National Anthem of Rhodesia (1974 - 1979)

Rhodesia was an unrecognised state located in southern Africa that existed between 1965 and 1979 following its Unilateral Declaration of Independence from the United Kingdom on 11 November 1965. With its government based at the former colonial capital of Salisbury, its territory consisted of the former British colony of Southern Rhodesia. The state was named after Cecil John Rhodes, whose British South Africa Company acquired the land in the 19th century.

Rise O Voices of Rhodesia was adopted as the national anthem of Rhodesia in 1974. The tune was that of the "Ode to Joy" from Beethoven's Symphony No. 9 ("The Choral Symphony"). The words were written by Mary Bloom.

Lyrics:
Rise O voices of Rhodesia,
God may we thy bounty share,
Give us strength to face all danger,
And where challenge is, to dare.

Guide us, Lord, to wise decision,
Ever of thy grace aware.
Oh, let our hearts beat bravely always
For this land within thy care.

Rise O voices of Rhodesia,
Bringing her your proud acclaim,
Grandly echoing through the mountains
Rolling over far flung plain

Roaring in the mighty rivers
Joining in one grand refrain
Ascending to the sunlit heavens
Telling of her honoured name

Category:

Music

Tags:

• rhodesia
• national
• anthem
• zimbabwe
• africa

[reginavittoria]

@SpamZoid The United Nations did not recognize the Indipendent state of Rhodesia and "de jure" was British until 1980

[SpamZoid]

@reginavittoria from 1890 to 1965 and a few weeks in 1980. 

[soxfan1013]

@reginavittoria ....woooow

[reginavittoria]

Rhodesia was British territory before 1980

[bjr43]

They used the same tune as Ode to Joy for this.