Land of the Free
Encyclopedia
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.
as part of the colonial effort for Great Britain
and encountered much abuse and ridicule along with his fellow workers. On his return to Belize he became a part of workers' movements in Belize and is readily identified with the 1919 Ex-Servicemen's Riot that began on July 22. After that riot was suppressed, Haynes began organizing Belize's branch of the Universal Negro Improvement Association (UNIA) and facilitated the visit of its head Marcus Garvey
of Jamaica
. Garvey recruited Haynes to work with him in the U.S., a move that rendered the UNIA in Belize leaderless for much of the 1920s and that indirectly contributed to the Isaiah Morter controversy. Haynes most likely wrote the anthem as an answer to colonialism's stifling of Belizeans' identity. The lofty language and uplifting lyrics referenced Belize's former status as a slave society indebted to profits from forestry, cleverly linking it to the end of Belize's colonial period, a process that culminated on September 21, 1981. The song was originally titled "Land of the Gods", a salute to the proliferation of organized religion in Belize.
, the search was on for new symbols of Belizean identity. The PUP had defied the colonial order by singing "God Bless America
" instead of the royal anthem "God Save the King" (or Queen). At independence, the ruling PUP named the anthem Belize's official one and played it at emotional independence ceremonies on September 21. Most Belizeans agreed with the choice but lamented that it had not been put to a vote of Belizean residents.
-Mestizo
born correspondent Clinton Luna, who suggested that the phrase "sons of the Belizean soil" should replace "sons' of the Baymen's clan" in the chorus in recent issues of the Amandala
weekly newspaper. The newspaper itself has previously argued to the same effect. However, Amandala contributor Henry Gordon countered in a later issue that nothing in the anthem represents any sort of bias to any ethnic group in Belize.
National anthem
A national anthem is a generally patriotic musical composition that evokes and eulogizes the history, traditions and struggles of its people, recognized either by a nation's government as the official national song, or by convention through use by the people.- History :Anthems rose to prominence...
of Belize
Belize
Belize is a constitutional monarchy and the northernmost country in Central America. Belize has a diverse society, comprising many cultures and languages. Even though Kriol and Spanish are spoken among the population, Belize is the only country in Central America where English is the official...
. The words were written by Samuel Alfred Haynes
Samuel Alfred Haynes
Samuel Haynes was an African Caribbean Belizean soldier, activist and poet. He was a leader of the 1919 riot by Belizean soldiers who had fought for Great Britain in World War I and refused to accept racial discrimination at home...
and the music by Selwyn Walford Young
Selwyn Walford Young
Selwyn Walford Young , usually known as Walford Young, was a Belizean musician and composer. Among his most famous compositions is Belize's national anthem, "Land of the Free", accompanying lyrics written by Samuel Haynes.- See also :...
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.
- 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.
- 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!
Samuel Haynes
Haynes participated in World War IWorld War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
as part of the colonial effort for Great Britain
Great Britain
Great Britain or Britain is an island situated to the northwest of Continental Europe. It is the ninth largest island in the world, and the largest European island, as well as the largest of the British Isles...
and encountered much abuse and ridicule along with his fellow workers. On his return to Belize he became a part of workers' movements in Belize and is readily identified with the 1919 Ex-Servicemen's Riot that began on July 22. After that riot was suppressed, Haynes began organizing Belize's branch of the Universal Negro Improvement Association (UNIA) and facilitated the visit of its head Marcus Garvey
Marcus Garvey
Marcus Mosiah Garvey, Jr., ONH was a Jamaican publisher, journalist, entrepreneur, and orator who was a staunch proponent of the Black Nationalism and Pan-Africanism movements, to which end he founded the Universal Negro Improvement Association and African Communities League...
of Jamaica
Jamaica
Jamaica is an island nation of the Greater Antilles, in length, up to in width and 10,990 square kilometres in area. It is situated in the Caribbean Sea, about south of Cuba, and west of Hispaniola, the island harbouring the nation-states Haiti and the Dominican Republic...
. Garvey recruited Haynes to work with him in the U.S., a move that rendered the UNIA in Belize leaderless for much of the 1920s and that indirectly contributed to the Isaiah Morter controversy. Haynes most likely wrote the anthem as an answer to colonialism's stifling of Belizeans' identity. The lofty language and uplifting lyrics referenced Belize's former status as a slave society indebted to profits from forestry, cleverly linking it to the end of Belize's colonial period, a process that culminated on September 21, 1981. The song was originally titled "Land of the Gods", a salute to the proliferation of organized religion in Belize.
Exalting by the PUP
With the arrival of the nationalist movement led by the People's United PartyPeople's United Party
The People's United Party is one of two major political parties in Belize, and currently the main opposition party. It is a Christian Democratic party; the current Party Leader is Francis Fonseca....
