Liberia's National Anthem - Comments by Stuart & Neil McKinlay

“All Hail, Liberia, Hail!” is the Liberian national anthem. Its majestic lyrics were written by

President Daniel Bashiel Warner (1815–1880, the third president of Liberia). The noble music was composed by Olmstead Luca (1826–1869). It became the official national anthem in 1847, the year of Liberia’s independence.

Stuart McKinlay – It is a thing of marvel to me, living in a country with nothing much in global terms to complain about, that other countries have the simple dignity of an undisputed national anthem, whereas ours are riven with ambiguity and resentment. God Save the Queen has positive and negative connotations in matters of history, hierarchy, individual national niceties within the union of kingdoms, uneasy seats of government, and even the prejudice of accents. Flower of Scotland is a fine old folk song worthy of closing a sentimental evening of lachrymose nostalgia, but hardly more. Both could start a fight, or at least fail to unite any assembly of subjects/citizens in one voice of common grace and aspiration. It must be sublime to celebrate the distinction of your country's place in the world without daggers drawn. If Liberia can do that, it stands as a rebuke to us all.

Neil McKinlay – Liberia means Liberty, founded by free African-Americans and freed slaves. Their stirring national anthem has freedom written into every note. “This glorious land of liberty Shall long be ours”, “We’ll shout the freedom Of a race benighted”. The founders of Liberia knew what they were talking about, what they were singing about. No mumbling, fumbling and forgetting the words as other nations do. They sang from the heart. They meant every word of it! I love the way the following words seem to climb up to the top of the mountain of hope and while there at the top note they pause a while to breathe in the panoramic view of freedom. Ten beats holding the same note and same word “powers”. Musical madness. But it works! “And mighty be her powers…” Yes, “Long live Liberia, happy land! A home of glorious liberty, By God’s command!”

All hail, Liberia, hail!
All hail, Liberia, hail!

This glorious land of liberty
Shall long be ours.

Though new her name,
Green be her fame,
And mighty be her powers,

Though new her name,
Green be her fame,
And mighty be her powers,

And mighty be her powers,
And mighty be her powers,

In joy and gladness
With our hearts united,
We’ll shout the freedom
Of a race benighted,
Long live Liberia, happy land!
A home of glorious liberty,
By God’s command!
A home of glorious liberty,
By God’s command!

All hail, Liberia, hail!
All hail, Liberia, hail!

In union strong success is sure
We cannot fail!
With God above
Our rights to prove

We will o’er all prevail,
We will o’er all prevail,
We will o’er all prevail,

With heart and hand
Our country's cause defending
We’ll meet the foe
With valor unpretending.

Long live Liberia, happy land!
A home of glorious liberty,
By God’s command!
A home of glorious liberty,

By God’s command.

(Watch video and hear the anthem at: 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SKfU4Dz2V4s&feature=youtu.be&fbclid=IwAR1HcbNjvI4f5t0TTmePWBUsWJli3rs-eIxM220tOUjuSBHVeyl7S2NOBx4