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Fair Antigua, We Salute Thee

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Fair Antigua, We Salute Thee
National anthem of Antigua and Barbuda
LyricsNovelle Hamilton Richards, 1967
MusicWalter Garnet Picart Chambers, 1967
Adopted1967
Readopted1981
Audio sample
U.S. Navy Band instrumental version (one verse)

"Fair Antigua, We Salute Thee" is the de facto[1] national anthem of Antigua and Barbuda. Written by Novelle Hamilton Richards and composed by Walter Garnet Picart Chambers, it was adopted in 1967 while Antigua and Barbuda were still a British colony.[2] It was adopted as the customary national anthem upon independence in 1981.[3] Officially, the song is not mentioned in Antiguan and Barbudan legislation although in practice the song is performed during various official events.[1]

Lyrics

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The first verse is usually only performed during official events.

I
Fair Antigua and Barbuda.
We thy sons and daughters stand
Strong and firm in peace or danger
To safeguard our native land
We commit ourselves to building
A true nation brave and free;
Ever striving, ever seeking,
Dwell in love and unity

II
Raise the standard! Raise it boldly!
Answer now to duty's call
To the service of thy country,
Sparing nothing, giving all;
Gird your loins and join the battle
'Gainst fear, hate and poverty,
Each endeavouring, all achieving,
Live in peace where man is free.

III
God of nations, let Thy blessings
Fall upon this land of ours;
Rain and sunshine ever sending,
Fill her fields with crops and flowers;
We her children do implore Thee,
Give us strength, faith, loyalty,
Never failing, all enduring
To defend her liberty.[4]

Former 1967-1981 lyrics

[edit]

I[5]

Fair Antigua, we salute thee,
Proudly we this anthem raise.
To thy glory and thy beauty,
Joyfully we sing the praise
Of the virtues, all bestowed
On thy sons and daughters free;
Ever striving, ever seeking,
Dwell in love and unity.

II

Raise the standard! Raise it boldly!
Answer now to duty’s call
To the service of thy country,
Sparing nothing, giving all.
Gird your loins and join the battle
’Gainst fear, hate and poverty,
Each endeavouring, all achieving,
Live in peace where man is free.

III

God of nations, let Thy blessing
Fall upon this land of ours;
Rain and sunshine ever sending,
Fill her fields with crops and flowers.
We, her children, do implore Thee,
Give us strength, faith, loyalty,
Never failing, all enduring,
To defend her liberty.

References

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  1. ^ a b Cuffy, Alex (2024-07-09). "Anthems of Antigua and Barbuda". Axarplex. Retrieved 2025-07-25.
  2. ^ Agency, Central Intelligence (2016-11-22). The CIA World Factbook 2017. Skyhorse Publishing, Inc. p. 32. ISBN 9781510712898.
  3. ^ Minahan, James (2009-12-23). The Complete Guide to National Symbols and Emblems [2 Volumes]. ABC-CLIO. p. 658. ISBN 9780313344978.
  4. ^ "Our National Anthem". Our National Anthem. Retrieved 2022-04-13.
  5. ^ "ANTIGUA & BARBUDA'S CULTURAL HERITAGE". antiguahistory.net. Archived from the original on 2016-03-04. Retrieved 2022-05-15.
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