English: The Song of Dessalines | |
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National anthem of Haiti | |
Lyrics | Justin Lhérisson, 1903 |
Music | Nicolas Geffrard, 1903 |
Adopted | January 1, 1904 |
Audio sample | |
U.S. Navy Band instrumental version (one verse) |
"La Dessalinienne" (French pronunciation: [la dɛs.salinjɛn]; Haitian Creole: "Desalinyèn"; English: "The Dessalines Song") is the national anthem of Haiti. This march was written by Justin Lhérisson and composed by Nicolas Geffrard. [1] [2]
"La Dessalinienne" is named in honor of Haiti's revolutionary leader and first ruler Jean-Jacques Dessalines. [3] The title was suggested by historian Clément Lanier. [4]
To commemorate the 100th anniversary of the Haitian Revolution, a competition was held for a national anthem in 1903. The poetic words of Justin Lhérisson and martial composition of Nicolas Geffrard won over the judges, [5] who preferred it to "L'Artibonitienne" by Capois diplomat Louis Edouard Pouget. [4]
The anthem was premiered at an October 1903 celebration of the Armée Indigène's entry into Port-au-Prince organised by the Association du Petit Théâtre. [4] It was sung by Auguste de Pradines, also known as Kandjo. [6]: 47 The text and music were printed at Bernard's in Port-au-Prince and distributed throughout the country during the week. [4] It was officially adopted as the national anthem in 1904. [5]
As a one-verse rendition can be relatively short, a common way to lengthen a performance is to perform an abridged arrangement consisting of the first verse immediately followed by the last. [1]
French lyrics (official) [7] [8] | English translation |
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I |
I |
A Haitian Creole version was created by Raymond A. Moise, and Haitian singer Ansy Dérose (1934–1998) helped popularize it in 1980. Although it became widely accepted, it is not official. [1] [9]
Haitian Creole lyrics (unofficial) [9] [10] [11] | IPA transcription [a] | English translation |
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I |
1 |
I |