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The National Anthem of Belize

24 Nov

The National Anthem of Belize

Land of the Free is the national anthem of Belize. The words were written by Samuel Alfred Haynes and the music by Selwyn Walford Young in 1963. It was officially adopted in 1981.

Lyrics

O, Land of the Free by the Carib Sea,
Our manhood we pledge to thy liberty!
No tyrants here linger, despots must flee
This tranquil haven of democracy.
The blood of our sires, which hallows the sod,
Brought freedom from slavery oppression’s rod,
By the might of truth and the grace of God,
No longer shall we be hewers of wood.
Chorus: (repeated after second verse as well)
Arise! ye sons of the Baymen’s clan,
Put on your armour, clear the land!
Drive back the tyrants, let despots flee -
Land of the Free by the Carib Sea!
Nature has blessed thee with wealth untold,
O’er mountains and valleys where prairies roll;
Our fathers, the Baymen, valiant and bold
Drove back the invader; this heritage hold
From proud Rio Hondo to old Sarstoon,
Through coral isle, over blue lagoon;
Keep watch with the angels, the stars and moon;
For freedom comes tomorrow’s noon.

  1. To introduce Belize at international events such as soccer matches, international sporting tournaments, conferences etc.
  2. Locally, to introduce top national dignitaries such as the Governor General, Prime Minister, Leader of the Opposition etc.
  3. Most schools sing it at least once a week as part of school services; special church services, such as those on Independence Day, make use of the anthem.
  4. Introduces most radio and television stations sign-on routine.
  5. Generally, to identify Belize as an independent nation.

Information maintained by Caribbeanflags.com

The Coat of Arms of Belize

24 Nov

The Coat of Arms of Belize

The Coat of Arms of Belize

The Coat of Arms of Belize was adopted upon independence, and is only slightly different from the coat of arms used when Belize was a British colony.

The circular border of the coat is formed by twenty five leaves. Within this circle is a mahogany tree, in front of which is a shield. Within the shield are the tools of a woodcutter in the upper quadrants and a ship in the lower one. These are symbolic of the importance of mahogany and its usage in the construction of boats.

The shield is supported by two wood-cutters of different races. The one on the left is
holding an axe, while the one on the right is holding an oar. Again the importance of the mahogany and its importance to boat building are represented. At the bottom is the national motto on a scroll.

The coat of arms features predominantly on the national flag.

Information maintained by Caribbeanflags.com

The Flag of Belize

24 Nov

The Flag of Belize

The Flag of Belize

The national flag of Belize was adopted on September 21, 1981 upon independence from the United Kingdom. The flag is a continued version of the earlier flag of British Honduras (the name of Belize during the British colonial period). This flag was established in 1950 when British Honduras began winning its independence. The two red stripes at the top and bottom were added to the original design when they had gained independence. At the center of the flag is the Belizean coat of arms. The flag of Belize is unique in that it contains twelve colours, three more than on any other national flag.

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The Flag of Sint Maarten

23 Nov

The Flag of Sint Maarten

The Flag of Sint Maarten

The flag of Sint Maarten is the national flag of the Dutch part of Saint Martin island, which is a country within the Kingdom of the Netherlands. It was adopted 13 June 1985.

Information maintained by Caribbeanflags.com

The National Anthem of Sint Maarten

23 Nov

The National Anthem of Sint Maarten

O Sweet Saint Martin’s Land is the bi-national song of Saint Martin/Sint-Maarten island, in the Caribbean, this island being divided between France and Kingdom of the Netherlands.

This full original version was written by the French side Catholic Father Gerard Kemps in 1958.

Where over the world, say where,
You find an island there,
So lovely small with nations free
With people French and Dutch
Though talking English much,
As thee Saint Martin in the sea?

Chorus :
O sweet Saint Martin’s Land
So bright by beach and strand
With sailors on the sea and harbors free
Where the chains of mountains green
Variously in sunlight sheen

O I love thy Paradise,
Nature-beauty fairly nice (twice)

How pretty between all green
Flamboyants beaming gleam
Of flowers red by sunlight set
Thy cows and sheep and goats
In meadows or on roads
Thy donkeys keen can’t I forget

Thy useful birds in white
Their morn and evening flight
Like aircrafts-wings in unity
Their coming down for food
Then turning back to roost
Bring home to me their harmony

Saint Martin I love thy name
In which Columbus fame
And memories of old are those
For me a great delight
Thy Southern Cross the night
May God the Lord protect thy coast!

