The national anthem has been chosen. It will be heard officially for the first time on August 6 to mark the country's independence. It was written by the Reverend Hugh Sherlock and from music composed by Robert Lightbourne, minister of trade and industry.

Published Friday, July 20, 1962

House gives unanimous approval ...

National Anthem decided; written, composed, arranged by Jamaicans

Gov't plans drive to popularise it

THE National Anthem of an Independent Jamaica has been finally chosen. Yesterday afternoon, the House of Representatives made the decision and gave its unanimous approval of the music written and composed by Jamaicans and arranged by Jamaicans.

In doing so, the House rejected the tune with words offered by Warrant Officer E.H. Wade, British-born bandmaster of the West India Regiment Band, which members had agreed at an informal meeting last month should be put forward as the National Anthem.

The National Anthem, which will be sung officially for the first time when Jamaica becomes independent on August 6, is from words written by the Reverend Hugh Sherlock and from music composed by Robert Lightbourne, minister of trade and industry, as put together and arranged by Mr Mapletoft Poulle, Kingston solicitor and musician, and Mrs Poulle.

The selection represents a victory for the joint committee of the House of Representatives headed by the Premier, Sir Alexander Bustamante, which had previously selected the anthem that won favour with the House yesterday.

During a brief discussion to a committee, yesterday, members of the House expressed the view that this anthem had been presented under unfavourable conditions when they heard it originally in the lounge of the House.

But before the sitting began, members of both Chambers of the Legislature heard the two anthems at St George’s Church, Kingston. The performance was by the Police Band as well as by an organist and singers.

Norman Manley, leader of the Opposition, complained during the discussion in committee that the procedure that took the matter of the anthem out of the hands of the House in formal session into other meetings was unfortunate and irregular.

However, he had nothing but praise for the anthem that the House selected, a point echoed by Edward Seaga, minister of development and welfare, who emphasised that he had always been for it.

Seaga said that the Government proposed to put into effect a crash programme to popularise the anthem before August 6.

Florizel Glasspole, opposition M.H.R. for Kingston Eastern, who, like Seaga, was a member of the joint committee, regarded the editorial in yesterday’s Gleaner on the subject as unfortunate.

He did not want it to go out that the other anthem had not been chosen because the composer was an Englishman. He urged some sort of monetary compensation for Wade because of his effort and expressed the hope that the Wade anthem would become in due course a national song.

The House then gave its approval to the Anthem.

THE WORDS

Eternal Father bless our land,

Guard her with Thy mighty hand,

Keep her free from evil powers,

Be her light through countless hours,

To our leaders Great Defender,

Grant true wisdom from above,

Justice, truth be ours forever,

Jamaica land we love,

Jamaica, Jamaica, Jamaica, land we love.

 Teach us true respect for all,

Stir response to duty’s call,

Strengthen us the weak to cherish,

Give us vision lest we perish,

Knowledge send us heavenly Father,

Grant true wisdom from above,

Justice, Truth be ours forever,

Jamaica land we love,

Jamaica, Jamaica, Jamaica land we love.

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