ti, Nicaragua" (Hail to Thee, Nicaragua)

    lyrics/music: Salomon Ibarra MAYORGA/traditional, arranged by Luis Abraham DELGADILLO

    note: although only officially adopted in 1971, the music was approved in 1918 and the lyrics in 1939; the tune, originally from Spain, was used as an anthem for Nicaragua from the 1830s until 1876

  • Niger

    name: "La Nigerienne" (The Nigerien)

    lyrics/music: Maurice Albert THIRIET/Robert JACQUET and Nicolas Abel Francois FRIONNET

    note: adopted 1961

  • Nigeria

    name: Arise Oh Compatriots, Nigeria's Call Obey

    lyrics/music: John A. ILECHUKWU, Eme Etim AKPAN, B.A. OGUNNAIKE, Sotu OMOIGUI and P.O. ADERIBIGBE/Benedict Elide ODIASE

    note: adopted 1978; lyrics are a mixture of the five top entries in a national contest

  • Niue

    name: "Ko e Iki he Lagi" (The Lord in Heaven)

    lyrics/music: unknown/unknown, prepared by Sioeli FUSIKATA

    note: adopted 1974

  • Norfolk Island

    name: Come Ye Blessed

    lyrics/music: New Testament/John Prindle SCOTT

    note: the local anthem, whose lyrics consist of the words from Matthew 25:34-36, 40, is also known as "The Pitcairn Anthem;" the island does not recognize "Advance Australia Fair" (which other Australian territories use); instead "God Save the Queen" is official (see United Kingdom)

  • North Macedonia

    name: "Denes nad Makedonija" (Today Over Macedonia)

    lyrics/music: Vlado MALESKI/Todor SKALOVSKI

    note: written in 1943 and adopted in 1991, the song previously served as the anthem of the Socialist Republic of Macedonia while part of Yugoslavia

  • Northern Mariana Islands

    name: "Gi Talo Gi Halom Tasi" (In the Middle of the Sea)

    lyrics/music: Jose S. PANGELINAN [Chamoru], David PETER [Carolinian]/Wilhelm GANZHORN

    note: adopted 1996; the Carolinian version of the song is known as "Satil Matawal Pacifico;" as a commonwealth of the US, in addition to the local anthem, "The Star-Spangled Banner" is official (see United States)

  • Norway

    name: "Ja, vi elsker dette landet" (Yes, We Love This Country)

    lyrics/music: lyrics/music: Bjornstjerne BJORNSON/Rikard NORDRAAK

    note: adopted 1864; in addition to the national anthem, "Kongesangen" (Song of the King), which uses the tune of "God Save the Queen," serves as the royal anthem

  • Oman

    name: "Nashid as-Salaam as-Sultani" (The Sultan's Anthem)

    lyrics/music: Rashid bin Uzayyiz al KHUSAIDI/James Frederick MILLS, arranged by Bernard EBBINGHAUS

    note: adopted 1932; new lyrics written after QABOOS bin Said al Said gained power in 1970; first performed by the band of a British ship as a salute to the Sultan during a 1932 visit to Muscat; the bandmaster of the HMS Hawkins was asked to write a salutation to the Sultan on the occasion of his ship visit

  • Pakistan

    name: "Qaumi Tarana" (National Anthem)

    lyrics/music: Abu-Al-Asar Hafeez JULLANDHURI/Ahmed Ghulamali CHAGLA

    note: adopted 1954; also known as "Pak sarzamin shad bad" (Blessed Be the Sacred Land)

  • Palau

    name: "Belau rekid" (Our Palau)

    lyrics/music: multiple/Ymesei O. EZEKIEL

    note: adopted 1980

  • Panama

    name: "Himno Istmeno" (Isthmus Hymn)

    lyrics/music: Jeronimo DE LA OSSA/Santos A. JORGE

    note: adopted 1925

  • Papua New Guinea

    name: O Arise All You Sons

    lyrics/music: Thomas SHACKLADY

    note: adopted 1975

  • Paraguay

    name: "Paraguayos, Republica o muerte!" (Paraguayans, The Republic or Death!)

    lyrics/music: Francisco Esteban ACUNA de Figueroa/disputed

    note: adopted 1934, in use since 1846; officially adopted following its re-arrangement in 1934

