The National Anthem of South Africa

This is a music video only and the most beautiful music!

This is the previous national anthem of South Africa, which still plays a part in our current national anthem and our history. This anthem is the most beautiful in the world. No other country’s anthem describes a country like this one. This is still the most popular to many South Africans as it came up at the top in 2013 as the most popular song for those who really see this as a poem that describes our country and its beauty.

This poem has nothing to do with Apartheid – which is something the British instilled in South Africa  – and has brought the peoples of South Africa in the past – before the so-called Apartheid – together and still does so too. 

On Friday 31st May 1918, C J Langenhoven wrote this poem. First, he had only written the first three stanzas and the public then asked him for a 4th stanza. It was first published in 1921. Langenhoven then asked ML De Villiers to compose the music to it.

The anthem was sung the first time on the 31st May 1928 during an official event. In 1932 a competition was written out by the FAK (Federation of Afrikaans Culture) and both the Afrikaans as well as the English public voted for this poem.

On the 2nd May 1957 this poem became the official anthem. On the 11th June 1957, the author’s right was transferred to the government and the following people attended: Langenhoven’s daughter, Engela Brummer, his bets vriend, Sarah Goldblatt and government officials: Adv CR Swart, TE Donges and Prime Minister,  Adv JG Strydom. DJ Opperman, one of South Africa’s national poets, described the anthem as a ‘swear of oath and prayer‘ by South Africans. 

The Call of South Africa

Ringing out from our blue heavens, from our deep seas breaking round;
Over everlasting mountains where the echoing crags resound;
From our plains where creaking wagons cut their trails into the earth Calls
the spirit of our Country, of the land that gave us birth.
At thy call we shall not falter, firm and steadfast we shall stand,
At thy will to live or perish, O South Africa, dear land.

In our body and our spirit, in our inmost heart held fast;
In the promise of our future and the glory of our past;
In our will, our work, our striving, from the cradle to the grave
There’s no land that shares our loving, and no bond that can enslave.
Thou hast borne us and we know thee. May our deeds to all proclaim
Our enduring love and service to thy honour and thy name.

In the golden warmth of summer, in the chill of winter’s air,
In the surging life of springtime, in the autumn of despair;
When the wedding bells are chiming or when those we love depart,
Thou dost know us for thy children and dost take us to thy heart.
Loudly peals the answering chorus: We are thine, and we shall stand,
Be it life or death, to answer to thy call, beloved land.

In Thy power, Almighty, trusting, did our fathers build of old;
Strengthen then, O Lord, their children to defend, to love, to hold –
That the heritage they gave us for our children yet may be:
Bondsmen only to the Highest and before the whole world free.
As our fathers trusted humbly, teach us, Lord, to trust Thee still :
Guard our land and guide our people in Thy way to do Thy will.

CJ Langenhoven

DIE STEM VAN SUID-AFRIKA

Uit die blou van onse hemel, uit die diepte van ons see,
Oor ons ewige gebergtes waar die kranse antwoord gee,
Deur ons ver-verlate vlaktes met die kreun van ossewa.
Ruis die stem van ons geliefde, van ons land Suid-Afrika.
Ons sal antwoord op jou roepstem, ons sal offer wat jy vra:
Ons sal lewe, ons sal sterwe – ons vir jou, Suid-Afrika.

In die merg van ons gebeente, in ons hart en siel en gees,
In ons roem op ons verlede, in ons hoop op wat sal wees,
In ons wil en werk en wandel, van ons wieg tot aan ons graf.
Dee! geen ander land ons Iiefde, trek geen ander trou ons af.
Vaderland! ons sal die adel van jou naam met ere dra:
Waar en trou as Afrikaners – kinders van Suid-Afrika.

In die songloed van ons somer, in ons winternag se kou,
In die lente van ons liefde, in die Ianfer van ons rou,
By die klink van huw’liks-klokkies, by die kluitklap op die kis.
Streel jou stem ons nooit verniet nie, weet jy waar jou kinders is.
Op jou roep se ons nooit nee nie, se ons altyd, altyd ja:
Om te lewe, om te sterwe – ja, ons kom, Suid-Afrika.

Op U Almag vas vertrouend het ons vadere gebou:
Skenk ook ons die krag, o Here! om te handhaaf en te hou.
Dat die erwe van ons vaad’re vir ons kinders erwe bly:
Knegte van die Allerhoogste, teen die hele wereld vry.
Soos ons vadere vertrou het, leer ook ons vertrou, o Heer –
Met ons land en met ons nasie sal dit wei wees, God regeer.

CJ Langenhoven