[dropcap custom_class=”normal”]Song of Abidjan is Côte d’Ivoire’s national anthem. it was adopted at the country’s independence in 1960. The anthem is strongly influenced by religion and tinged with patriotism. The lyrics are from ministers Mathieu Vangah Ekraand Joachim Bony.[/dropcap]
The music has been composed by abbots Pierre-Marie Coty alongside Pierre-Michel Pango, taking La Marseillaise as model. It takes the form of a lyric and very patriotic poem, using inspiring images expressing the greatness of the Ivorian soil and values such as hope, peace, dignity and the “true brotherhood”.
Song of Abidjan
We salute you, O land of hope,
Country of hospitality;
Thy full gallant legions
Have restored thy dignity.
Beloved Ivory Coast, thy sons,
Proud builders of thy greatness,
All not mustered together for thy glory,
In joy will we construct thee.
Proud citizens of the Ivory Coast, the country call us.
If we have brought back liberty peacefully,
It will be our duty to be an example
Of the hope promised to humanity,
Forging unitedly in new faith
The Fatherland of true brotherhood.
Taken from http://en.wikipedia.org/