O Land of Beauty!

Last updated
O Land of Beauty!

National anthem of Saint Kitts and Nevis
Also known asNational Anthem of the Federation of Saint Christopher and Nevis
LyricsKenrick Georges
MusicKenrick Georges
Adopted1983
Audio sample
U.S. Navy Band instrumental version

"O Land of Beauty!" is the national anthem of the Federation of Saint Kitts and Nevis. Written and composed by Kenrick Georges, it was officially adopted as the national anthem of the newly independent nation in 1983, when the federation received its independence from the United Kingdom. [1]

Contents

History

In February 1983, the government of Saint Kitts and Nevis announced a competition to find a national anthem and requested submissions. The announcement appeared in The Democrat Newspaper, and the deadline was 31 March 1983 at 4:00 pm. [2]

Kenrick Georges (1955–2019 [3] ), a trumpeter and arranger for a popular brass band, [4] decided to compose a submission on the last day at 2:00 am. He completed the composition in four hours. An hour later, he took it to Greenlands piano teacher Mrs. Gumbs to record a piano performance of it. After a cassette recording was made, Georges submitted it the same day. [2]

On 3 June 1983, Chairperson of the National Anthem Sub-Committee Pamela Wall announced the winner of the competition. Out of 45 entries, Georges' entry had won, with the committee feeling that it would "stand the test of time." The three other members of the Sub-Committee were Stanley Amory, Lorna Edwards and Lilith Kelsick. [2]

On Saint Kitts and Nevis's first independence day, 19 September 1983, Prime Minister Kennedy Simmonds awarded Georges for his contribution as composer and writer of the national anthem. Georges stated in a 2008 interview that he considered writing the anthem the high point of his musical career. He stated that the idea behind the lyrics was to call for citizens to see the country "for the best of what it was and maintain that as we go along." He described the overall concept as, "Let’s keep St. Kitts and Nevis as it is with respect to the best of what we have between us." [2]

Lyrics

I
O Land of Beauty!
Our country where peace abounds,
Thy children stand free
On the strength of will and love.
With God in all our struggles,
Saint Kitts and Nevis be,
A nation bound together,
With a common destiny.

II
As stalwarts we stand,
For justice and liberty.
With wisdom and truth,
We will serve and honour thee.
No sword nor spear can conquer,
For God will sure defend.
His blessings shall forever,
To posterity extend. [5] [6]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nevis</span> Island in the Caribbean Sea

Nevis is a small island in the Caribbean Sea that forms part of the inner arc of the Leeward Islands chain of the West Indies. Nevis and the neighbouring island of Saint Kitts constitute the Federation of Saint Kitts and Nevis, a singular nation state. Nevis is located near the northern end of the Lesser Antilles archipelago about 350 kilometres (220 mi) east-southeast of Puerto Rico and 80 kilometres (50 mi) west of Antigua. Its area is 93 square kilometres (36 sq mi) and the capital is Charlestown.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Saint Kitts and Nevis</span> Country in the West Indies

Saint Kitts and Nevis, officially the Federation of Saint Christopher and Nevis, is an island country and microstate consisting of the two islands of Saint Kitts and Nevis, both located in the West Indies, in the Leeward Islands chain of the Lesser Antilles. With 261 square kilometres (101 sq mi) of territory, and roughly 50,000 inhabitants, it is the smallest sovereign state in the Western Hemisphere, in both area and population, as well as the world's smallest sovereign federation. The country is a Commonwealth realm, with Charles III as King and head of state. It is the only sovereign federation in the Caribbean.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">History of Saint Kitts and Nevis</span> Aspect of history

Saint Kitts and Nevis have one of the longest written histories in the Caribbean, both islands being among Spain's and England's first colonies in the archipelago. Despite being only two miles apart and quite diminutive in size, Saint Kitts and Nevis were widely recognized as being separate entities with distinct identities until they were forcibly united in the late 19th century.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Politics of Saint Kitts and Nevis</span>

The politics of Saint Kitts and Nevis takes place in the framework of a federal parliamentary democracy. Saint Kitts and Nevis is an independent Commonwealth realm with Charles III as its head of state, viceregally represented by a Governor-General. He acts on the advice of the prime minister, who is the majority party leader in the National Assembly, and who, with a cabinet, conducts affairs of state.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Saint Kitts</span> Island in the West Indies; part of the Federation of St. Kitts and Nevis

Saint Kitts, officially Saint Christopher, is an island in the West Indies. The west side of the island borders the Caribbean Sea, and the eastern coast faces the Atlantic Ocean. Saint Kitts and the neighbouring island of Nevis constitute one country: the Federation of Saint Kitts and Nevis. Saint Kitts and Nevis are separated by a shallow 3-kilometre (2 mi) channel known as "The Narrows".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Basseterre</span> Capital of Saint Kitts and Nevis

Basseterre is the capital and largest city of Saint Kitts and Nevis with an estimated population of 14,000 in 2018. Geographically, the Basseterre port is located at 17°18′N62°44′W, on the south western coast of Saint Kitts Island, and it is one of the chief commercial depots of the Leeward Islands. The city lies within Saint George Basseterre Parish.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Denzil Douglas</span> 2nd Prime Minister of Saint Kitts and Nevis

Denzil Llewellyn Douglas is a Saint Kittitian and Nevisian politician and the longest-serving prime minister of Saint Kitts and Nevis, in office from 1995 to 2015. Subsequently he has been Leader of the Opposition. He was the leader of the Saint Kitts and Nevis Labour Party (SKNLP) from 1989 to 2021.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Music of Saint Kitts and Nevis</span>