, the search was on for new symbols of Belizean identity. The PUP had defied the colonial order by singing "God Bless America
God Bless America
"God Bless America" is an American patriotic song written by Irving Berlin in 1918 and revised by him in 1938. The later version has notably been recorded by Kate Smith, becoming her signature song ....
" instead of the royal anthem "God Save the King" (or Queen). At independence, the ruling PUP named the anthem Belize's official one and played it at emotional independence ceremonies on September 21. Most Belizeans agreed with the choice but lamented that it had not been put to a vote of Belizean residents.
Common complaints since
The anthem has come under fire from critics who charge that its language is archaic and does not appeal to a new generation of Belizeans who are in any case too young to remember Samuel Haynes. Some women have argued that the anthem is male-centric; witness the second line, "Our manhood we pledge to thy liberty," and the chorus' images of war, a mostly male occupation. Nationalist writers have argued that references to the Baymen are too slighting of the multi-ethnicity of Belize today and have proposed a number of replacements. The most recent complaint of this nature was leveled by MayaMaya peoples
The Maya people constitute a diverse range of the Native American people of southern Mexico and northern Central America. The overarching term "Maya" is a collective designation to include the peoples of the region who share some degree of cultural and linguistic heritage; however, the term...
-Mestizo
Mestizo
Mestizo is a term traditionally used in Latin America, Philippines and Spain for people of mixed European and Native American heritage or descent...
born correspondent Clinton Luna, who suggested that the phrase "sons of the Belizean soil" should replace "sons' of the Baymen's clan" in the chorus in recent issues of the Amandala
Amandala
Amandala is a Belizean tabloid newspaper; published twice weekly, it is considered the "most widely circulated newspaper in Belize." It was established on August 13, 1969 as the chief spreadsheet for the United Black Association for Development...
weekly newspaper. The newspaper itself has previously argued to the same effect. However, Amandala contributor Henry Gordon countered in a later issue that nothing in the anthem represents any sort of bias to any ethnic group in Belize.
Alternative anthems?
Some have argued for the striking down of "Land of the Free" and its replacement by more modern songs. This line of attack has subsided somewhat as more Belizeans have grown used to the anthem.Other uses
- Former Prime Minister George PriceGeorge Cadle PriceGeorge Cadle Price PC was the first Prime Minister of Belize and is considered to have been one of the principal architects of the country's independence, and is today referred to by many as "the Father of the Nation"....
toured the nation sometime in the early 2000s to promote the singing of the national anthem. He visited schools in rural areas and led children in singing the anthem. - Belize radio station Love FMLOVE FMLOVE FM is a Belize City-based radio station operating since February 14, 1993. It is part of RSV Media Center, whose chairman is Rene Villanueva Sr.It airs family-oriented programs and mature, contemporary style music.- History :...
's version of the anthem is sung by children of local primary school Grace Primary. Alternatively, a version is played featuring unknown male singers. Some other radio stations featured various singers or instrumental versions of the anthem at morning sign-on. - In author Zee EdgellZee EdgellZelma I. Edgell, better known as Zee Edgell, MBE, is a writer. She has had four of her novels published. She is an associate professor of English at Kent State University.-Biography:...
's Beka LambBeka LambBeka Lamb is the debut novel from Belizean writer Zee Edgell, published in 1982 as part of the Heinemann Caribbean Writers Series. It won the Fawcett Society Book Prize in 1983 and was one of the first novels from Belize to gain international recognition. Deals with social insecurity, racial...
, the title characterBeka Lamb (character)Beka Lamb is the title character of Beka Lamb, a novel by Zee Edgell.- Birth and family :Beka Lamb is born into a middle class Belizean family. She lives with her mother, Lilla Lamb, her father, Bill Lamb, her grandmother, Miss Ivy and her brothers, Chuku and Zandy. The Lamb family was one of the...
and her friend Toycie QualoToycie QualoToycie Qualo is a secondary character in the novel Beka Lamb by Zee Edgell. She is the best friend of main character Beka Lamb and girlfriend of Emilio Villanueva.- Education :...
sing the full version of the original song, Land of the Gods (of which the two opening and closing lines are mentioned in the story), while parodying the political meetings then being held by the PIP (itself a parody of the PUP) in Belize CityBelize CityBelize City is the largest city in the Central American nation of Belize. Unofficial estimates place the population of Belize City at 70,000 or more. It is located at the mouth of the Belize River on the coast of the Caribbean. The city is the country's principal port and its financial and...
. Edgell acknowledged permission to use the song at the front of the book. - The anthem was prominently featured in demonstrations in Belize in 20052005 Belize unrestThe 2005 protests in Belize are two separate but related incidents of civil unrest in the Central American nation, occurring in January and April.- January 2005 budget protests :...
. - Belizeans normally stand at attention facing forward, headgear off, while singing or facing someone singing the national anthem.