Did you know that the original national anthem ‘God Bless Fiji’ was composed by Michael Francis Alexander Prescott in 1928 with a borrowed tune from a 1911 hymn by Charles Austin Miles entitled Dwelling in Beulah Land.
The music was then adapted by the Royal Fiji Police Band superintendent and director of music, Viliame Bale, and adopted upon independence in 1970.
Here are the lyrics of the national anthem.
English version
Blessing grant oh God of nations on the isles of Fiji
As we stand united under noble banner blue
And we honour and defend the cause of freedom ever
Onward march together
God bless Fiji
Chorus
For Fiji, ever Fiji, let our voices ring with pride
For Fiji, ever Fiji, her name hail far and wide,
A land of freedom, hope and glory, to endure what ever befall
May God bless Fiji
Forever more!
Blessing grant, oh God of nations, on the isles of Fiji
Shores of golden sand and sunshine, happiness and song
Stand united, we of Fiji, fame and glory ever
Onward march together
God bless Fiji.
iTaukei version
Meda dau doka ka vinakata na vanua
E ra sa dau tiko kina na savasava
Rawa tu na gauna ni sautu na veilomani
Biu na i tovo tawa savasava
Chorus
Me bula ga ko Viti
Ka me toro ga ki liu
Me ra turaga vinaka ko ira na i liuliu
Me ra liutaki na tamata
E na veika vinaka
Me oti kina na i tovo ca
Me da dau doka ka vinakata na vanua
E ra sa dau tiko kina na savasava
Rawa tu na gauna ni sautu na veilomani
Me sa biu na i tovo tawa yaga
Bale ga vei kemuni na cauravou e Viti
Ni yavala me savasava na vanua
Ni kakua ni vosota na dukadukali
Ka me da sa qai biuta vakadua
Fijian Hindi version
He jagdishwar, kripa karo tum Fiji desh pe apne
Ahle watan hum teri sharan mein, teri dhwaja ke neehe
Ajaadi ki raksha aur samman sada hum karege
Sab milke badhte rahege
Sarwamangal Fiji
Chorus
Yeh Fiji, hamara Fiji
Hum sab mil gaate rahe
Yeh Fiji Hamara Fiji
Yeh naara lagate rahe
Dharti hai apni, azaadi, asha aur garva ki
Kripa rahe prabhu ki, Fiji par sarwada
