The Nigerian National Anthem
For those who are old enough to remember, we once had a Nigerian national anthem much different from the one song today.
Sometime in the 1990s, I was rummaging through the Port Harcourt library for some literature when I came across a book of national anthems. I decided to look up the Nigerian national anthem just to satisfy a certain playful curiosity. What I saw surprised me.
I found the old Nigerian national anthem. For those Nigerians who are old enough to remember, we once had a national anthem that stood very different from the one we have today. Those many years ago, shortly before the second republic, it was deemed necessary to change it to the current anthem that begins thus: “Arise O Compatriot…”
Now, the following are the words of the old Nigerian national anthem.
Nigerian We Hail Thee
Nigeria we hail thee
Our home and native land
Though tribe and tongue may differ
In brotherhood we stand
Nigerian all and proud to serve
Our native motherland.
Our flag should be a symbol
That truth and justice reigns
Through peace and battle honoured
And this we count as gain
To hand onto our children
A banner without stain.
Oh God of all creation Grant this our one request And help se build a nation Where no man is oppressed And so in peace and plenty Nigeria may me blessed.
Conclusion
As I peered through the words of this ancient forgotten anthem, I saw in them the beginning, past, present and possible future of the Nigerian union. Tears rushed from my eyes in the middle of that library on that day; tears which I tried to hide from prying eyes by cloaking myself within the shadows of dusty book shelves.
I believe we replaced this anthem as a nation because it reminded us of how far we had strayed from the promise of a better nation embedded within its verses. In my view, these verses encapsulate a belief and a promise that the Nigerian nation should never forget.
Liked it
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
Post CommentMidas Touch
On August 9, 2008 at 11:46 pm
Good stuff. I remember the old anthem. Thought I would clean it up to reflect its originality. Just minor errors. Great job. My highlights did not transfer, so you will need to read through it all.
Nigeria we hail thee
Our home and native land
Though tribe and tongue may differ
In brotherhood we stand
Nigerians all are proud to serve
Our native souvereign motherland.
Our flag should be a symbol
That truth and justice reigns
Through peace and battle honoured
And this we count as gain
To hand onto our children
A banner without stain.
Oh God of all creation Grant this our one request
Help us to build a nation where no man is oppressed
And so in peace and plenty Nigeria may me blessed.
Midas Touch
On August 9, 2008 at 11:48 pm
Paragraph one, last line – intended to read “Our souvereign motherland.” Sorry.
WUNMI
On August 23, 2008 at 11:46 pm
I WAS IN PRY 4 OR SO WHEN THE ANTHEM WAS CHANGED, BUT I STILL REMEMBER THE FIRST STANZA VERY WELL AND ONE OR TWO LINES
IN THE SECOND STANZA. AND I WILL SAY, I LOVE THE OLD ANTHEM THAN THE NEW ONE.
ADEBOLA
On October 16, 2008 at 3:57 pm
I prefer d 1st anthem 2 d 2nd one cos it is solemn and melodious, y did dey change it and u know wat my favourite part is d 1st stanza,d last line ‘Our native SOUVEREIGN MOTHERLAND’.
olaDOKUN OLAYEMI JONA
On November 12, 2008 at 8:52 am
enough is enough let us to build a nation where no man is oppressed
odogwu k o
On March 13, 2009 at 3:31 pm
old anthem was better, it means alot to nigerians, made more sense. lets change it, but its too late.
Alexander Ojide
On April 24, 2009 at 12:00 pm
I like the old National Anthem than the new one because I dont like the way that the military shoved the new Anthem through our throats because the old Anthem talks really about nigeria
Oye
On May 28, 2009 at 12:03 pm
I would like to correct some commonly held errors in the way the old anthem was sung and continues to be written. For example “Nigerians all ARE proud to serve”, the correct version should be “Nigerians all AND proud to serve”
Below is the correct lyrics of that beloved anthem that was replaced in 1978:
Nigeria we hail thee
Our home and native land
Though tribe and tongue may differ
In brotherhood we stand
Nigerians all and proud to serve
Our native sovereign motherland.
Our flag should be a symbol
That truth and justice reigns
In peace and battle honoured
And this we count as gain
To hand onto our children
A banner without stain.
Oh God of all creation
Grant this our one request
Help us to build a nation
Where no man is oppressed
And so with peace and plenty
Nigeria may me blessed.