  • Peru

    name: "Himno Nacional del Peru" (National Anthem of Peru)

    lyrics/music: Jose DE LA TORRE Ugarte/Jose Bernardo ALZEDO

    note: adopted 1822; the song won a national anthem contest

  • Philippines

    name: "Lupang Hinirang" (Chosen Land)

    lyrics/music: Jose PALMA (revised by Felipe PADILLA de Leon)/Julian FELIPE

    note: music adopted 1898, original Spanish lyrics adopted 1899, Filipino (Tagalog) lyrics adopted 1956; although the original lyrics were written in Spanish, later English and Filipino versions were created; today, only the Filipino version is used

  • Pitcairn Islands

    name: We From Pitcairn Island

    lyrics/music: unknown/Frederick M. LEHMAN

    note: serves as a local anthem; as a territory of the UK, "God Save the Queen" is official (see United Kingdom)

  • Poland

    name: "Mazurek Dabrowskiego" (Dabrowski's Mazurka)

    lyrics/music: Jozef WYBICKI/traditional

    note: adopted 1927; the anthem, commonly known as "Jeszcze Polska nie zginela" (Poland Has Not Yet Perished), was written in 1797; the lyrics resonate strongly with Poles because they reflect the numerous occasions in which the nation's lands have been occupied

  • Portugal

    name: "A Portugesa" (The Song of the Portuguese)

    lyrics/music: Henrique LOPES DE MENDOCA/Alfredo KEIL

    note: adopted 1910; "A Portuguesa" was originally written to protest the Portuguese monarchy's acquiescence to the 1890 British ultimatum forcing Portugal to give up areas of Africa; the lyrics refer to the "insult" that resulted from the event

  • Puerto Rico

    name: "La Borinquena" (The Puerto Rican)

    lyrics/music: Manuel Fernandez JUNCOS/Felix Astol ARTES

    note: music adopted 1952, lyrics adopted 1977; the local anthem's name is a reference to the indigenous name of the island, Borinquen; the music was originally composed as a dance in 1867 and gained popularity in the early 20th century; there is some evidence that the music was written by Francisco RAMIREZ; as a commonwealth of the US, "The Star-Spangled Banner" is official (see United States)

  • Qatar

    name: "Al-Salam Al-Amiri" (The Amiri Salute)

    lyrics/music: Sheikh MUBARAK bin Saif al-Thani/Abdul Aziz Nasser OBAIDAN

    note: adopted 1996; anthem first performed that year at a meeting of the Gulf Cooperative Council hosted by Qatar

  • Romania

    name: "Desteapta-te romane!" (Wake up, Romanian!)

    lyrics/music: Andrei MURESIANU/Anton PANN

    note: adopted 1990; the anthem was written during the 1848 Revolution

  • Russia

    name: "Gimn Rossiyskoy Federatsii" (National Anthem of the Russian Federation)

    lyrics/music: Sergey Vladimirovich MIKHALKOV/Aleksandr Vasilyevich ALEKSANDROV

    note: in 2000, Russia adopted the tune of the anthem of the former Soviet Union (composed in 1939); the lyrics, also adopted in 2000, were written by the same person who authored the Soviet lyrics in 1943

  • Rwanda

    name: "Rwanda nziza" (Rwanda, Our Beautiful Country)

    lyrics/music: Faustin MURIGO/Jean-Bosco HASHAKAIMANA

    note: adopted 2001

  • Saint Barthelemy

    name: "L'Hymne a St. Barthelemy" (Hymn to St. Barthelemy)

    lyrics/music: Isabelle Massart DERAVIN/Michael VALENTI

    note: local anthem in use since 1999; as a collectivity of France, "La Marseillaise" is official (see France)

  • Saint Helena, Ascension, and Tristan da Cunha

    note: as a territory of the UK, "God Save the Queen" is official (see United Kingdom)

  • Saint Kitts and Nevis

    name: Oh Land of Beauty!

    lyrics/music: Kenrick Anderson GEORGES

    note: adopted 1983

  • Saint Lucia

    name: Sons and Daughters of St. Lucia

    lyrics/music: Charles JESSE/Leton Felix THOMAS

    note: adopted 1967

  • Saint Martin

    name: O Sweet Saint Martin's Land

    lyrics/music: Gerard KEMPS

    note: the song, written in 1958, is used as an unofficial anthem for the entire island (both French and Dutch sides); as a collectivity of France, in addition to the local anthem, "La Marseillaise" remains official on the French side (see France); as a constituent part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, in addition to the local anthem, "Het Wilhelmus" remains official on the Dutch side (see Netherlands)

  • Saint Pierre and Miquelon

    note: as a collectivity of France, "La Marseillaise" is official (see France)