French version (Original)

Trouvez-moi une perle si chère,
comme l’île Saint-Martin en mer,
chaîne de mornes et vallées;
riche de plages bien dorées
qui donnent la paix, donnent le repos
dans ses mornes et toutes ses eaux.

Choeur (refrain):
Saint-Martin, Saint-Martin,
Si jolie en tous ses coins. (bis)

Quel charme ses flamboyants,
leur fleurs un enchantement,
tout un bouquet de flammes vives.
Quand le soleil ici arrive,
donnant splendeur, montrant beauté,
Quel éclat de tous cotés.

Sa cime “le Pic Paradis”,
ravit les touristes ici,
d’où sa verdure fait merveille;
un panorama sans pareil,
voyant les plaines, voyant la mer,
colorées en bleu et vert.

Le vol de ses pélicans,
gracieux et si élégants
quand ils plannent haut en l’air,
quand ils plongent dans la mer;
Dites-moi l’endroit, où on les voit,
lorsqu’ils fondent sur leur proies

Son nom toujours Saint-Martin
rest’ra dans l’histoire sans fin,
Christophe Colomb l’a découverte,
lui a donné son nom si cher,
Dieu protecteur, Dieu de bonté,
garde-la bien en prospérité!

Information maintained by Caribbeanflags.com

The National Anthem of El Salvador

23 Nov

The National Anthem of El Salvador

“Himno Nacional de El Salvador” (Spanish Language National Anthem of El Salvador) is the national anthem of El Salvador. Written by General Juan José Cañas with music composed by the Italian Juan Aberle in 1856, the anthem was adopted as the national song on September 15, 1879, and officially recognized by the government on December 11, 1953. Commonly, only the chorus (which is repeated) is played and sung at sporting events and official diplomatic ceremonies, the anthem is ended before the first verse (the slow music) due to the chorus being the strongest musical part of the anthem.

Lyrics (in Spanish)

CORO:
Saludemos la patria orgullosos
De hijos suyos podernos llamar;
Y juremos la vida animosa,
Sin descanso a su bien consagrar.

PRIMERA ESTROFA
De la paz en la dicha suprema,
Siempre noble soñó El Salvador;
Fue obtenerla su eterno problema,
Conservarla es su gloria mayor.
Y con fe inquebrantable el camino
Del progreso se afana en seguir
Por llenar su grandioso destino,
Conquistarse un feliz porvenir.
Le protege una férrea barrera
Contra el choque de ruin deslealtad,
Desde el día que en su alta bandera
Con su sangre escribió: ¡LIBERTAD!
CORO

SEGUNDA ESTROFA
Libertad es su dogma, es su guía
Que mil veces logró defender;
Y otras tantas, de audaz tiranía
Rechazar el odioso poder.
Dolorosa y sangrienta es su historia,
Pero excelsa y brillante a la vez;
Manantial de legítima gloria,
Gran lección de espartana altivez.
No desmaya en su innata bravura,
En cada hombre hay un héroe inmortal
Que sabrá mantenerse a la altura
De su antiguo valor proverbial.
CORO

TERCERA ESTROFA
Todos son abnegados, y fieles
Al prestigio del bélico ardor
Con que siempre segaron laureles
De la patria salvando el honor.
Respetar los derechos extraños
Y apoyarse en la recta razón
Es para ella, sin torpes amaños
Su invariable, más firme ambición.
Y en seguir esta línea se aferra
Dedicando su esfuerzo tenaz,
En hacer cruda guerra a la guerra:
Su ventura se encuentra en la paz.

English translation

CHORUS
Salute the Motherland, proud
to be called Its children
And let us swear our lives spiritedly
Without rest to its good consecrate

FIRST VERSE
Of peace enjoyed in perfect happiness
El Salvador always nobly dreamed.
To achieve this has been Her eternal proposition,
To keep it, Her greatest glory.
With inviolable faith, the path of progress
She strives to follow
To fulfil Her great destiny
And conquer a happy future.
A stern barrier protects Her
Against the clash of vile disloyalty,
Ever since the day when Her soaring Flag,
Wrote Freedom with Its blood.
CHORUS

