National Song (Montserrat)

Motherland
Coat of arms of Montserrat

National anthem of  Montserrat
LyricsHoward Fergus
Edited by Dominick Archer
MusicGeorge Irish
Adopted2013
Audio sample
Digital instrumental version (one verse and chorus)
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"Motherland" is the national song of the British overseas territory of Montserrat. It was composed by academic J. A. George Irish and written by former acting Governor of Montserrat Sir Howard A. Fergus. "Motherland" was officially passed into law by the Legislative Assembly of Montserrat as the Territorial Song of Montserrat in 2014, after an extensive public search for a national song through open participation by Montserratians at home and abroad.

J. A. George Irish and Howard A. Fergus were the first two recipients of Montserrat's historic national award of the Order of Excellence, the highest honour granted to living citizens for their distinguished careers in education and community leadership. The official rendition submitted to the government for its archives and public usage is performed by the international artist Ayanna Irish.

Lyrics

Words of the song in English

Oh Montserrat, dear Motherland
Your children raise your standard high.
In toil and tears to serve you well,
A crowning jewel from God’s hand.

Chorus:
Oh Montserrat, by nature blest
To you your children sing
Come well or woe, come friend or foe
To you your people cling.

Rise up and make our country great
With art and skill and sacrifice
With masque and drum we celebrate,
Triumphant masters of our faith

Chorus

We sing our land in harmony
May God be our eternal God
And make Montserrat a house of hope,
A haven in the Carib Sea.

Chorus

No pestilence shall mar your shore
No fount of sadness overwhelm
A people striving under God
Their spirits free forevermore

Chorus

No pestilence pollutes her shore
No fount of sadness overwhelm
A people striving under God
Their spirits free forever more.

Chorus[1]

References

  1. ↑ "Motherland (Lyrics)" (PDF). Government of Montserrat. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2015-09-24. Retrieved 2022-02-08.