"" (; ht, "Desalinyèn"; en, "The Dessalines Song") is the
national anthem
A national anthem is a patriotic musical composition symbolizing and evoking eulogies of the history and traditions of a country or nation. The majority of national anthems are marches or hymns in style. American, Central Asian, and Europea ...
of
Haiti. It was written by
Justin Lhérisson and composed by
Nicolas Geffrard.
Etymology
"La Dessalinienne" is named in honor of Haiti's revolutionary leader and first ruler
Jean-Jacques Dessalines.
The title was suggested by historian Clément Lanier.
History
To commemorate the 100th anniversary of the
Haitian Revolution, a competition was held for a national anthem in 1903. The poetic words of
Justin Lhérisson and martial composition of
Nicolas Geffrard won over the judges,
who preferred it to "L'Artibonitienne" by
Capois diplomat Louis Edouard Pouget.
The anthem was premiered at an October 1903 celebration of the
Armée Indigène's entry into
Port-au-Prince organised by the Association du Petit Théâtre.
It was sung by
Auguste de Pradines
Auguste Linstant de Pradines, also known as August de Pradines, Ti Candio or Kandjo (10 September 1879 – October 1947) was an influential Haitian musician who largely created the archetype of the Haitian troubadour.
Over nearly five decades, d ...
, also known as Kandjo.
The text and music were printed at Bernard's in Port-au-Prince and distributed throughout the country during the week.
It was officially adopted as the national anthem in 1904.
Lyrics
As a one-verse rendition can be relatively short, a common way to lengthen a performance is to perform an abridged arrangement consisting of the first verse immediately followed by the last.
French lyrics
Haitian Creole lyrics
A
Haitian Creole version was created by Raymond A. Moise, and Haitian singer Ansy Dérose (1934–1998) helped popularize it in 1980. Although it became widely accepted, it is not official.
See also
*
Quand nos Aïeux brisèrent leurs entraves
*
Flag of Haiti
The flag of Haiti (Haitian French, French: , ht, drapo Ayiti) is the national flag of the Haiti, Republic of Haiti. It is a Bicolour (flag), bicolour flag featuring two horizontal bands coloured blue and red, emblazoned by a white rectangular p ...
*
Haïti Chérie
"Haïti Chérie" (: ''Dear Haiti'') is a traditional patriotic song of Haiti of a poem written by Othello Bayard that was initially called it ''Souvenir d'Haïti'' ("Memory of Haiti") and composed to music in 1925. It is widely considered as a s ...
*
Music of Haiti
The music of Haiti combines a wide range of influences drawn from the many people who have settled on this Caribbean island. It reflects French, African rhythms, Spanish elements and others who have inhabited the island of Hispaniola and minor na ...
Notes
References
External links
"La Dessalinienne" (mp3)
{{DEFAULTSORT:Dessalinienne, La
North American anthems
National symbols of Haiti
1904 compositions
Haitian songs
French-language songs
National anthems
National anthem compositions in D-flat major