SECOND VERSE
Freedom is Her dogma and Her guide;
A thousand times She has defended it,
And as many times has She repelled
The hateful power of atrocious tyranny.
Her history has been bloody and sad,
Yet at the same time sublime and brilliant,
A source of legitimate glory
And a great lesson in Spartan pride.
Her innate bravery shall not waver:
In every man there is an immortal hero
Who knows how to maintain the level
Of the proverbial valour of old.
CHORUS

THIRD VERSE
All are self-denying and faithful
To the tradition of warlike ardour
With which they have always reaped fame
By saving the Motherland’s honour.
To respect the rights of others
And base Her actions on right and justice
Is for Her, without infamous intrigue,
The constant and most firm ambition.
And in following this line She persists,
Dedicating her tenacious efforts
In giving hard battle for battle;
Her happiness is found in peace.
CHORUS

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The Coat of Arms of El Salvador

23 Nov

The Coat of Arms of El Salvador

The coat of arms of El Salvador has been in use in its current form since 15 September 1912. Its center consists of a triangle, in which five volcanoes rise out of the sea. They symbolize the five member states of the United Provinces of Central America. Above the volcanoes is a red Phrygian cap on a staff before a golden sun and the date 15 September 1821, Independence Day of El Salvador. Over it is a rainbow which means peace. Behind the coat of arms there are five flags representing the flags of the Federal Republic of Central America raised. Under it, there is a scroll which states the national motto of El Salvador: Dios, Unión, Libertad (Span., “God, Union, Liberty”). All of this is surrounded by a laurel garland, which is tied together under the national flag. The garland is divided into 14 different parts, which symbolize the 14 Departaments, the Salvadoran subnational administrative units. All this is surrounded by golden letters, which form the Spanish words REPÚBLICA DE EL SALVADOR EN LA AMÉRICA CENTRAL (English: Republic of El Salvador in Central America).

Information maintained by Caribbeanflags.com

The Flag of El Salvador

23 Nov

The Flag of El Salvador

The Flag of El Salvador

The flag of El Salvador was inspired by the flag of the Federal Republic of Central America, and by the flag of Argentina, the country that sent one of the first fleets to help consummate the independence of Central American republics from Spain.

There are two versions of the flag, one containing the national coat of arms and the other the words “DIOS UNION LIBERTAD” (Spanish: God, Union, Liberty). The one bearing the coat of arms is used by the government and state organizations. The other version is used for civil purposes. Both flags have the 3:5 aspect ratio.

From 1865 to 1912, a different flag was in use, with a field of alternating blue and white stripes and a red canton containing white stars.

The actual blue and white stripes in flag are based on the importance of añil exports, añil was commonly used as a source for indigo dye.

Information maintained by Caribbeanflags.com

The Flag of Ecuador

23 Nov

The Flag of Ecuador

The Flag of Ecuador

The flag of Ecuador, which consists of horizontal bands of yellow (double width), blue and red, was first adopted on September 26, 1860. The design of the current flag was finalized in 1900 with the addition of the coat of arms in the center of the flag. Before using the yellow, blue and red tricolor, Ecuador used white and blue flags that contained stars for each province of the country. The design of the flag is very similar to that of Colombia and Venezuela, which are also former constituent territories of Gran Colombia. All three are based on a proposal by Venezuelan General Francisco de Miranda, which was adopted by Venezuela in 1811 and later Gran Colombia with some modifications. There is a variant of the flag that does not contain the coat of arms that is used by the merchant marine. This flag matches Colombia’s in every aspect, but Colombia uses a different design when her merchant marine ships are at sail.

Information maintained by Caribbeanflags.com

The National Anthem of Ecuador

23 Nov

The National Anthem of Ecuador

“¡Salve, Oh Patria!” (“We Salute You, Our Homeland”) is the national anthem of Ecuador. The lyrics were written in 1865 by the poet Juan León Mera, under request of the Ecuadorian Senate; the music was composed by Antonio Neumane. However, the anthem was not officially adopted by the Congress until September 29, 1948.

The anthem consists of a chorus and six verses, of which only the second verse and the chorus (before and after the verse) are sung.

Spanish lyrics

Coro
¡Salve, Oh Patria, mil veces! ¡Oh Patria,
gloria a ti! ¡Gloria a ti!
Ya tu pecho, tu pecho, rebosa
Gozo y paz y a tu pecho rebosa;
Y tu frente, tu frente radiosa
Más que el sol contemplamos lucir,
Y tu frente, tu frente radiosa
Más que el sol contemplamos lucir.