  • Saint Vincent and the Grenadines

    name: St. Vincent! Land So Beautiful!

    lyrics/music: Phyllis Joyce MCCLEAN PUNNETT/Joel Bertram MIGUEL

    note: adopted 1967

  • Samoa

    name: "O le Fu'a o le Sa'olotoga o Samoa" (The Banner of Freedom)

    lyrics/music: Sauni Liga KURESA

    note: adopted 1962; also known as "Samoa Tula'i" (Samoa Arise)

  • San Marino

    name: "Inno Nazionale della Repubblica" (National Anthem of the Republic)

    lyrics/music: no lyrics/Federico CONSOLO

    note: adopted 1894; the music for the lyric-less anthem is based on a 10th century chorale piece

  • Sao Tome and Principe

    name: "Independencia total" (Total Independence)

    lyrics/music: Alda Neves DA GRACA do Espirito Santo/Manuel dos Santos Barreto de Sousa e ALMEIDA

    note: adopted 1975

  • Saudi Arabia

    name: "Aash Al Maleek" (Long Live Our Beloved King)

    lyrics/music: Ibrahim KHAFAJI/Abdul Rahman al-KHATEEB

    note: music adopted 1947, lyrics adopted 1984

  • Senegal

    name: "Pincez Tous vos Koras, Frappez les Balafons" (Pluck Your Koras, Strike the Balafons)

    lyrics/music: Leopold Sedar SENGHOR/Herbert PEPPER

    note: adopted 1960; lyrics written by Leopold Sedar SENGHOR, Senegal's first president; the anthem sometimes played incorporating the Koras (harp-like stringed instruments) and Balafons (types of xylophones) mentioned in the title

  • Serbia

    name: "Boze pravde" (God of Justice)

    lyrics/music: Jovan DORDEVIC/Davorin JENKO

    note: adopted 1904; song originally written as part of a play in 1872 and has been used as an anthem by the Serbian people throughout the 20th and 21st centuries

  • Seychelles

    name: "Koste Seselwa" (Seychellois Unite)

    lyrics/music: David Francois Marc ANDRE and George Charles Robert PAYET

    note: adopted 1996

  • Sierra Leone

    name: High We Exalt Thee, Realm of the Free

    lyrics/music: Clifford Nelson FYLE/John Joseph AKA

    note: adopted 1961

  • Singapore

    name: "Majulah Singapura" (Onward Singapore)

    lyrics/music: ZUBIR Said

    note: adopted 1965; first performed in 1958 at the Victoria Theatre, the anthem is sung only in Malay

  • Sint Maarten

    name: O Sweet Saint Martin's Land

    lyrics/music: Gerard KEMPS

    note: the song, written in 1958, is used as an unofficial anthem for the entire island (both French and Dutch sides); as a collectivity of France, in addition to the local anthem, "La Marseillaise" is official on the French side (see France); as a constituent part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, in addition to the local anthem, "Het Wilhelmus" is official on the Dutch side (see Netherlands)

  • Slovakia

    name: "Nad Tatrou sa blyska" (Lightning Over the Tatras)

    lyrics/music: Janko MATUSKA/traditional

    note: adopted 1993, in use since 1844; music based on the Slovak folk song "Kopala studienku"

  • Slovenia

    name: "Zdravljica" (A Toast)

    lyrics/music: France PRESEREN/Stanko PREMRL

    note: adopted in 1989 while still part of Yugoslavia; originally written in 1848; the full poem, whose seventh verse is used as the anthem, speaks of pan-Slavic nationalism

  • Solomon Islands

    name: God Save Our Solomon Islands

    lyrics/music: Panapasa BALEKANA and Matila BALEKANA/Panapasa BALEKANA

    note: adopted 1978

  • Somalia

    name: "Qolobaa Calankeed" (Every Nation Has its own Flag)

    lyrics/music: lyrics/music: Abdullahi QARSHE

    note: adopted 2012; written in 1959

  • South Africa

    name: National Anthem of South Africa

    lyrics/music: Enoch SONTONGA and Cornelius Jacob LANGENHOVEN/Enoch SONTONGA and Marthinus LOURENS de Villiers

    note: adopted 1994; a combination of "N'kosi Sikelel' iAfrica" (God Bless Africa) and "Die Stem van Suid Afrika" (The Call of South Africa), which were respectively the anthems of the non-white and white communities under apartheid; official lyrics contain a mixture of Xhosa, Zulu, Sesotho, Afrikaans, and English (i.e., the five most widely spoken of South Africa's 11 official languages); music incorporates the melody used in the Tanzanian and Zambian anthems

