National anthem of Kenya
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"Ee Mungu Nguvu Yetu" (English: "O God of all Creation", lit. '"O God, our strength"') is the national anthem of Kenya.
History
U.S. Navy Band instrumental version (one verse)
Problems playing this file? See media help. "Ee Mungu Nguvu Yetu"'s lyrics were originally written in Kiswahili, the national language of Kenya. The commission included five members and was headed by the Kenya Music Adviser. It was based on a traditional tune sung by Pokomo mothers to their children.[1]
It is notable for being one of the first national anthems to be specifically commissioned as such. It was written by the Kenyan Anthem Commission in 1963 to serve as the state anthem after independence from the United Kingdom. It was expected that the lyrics would express the deepest convictions and the highest aspirations of the people as a whole.[1]
Lyrics
Swahili original[1][2] | IPA transcription[a] | Literal English translation | English lyrics[1][2] |
I Ee Mungu nguvu yetu Ilete baraka kwetu Haki iwe ngao na mlinzi Natukae na undugu Amani na uhuru Raha tupate na ustawi. II Amkeni ndugu zetu Tufanye sote bidii Nasi tujitoe kwa nguvu Nchi yetu ya Kenya Tunayoipenda Tuwe tayari kuilinda III Natujenge taifa letu Ee, ndio wajibu wetu Kenya istahili heshima Tuungane mikono Pamoja kazini Kila siku tuwe na shukrani | 1 [ɛː mu.ᵑɡu ᵑɡu.vu jɛ.tu] [i.lɛ.tɛ ɓɑ.rɑ.kɑ kwɛ.tu] [hɑ.ki i.wɛ ᵑɡɑ.ɔ nɑ mli.ⁿzi] [nɑ.tu.kɑ.ɛ nɑ u.ⁿdu.ɠu] [ɑ.mɑ.ni nɑ u.hu.ru] [rɑ.hɑ tu.pɑ.tɛ nɑ us.tɑ.wi] 2 [ɑm.kɛ.ni ⁿdu.ɠu zɛ.tu] [tu.fɑ.ɲɛ sɔ.tɛ bi.diː] [nɑ.si tu.ʄi.tɔ.ɛ kwɑ ᵑɡu.vu] [ⁿ.t͡ʃi jɛ.tu jɑ kɛ.ɲɑ] [tu.nɑ.jɔ.i.pɛ.ⁿdɑ] [tu.wɛ tɑ.jɑ.ri ku.i.li.ⁿdɑ] 3 [nɑ.tu.ʄɛ.ᵑɡɛ tɑi̯.fɑ lɛ.tu] [ɛː ⁿdi.ɔ wɑ.ʄi.bu wɛ.tu] [kɛ.ɲɑ is.tɑ.hi.li hɛ.ʃi.mɑ] [tuː.ᵑɡɑ.nɛ mi.kɔ.nɔ] [pɑ.mɔ.ʄɑ kɑ.zi.ni] [ki.lɑ si.ku tu.wɛ nɑ.ʃuk.rɑ.ni] | I O God our strength Bring a blessing to us Justice be our shield and defender Let us have brotherhood Peace and freedom. Happiness we get and prosperity. II Awake, our brethren; Let's all work hard And let us give ourselves mightily Our country of Kenya That we love Let's be ready to defend it III Let's build our nation Yes, that's our responsibility Kenya deserves respect Let's join hands Together at work Every day let us be grateful. | I O God of all creation Bless this our land and nation Justice be our shield and defender May we dwell in unity Peace and liberty Plenty be found within our borders. II Let one and all arise With hearts both strong and true Service be our earnest endeavour And our homeland of Kenya Heritage and splendour Firm may we stand to defend. III Let all with one accord In common bond united Build this our nation together And the glory of Kenya The fruit of our labour Fill every heart with thanksgiving. |
Notes
- ^ See Help:IPA/Swahili and Swahili language § Phonology.
References
- ^ a b c d "Selecting Kenya's National Anthem". State House. Archived from the original on 2014-08-29. Retrieved 2016-07-31.
- ^ a b "Constitution of Kenya (b) The National Anthem". Kenya Law Reform Commission. Retrieved 2022-01-29.
External links
- "Ee Mungu Nguvu Yetu" in MIDI format
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