2da Estrofa
Los primeros los hijos del suelo
Que soberbio, el Pichincha decora
Te aclamaron por siempre señora
Y vertieron su sangre por ti.
Dios miró y aceptó el holocausto
Y esa sangre fue germen fecundo
De otros héroes que atónito el mundo
Vio en tu torno a millares surgir.
A millares surgir, a millares surgir.
Coro

Spanish full lyrics

Coro
¡Salve, Oh Patria, mil veces! ¡Oh Patria,
gloria a ti! Y a tu pecho rebosa
gozo y paz, y tu frente radiosa
más que el sol contemplamos lucir.

I
Indignados tus hijos del yugo
que te impuso la ibérica audacia,
de la injusta y horrenda desgracia
que pesaba fatal sobre ti,
santa voz a los cielos alzaron,
voz de noble y sin par juramento,
de vengarte del monstruo sangriento,
de romper ese yugo servil.

II
Los primeros los hijos del suelo
que, soberbio, el Pichincha decora
te aclamaron por siempre señora
y vertieron su sangre por ti.
Dios miró y aceptó el holocausto,
y esa sangre fue germen fecundo
de otros héroes que, atónito, el mundo
vio en tu torno a millares surgir.

III
Cedió al fin la fiereza española,
y hoy, oh Patria, tu libre existencia
es la noble y magnífica herencia
que nos dio el heroísmo feliz:
de las manos paternas la hubimos,
nadie intente arrancárnosla ahora,
ni nuestra ira excitar vengadora
quiera, necio o audaz, contra si.

IV
De esos héroes el brazo de hierro
nada tuvo invencible la tierra
y del valle a la altísima sierra
se escuchaba el fragor de la lid;
tras la lid la victoria volaba,
libertad tras el triunfo venía,
y al león destrozado se oía
de impotencia y despecho rugir

V
Nadie, oh Patria, lo intente. Las sombras
de tus héroes gloriosos nos miran
y el valor y el orgullo que inspiran
son augurios de triunfos por ti.
Venga el hierro y el plomo fulmíneo,
que a la idea de guerra y venganza
se despierta la heroica pujanza
que hizo al fiero español sucumbir.

VI
Y si nuevas cadenas prepara
la injusticia de bárbara suerte,
¡gran Pichincha! prevén tú la muerte
de la Patria y sus hijos al fin;
hunde al punto en tus hondas entrañas
cuando existe en tu tierra; el tirano
huelle solo cenizas y en vano
busque rastro de ser junto a ti.

English translation

Chorus
We greet you, Oh Fatherland, a thousand times!
Oh Fatherland, Glory be to you! Glory be to you!
Your breast, your breast, overflows,
Your breast overflows with joy and peace;
And your radiant face, your radiant face
is brighter than the sun shining we see,
And your radiant face, your radiant face
is brighter than the sun shining we see.

II
The worthy sons of the soil
Which magnificently adorns Pichincha,
They always declared you as their sovereign lady
And shed their blood for you.
God observed and accepted that sacrifice,
And this blood was the prolific seed
Of other heroes who amazed the world,
And in turn, of thousands arising around you.
Thousands arising around you, thousands arising around you.
Chorus

III
He yielded at last the fierce Spanish,
And now, oh fatherland, your free existence
The noble and magnificent heritage,
That gave us the heroism happy:
The father’s hands we had,
No one tries arrancárnosla now
Excite our anger or vengeful
Wish, foolish or bold, against itself.

IV
Of the heroes iron arm
No land was invincible,
And the high mountain valley
You could hear the roar of the fray;
After the lid flew to victory,
Freedom after the victory came,
And the lion was heard broken
Roar of helplessness and despair

V
No one, oh Patria, try it. Shadows
Your glorious heroes watch us,
And the value and pride that inspire
They are omens of wins for you.
Come on fulmíneo iron and lead,
That the idea of ​​war and revenge
Wakes the heroic strength
He did succumb to the fierce Spanish.

VI
And if new chains prepared
The barbaric injustice of fate,
Pichincha great! you expect death
Of the country and their children to the end;
Sinks to the deep point in your gut
When there in your land, the tyrant
Trample only ashes and in vain
Look for trace to be with you.

Information maintained by Caribbeanflags.com

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