  • South Sudan

    name: South Sudan Oyee! (Hooray!)

    lyrics/music: collective of 49 poets/Juba University students and teachers

    note: adopted 2011; anthem selected in a national contest

  • Spain

    name: "Himno Nacional Espanol" (National Anthem of Spain)

    lyrics/music: no lyrics/unknown

    note: officially in use between 1770 and 1931, restored in 1939; the Spanish anthem is the first anthem to be officially adopted, but it has no lyrics; in the years prior to 1931 it became known as "Marcha Real" (The Royal March); it first appeared in a 1761 military bugle call book and was replaced by "Himno de Riego" in the years between 1931 and 1939; the long version of the anthem is used for the king, while the short version is used for the prince, prime minister, and occasions such as sporting events

  • Sri Lanka

    name: "Sri Lanka Matha" (Mother Sri Lanka)

    lyrics/music: Ananda SAMARKONE

    note: adopted 1951

  • Sudan

    name: "Nahnu Djundulla Djundulwatan" (We Are the Army of God and of Our Land)

    lyrics/music: Sayed Ahmad Muhammad SALIH/Ahmad MURJAN

    note: adopted 1956; originally served as the anthem of the Sudanese military

  • Suriname

    name: "God zij met ons Suriname!" (God Be With Our Suriname)

    lyrics/music: Cornelis Atses HOEKSTRA and Henry DE ZIEL/Johannes Corstianus DE PUY

    note: adopted 1959; originally adapted from a Sunday school song written in 1893 and contains lyrics in both Dutch and Sranang Tongo

  • Svalbard

    note: as a territory of Norway, "Ja, vi elsker dette landet" is official (see Norway)

  • Sweden

    name: "Du Gamla, Du Fria" (Thou Ancient, Thou Free)

    lyrics/music: Richard DYBECK/traditional

    note: in use since 1844; also known as "Sang till Norden" (Song of the North), is based on a Swedish folk tune; it has never been officially adopted by the government; "Kungssangen" (The King's Song) serves as the royal anthem and is played in the presence of the royal family and during certain state ceremonies

  • Switzerland

    lyrics/music: Leonhard WIDMER [German], Charles CHATELANAT [French], Camillo VALSANGIACOMO [Italian], and Flurin CAMATHIAS [Romansch]/Alberik ZWYSSIG

    the Swiss anthem has four names: "Schweizerpsalm" [German] "Cantique Suisse" [French] "Salmo svizzero," [Italian] "Psalm svizzer" [Romansch] (Swiss Psalm) note: unofficially adopted 1961, officially 1981; the anthem has been popular in a number of Swiss cantons since its composition (in German) in 1841; translated into the other three official languages of the country (French, Italian, and Romansch), it is official in each of those languages

  • Syria

    name: "Humat ad-Diyar" (Guardians of the Homeland)

    lyrics/music: Khalil Mardam BEY/Mohammad Salim FLAYFEL and Ahmad Salim FLAYFEL

    note: adopted 1936, restored 1961; between 1958 and 1961, while Syria was a member of the United Arab Republic with Egypt, the country had a different anthem

  • Taiwan

    name: "Zhonghua Minguo guoge" (National Anthem of the Republic of China)

    lyrics/music: HU Han-min, TAI Chi-t'ao, and LIAO Chung-k'ai/CHENG Mao-Yun

    note: adopted 1930; also the song of the Kuomintang Party; it is informally known as "San Min Chu I" or "San Min Zhu Yi" (Three Principles of the People); because of political pressure from China, "Guo Qi Ge" (National Banner Song) is used at international events rather than the official anthem of Taiwan; the "National Banner Song" has gained popularity in Taiwan and is commonly used during flag raisings

  • Tajikistan

    name: "Surudi milli" (National Anthem)

    lyrics/music: Gulnazar KELDI/Sulaimon YUDAKOV

    note: adopted 1991; after the fall of the Soviet Union, Tajikistan kept the music of the anthem from its time as a Soviet republic but adopted new lyrics

  • Tanzania

    name: "Mungu ibariki Afrika" (God Bless Africa)

    lyrics/music: collective/Enoch Mankayi SONTONGA

    note: adopted 1961; the anthem, which is also a popular song in Africa, shares the same melody with that of Zambia but has different lyrics; the melody is also incorporated into South Africa's anthem

