Island Heritage - The Barbados National Anthem
September 11, 1966 saw the initiation of a competition to select Barbados' National Anthem. This competition was broken into two parts: part one, the selection of the words, and part two, the selection of the music. A committee was formed to oversee the competition and subsequently two winners were chosen - Mr. C. Van Roland Edwards and Mr. Irving Burgie. Mr. Edwards, a renown composer with no formal training, was awarded for his masterful composition while Mr. Burgie, an American singer, guitarist, lyricist and composer born to a Barbadian mother, won the prize for the lyrics . The national anthem was heard for the first time at 6:00pm November 15th 1966 via CBC and Barbados Rediffusion.
MUSIC
LYRICS
In plenty and in time of need
When this fair land was young
Our brave forefathers sowed the seed
From which our pride has sprung
A pride that makes no wanton boast
Of what it has withstood
That binds our hearts from coast to coast
The pride of nationhood
Chorus
We loyal sons and daughters all
Do hereby make it known
These fields and hills beyond recall
Are now our very own
We write our names on history's page
With expectations great
Strict guardians of our heritage
Firm craftsmen of our fate
The Lord has been the people's guide
For past three hundred years
With Him still on the people's side
We have no doubts or fears
Upward and onward we shall go,
Inspired, exulting, free,
And greater will our nation grow
In strength and unity
