God_Bless_Fiji

God Bless Fiji

God Bless Fiji

National anthem of Fiji

"Meda Dau Doka" (Fijian pronunciation: [me.ⁿda ⁿdɔu̯ ⁿdo.ka]), or "God Bless Fiji", is the national anthem of Fiji. The lyrics were written by Michael Francis Alexander Prescott (1928–2006) to the tune of the hymn "Dwelling in Beulah Land" by Charles Austin Miles (1911),[1][2] and the music was adapted by Viliame Bale,[2] Superintendent and Director of Music in the Royal Fiji Police Band.[2][3] The anthem was adopted upon independence from the United Kingdom in 1970.[2]

Quick Facts English:, Lyrics ...

Lyrics

The anthem's English version is usually sung. The English and Fijian lyrics are not translations of each other and have very little in common.[1]

In August 2008, the draft version of the People's Charter for Change, Peace and Progress, a government document intended to supplement the Constitution and reconcile ethnic and linguistic divides, suggested that the national anthem should be in the country's three main languages: Fijian, Hindi and English.[4] The Charter later served as the basis for the 2013 Constitution of Fiji.

English lyrics

I
Blessing grant oh God of nations on the isles of Fiji
As we stand united under noble banner blue
And we honour and defend the cause of freedom ever
Onward march together, God bless Fiji.

Chorus:
For Fiji, ever Fiji, let our voices ring with pride
For Fiji, ever Fiji, her name hail far and wide,[lower-alpha 1]
A land of freedom, hope and glory to endure whatever befall[lower-alpha 2]
May God bless Fiji forever more!

II
Blessing grant, oh God of nations, on the isles of Fiji
Shores of golden sand and sunshine, happiness and song
Stand united, we of Fiji, fame and glory ever
Onward march together, God bless Fiji.

Chorus[10][11]

Fijian lyrics

More information IPA transcription, English translation ...

Hindi lyrics

More information Fiji Hindi lyrics ...

See also

Notes

  1. "Hail" is sometimes sung as "hails".[5][6][7]
  2. "Whatever" is sometimes sung as "whate'er",[5][8] and "befall" is sometimes sung as "befalls".[5][7][9]
  3. See Help:IPA/Fijian, Fijian language § Phonology and Fijian language § Orthography.
  4. Sometimes sung as Me sa biu na i tovo tawa yaga ([me sa ᵐbi̯u na‿i to.βo ta.ɰa ja.ŋa]).[12]
  5. Ra is sometimes omitted.[12][13]

References

  1. [1]
    Agency, Central Intelligence (2015-11-24). The CIA World Factbook 2016. Simon and Schuster. p. 1755. ISBN 978-1-5107-0089-5.
  2. [2]
    Williams, Atasa (2021-10-10). "Let our voices ring with pride". The Fiji Times. Retrieved 2022-01-19.
  3. [3]
    Fiji Handbook: Business and Travel Guide. Pacific Publications. 1987. p. 82. ISBN 978-0-85807-060-8.
  4. [4]
    "Charter proposes common name". The Fiji Times. 2008-08-07. Archived from the original on 2012-03-22.
  5. [5]
    Bulikula Art Group - Topic (2018-08-11). "Meda Dau Doka (N) Anthem". YouTube. Archived from the original on 2022-04-25. Retrieved 2022-01-20.
  6. [6]
    Tawakilagi Fiji (2016-08-16). "Tawakilagi: Fiji 7s Olympic Gold 2016 GOD BLESS FIJI". YouTube. Archived from the original on 2022-04-25. Retrieved 2022-01-20.
  7. [7]
    Chef Lance Seeto (2012-01-26). ""We Are Fiji" Fijian Anthem - Laisa Vulakoro". YouTube. Archived from the original on 2022-04-25. Retrieved 2022-01-20.
  8. [8]
    NewEarthVoices (2010-07-29). "Fijian National Anthem - New Earth Voices A Cappella". YouTube. Archived from the original on 2022-04-25. Retrieved 2022-01-20.
  9. [9]
    slevisham (2009-08-06). "National Anthem of Fiji (Vocal)". YouTube. Archived from the original on 2022-04-25. Retrieved 2022-01-20.
  10. [10]
    "National Anthem of Fiji". Embassy of the Republic of Fiji in Belgium. Archived from the original on 2022-01-20. Retrieved 2022-01-19.
  11. [11]
    "National Anthem". 20th Conference of Commonwealth Education Ministers - Fiji. Retrieved 2022-01-19.
  12. [12]
    Queen Victoria School Choir, Matavatucou - Topic (2020-04-14). "Meda Dau Doka". YouTube. Archived from the original on 2022-04-25. Retrieved 2022-01-19.
  13. [13]
    DeroVolkTV (2021-09-21). "National Anthem of Fiji (Fijian Version) - "Meda Dau Doka" 🎵". YouTube. Archived from the original on 2021-10-02. Retrieved 2022-01-20.
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