  • Thailand

    name: "Phleng Chat Thai" (National Anthem of Thailand)

    lyrics/music: Luang SARANUPRAPAN/Phra JENDURIYANG

    note: music adopted 1932, lyrics adopted 1939; by law, people are required to stand for the national anthem at 0800 and 1800 every day; the anthem is played in schools, offices, theaters, and on television and radio during this time; "Phleng Sanlasoen Phra Barami" (A Salute to the Monarch) serves as the royal anthem and is played in the presence of the royal family and during certain state ceremonies

  • Timor-Leste

    name: "Patria" (Fatherland)

    lyrics/music: Fransisco Borja DA COSTA/Afonso DE ARAUJO

    note: adopted 2002; the song was first used as an anthem when Timor-Leste declared its independence from Portugal in 1975; the lyricist, Francisco Borja DA COSTA, was killed in the Indonesian invasion just days after independence was declared

  • Togo

    name: "Salut a toi, pays de nos aieux" (Hail to Thee, Land of Our Forefathers)

    lyrics/music: Alex CASIMIR-DOSSEH

    note: adopted 1960, restored 1992; this anthem was replaced by another during one-party rule between 1979 and 1992

  • Tokelau

    name: "Te Atua" (For the Almighty)

    lyrics/music: unknown/Falani KALOLO

    note: adopted 2008; in preparation for eventual self governance, Tokelau held a national contest to choose an anthem; as a territory of New Zealand, "God Defend New Zealand" and "God Save the Queen" are official (see New Zealand)

  • Tonga

    name: "Ko e fasi `o e tu"i `o e `Otu Tonga" (Song of the King of the Tonga Islands)

    lyrics/music: Uelingatoni Ngu TUPOUMALOHI/Karl Gustavus SCHMITT

    note: in use since 1875; more commonly known as "Fasi Fakafonua" (National Song)

  • Trinidad and Tobago

    name: Forged From the Love of Liberty

    lyrics/music: Patrick Stanislaus CASTAGNE

    note: adopted 1962; song originally created to serve as an anthem for the West Indies Federation; adopted by Trinidad and Tobago following the Federation's dissolution in 1962

  • Tunisia

    name: "Humat Al Hima" (Defenders of the Homeland)

    lyrics/music: Mustafa Sadik AL-RAFII and Aboul-Qacem ECHEBBI/Mohamad Abdel WAHAB

    note: adopted 1957, replaced 1958, restored 1987; Mohamad Abdel WAHAB also composed the music for the anthem of the United Arab Emirates

  • Turkey

    name: "Istiklal Marsi" (Independence March)

    lyrics/music: Mehmet Akif ERSOY/Zeki UNGOR

    note: lyrics adopted 1921, music adopted 1932; the anthem's original music was adopted in 1924; a new composition was agreed upon in 1932

  • Turkmenistan

    name: "Garassyz, Bitarap Turkmenistanyn" (Independent, Neutral, Turkmenistan State Anthem)

    lyrics/music: collective/Veli MUKHATOV

    note: adopted 1997, lyrics revised in 2008, to eliminate references to deceased President Saparmurat NYYAZOW

  • Turks and Caicos Islands

    name: This Land of Ours

    lyrics/music: Conrad HOWELL

    note: serves as a local anthem; as a territory of the UK, "God Save the Queen" is the official anthem (see United Kingdom)

  • Tuvalu

    name: "Tuvalu mo te Atua" (Tuvalu for the Almighty)

    lyrics/music: Afaese MANOA

    note: adopted 1978; the anthem's name is also the nation's motto

  • Uganda

    name: Oh Uganda, Land of Beauty!

    lyrics/music: George Wilberforce KAKOMOA

    note: adopted 1962

  • Ukraine

    name: "Shche ne vmerla Ukraina" (Ukraine Has Not Yet Perished)

    lyrics/music: Paul CHUBYNSKYI/Mikhail VERBYTSKYI

    note: music adopted 1991, lyrics adopted 2003; song first performed in 1864 at the Ukraine Theatre in Lviv; the lyrics, originally written in 1862, were revised in 2003

  • United Arab Emirates

    name: "Nashid al-watani al-imarati" (National Anthem of the UAE)

    lyrics/music: AREF Al Sheikh Abdullah Al Hassan/Mohamad Abdel WAHAB

    note: music adopted 1971, lyrics adopted 1996; Mohamad Abdel WAHAB also composed the music for the anthem of Tunisia