The music of Saint Kitts and Nevis is known for a number of musical celebrations including Carnival. The last week in June features the St Kitts Music Festival, while the week-long Culturama on Nevis lasts from the end of July into early August.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Saint Christopher-Nevis-Anguilla</span> 1882–1983 British colony in the Caribbean Sea

Saint Christopher-Nevis-Anguilla was a British colony in the West Indies from 1882 to 1983, consisting of the islands of Anguilla, Nevis, and Saint Christopher. From 1882 to 1951, and again from 1980, the colony was known simply as Saint Christopher and Nevis. Saint Christopher and Nevis gained independence in 1983 as the Federation of Saint Kitts and Nevis, while Anguilla would remain a British overseas territory.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">National Assembly (Saint Kitts and Nevis)</span>

The National Assembly and the King of Saint Christopher and Nevis jointly make up the legislature of Saint Kitts and Nevis.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">West Indies Associated States</span> 1967–1983 group of British-associated Caribbean island states

West Indies Associated States was the collective name for a number of islands in the Eastern Caribbean whose status changed from being British colonies to states in free association with the United Kingdom in 1967. These states were Antigua, Dominica, Grenada, Saint Christopher-Nevis-Anguilla, Saint Lucia, and Saint Vincent.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kennedy Simmonds</span> Prime Minister of Saint Kitts and Nevis

Sir Kennedy Alphonse Simmonds, KCMG, is a Saint Kittitian and Nevisian politician who served as the first prime minister of Saint Kitts and Nevis from 1983 to 1995.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Monarchy of Saint Kitts and Nevis</span> Constitutional monarchy as a system of government in Saint Kitts and Nevis

The monarchy of Saint Kitts and Nevis is a system of government in which a hereditary monarch is the sovereign and head of state of Saint Kitts and Nevis. The current monarch of Saint Kitts and Nevis, since 8 September 2022, is King Charles III. As sovereign, he is the personal embodiment of the Crown of Saint Kitts and Nevis. Although the person of the sovereign is equally shared with 14 other independent countries within the Commonwealth of Nations, each country's monarchy is separate and legally distinct. As a result, the current monarch is officially titled King of Saint Christopher and Nevis and, in this capacity, he and other members of the royal family undertake public and private functions domestically and abroad as representatives of Saint Kitts and Nevis. However, the King is the only member of the royal family with any constitutional role.

Konris Maynard, or King Konris born 8 July 1983 on the island of St. Kitts, is most notable for having won the Saint Kitts and Nevis National Calypso Show four times in succession, a record only he holds. Maynard also won a fifth crown, to celebrate the Silver Jubilee of the Independence of Saint Kitts and Nevis.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Republic of Anguilla</span> 1967–1969 unrecognised state in the Caribbean

The Republic of Anguilla was a short-lived, unrecognised independent state on the island of Anguilla. It lasted from 11 July 1967 until 19 March 1969, when British control was re-established.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Constitution of Saint Kitts and Nevis</span> Constitution of Saint Kitts and Nevis

The Constitution of Saint Kitts and Nevis was adopted on 23 June 1983 and took effect when the country became independent on 19 September 1983. It consists of 11 chapters and various schedules, which establish the rights, responsibilities and definition of the citizens of the federation. It also provides the form and structure of government, and enumerates the powers of the different branches of government. Its treatment of the island of Nevis is rather unusual among federated nations.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">India–Saint Kitts and Nevis relations</span> Bilateral relations

India–Saint Kitts and Nevis relations refers to the international relations that exist between India and Saint Kitts and Nevis. The High Commission of India in Georgetown, Guyana is concurrently accredited to Saint Kitts and Nevis. India opened its Honorary Consulate in Basseterre in August 2008.

This page details the match results and statistics of the Saint Kitts and Nevis national football team.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2022 Saint Kitts and Nevis general election</span>

Snap general elections were held in Saint Kitts and Nevis on 5 August 2022, following the decision of incumbent prime minister Timothy Harris to dissolve the parliament on 11 May. Snap elections are constitutionally required within ninety days following the dissolution of parliament.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Deputy Prime Minister of Saint Kitts and Nevis</span>

The Deputy Prime Minister of Saint Kitts and Nevis is an elected representative in the National Assembly who is appointed by the Governor General on the advice of the Prime Minister. Historically, the person appointed to the position of Deputy Prime Minister is usually the Deputy Leader of the political party that holds the majority of seats in the national assembly or the Leader of another party in the case of a coalition government. The instrument of appointment of the Deputy Prime Minister can be found in the Constitution of St. Christopher and Nevis. The Deputy Prime Minister appointment can be revoked by the Governor General on the advice of the Prime Minister of Saint Kitts and Nevis.

References

  1. "St. Kitts and Nevis". nationalanthems.info. Retrieved 24 April 2016.
  2. 1 2 3 4 "PM Pays Tribute to Kenrick Georges at Memorial Service in Brooklyn". The St Kitts Nevis Observer. 2019-09-30. Retrieved 2022-02-28.
  3. Inc, The Caribbean Camera (2019-08-28). "Kenrick Georges, composer of St Kitts-Nevis anthem, dead at 64". The Caribbean Camera. Retrieved 2022-02-28.{{cite web}}: |last= has generic name (help)
  4. "Kenrick Georges Composer and Arranger of St. Kitts and Nevis National Anthem Passes". SKN PULSE. 2019-08-26. Retrieved 2022-02-28.
  5. "National Symbols". Government of St. Kitts & Nevis. Retrieved 2022-02-28.
  6. St. Christopher and Nevis: Independence Magazine, 19th September, 1983. 1983. p. 26.