  • United Kingdom

    name: God Save the Queen

    lyrics/music: unknown

    note: in use since 1745; by tradition, the song serves as both the national and royal anthem of the UK; it is known as either "God Save the Queen" or "God Save the King," depending on the gender of the reigning monarch; it also serves as the royal anthem of many Commonwealth nations

  • United States

    name: The Star-Spangled Banner

    lyrics/music: Francis Scott KEY/John Stafford SMITH

    note: adopted 1931; during the War of 1812, after witnessing the successful American defense of Fort McHenry in Baltimore following British naval bombardment, Francis Scott KEY wrote the lyrics to what would become the national anthem; the lyrics were set to the tune of "The Anacreontic Song"; only the first verse is sung

  • Uruguay

    name: "Himno Nacional" (National Anthem of Uruguay)

    lyrics/music: Francisco Esteban ACUNA de Figueroa/Francisco Jose DEBALI

    note: adopted 1848; the anthem is also known as "Orientales, la Patria o la tumba!" ("Uruguayans, the Fatherland or Death!"); it is the world's longest national anthem in terms of music (105 bars; almost five minutes); generally only the first verse and chorus are sung

  • Uzbekistan

    name: "O'zbekiston Respublikasining Davlat Madhiyasi" (National Anthem of the Republic of Uzbekistan)

    lyrics/music: Abdulla ARIPOV/Mutal BURHANOV

    note: adopted 1992; after the fall of the Soviet Union, Uzbekistan kept the music of the anthem from its time as a Soviet Republic but adopted new lyrics

  • Vanuatu

    name: "Yumi, Yumi, Yumi" (We, We, We)

    lyrics/music: Francois Vincent AYSSAV

    note: adopted 1980; the anthem is written in Bislama, a Creole language that mixes Pidgin English and French

  • Venezuela

    name: "Gloria al bravo pueblo" (Glory to the Brave People)

    lyrics/music: Vicente SALIAS/Juan Jose LANDAETA

    note: adopted 1881; lyrics written in 1810, the music some years later; both SALIAS and LANDAETA were executed in 1814 during Venezuela's struggle for independence

  • Vietnam

    name: "Tien quan ca" (The Song of the Marching Troops)

    lyrics/music: Nguyen Van CAO

    note: adopted as the national anthem of the Democratic Republic of Vietnam in 1945; it became the national anthem of the unified Socialist Republic of Vietnam in 1976; although it consists of two verses, only the first is used as the official anthem

  • Virgin Islands

    name: Virgin Islands March

    lyrics/music: multiple/Alton Augustus ADAMS, Sr.

    note: adopted 1963; serves as a local anthem; as a territory of the US, "The Star-Spangled Banner" is official (see United States)

  • Wallis and Futuna

    note: as a territory of France, "La Marseillaise" is official (see France)

  • World

    name: virtually every country has a national anthem; most (but not all) anthems have lyrics, which are usually in the national or most common language of the country; states with more than one national language may offer several versions of their anthem

    note: the world's oldest national anthem is the "Het Wilhelmus" (The William) of the Netherlands, which dates to the 17th century; the first national anthem to be officially adopted (1795) was "La Marseillaise" (The Song of Marseille) of France; Japan claims to have the world's shortest national anthem, entitled "Kimigayo" (The Emperor's Reign), it consists of 11 measures of music (the lyrics are also the world's oldest, dating to the 10th century or earlier); the world's longest national anthem is that of Greece, "Ymnos eis tin Eleftherian" (Hymn to Liberty) with 158 stanzas - only two of which are used; both Denmark and New Zealand have two official national anthems

  • Yemen

    name: "al-qumhuriyatu l-muttahida" (United Republic)

    lyrics/music: Abdullah Abdulwahab NOA'MAN/Ayyoab Tarish ABSI

    note: adopted 1990; the music first served as the anthem for South Yemen before unification with North Yemen in 1990

  • Zambia

    name: "Lumbanyeni Zambia" (Stand and Sing of Zambia, Proud and Free)

    lyrics/music: multiple/Enoch Mankayi SONTONGA

    note: adopted 1964; the melody, from the popular song "God Bless Africa," is the same as that of Tanzania but with different lyrics; the melody is also incorporated into South Africa's anthem

  • Zimbabwe

    name: "Kalibusiswe Ilizwe leZimbabwe" [Northern Ndebele language] "Simudzai Mureza WeZimbabwe" [Shona] (Blessed Be the Land of Zimbabwe)

    lyrics/music: Solomon MUTSWAIRO/Fred Lecture CHANGUNDEGA

    note: adopted 1994