I Heard My Country Calling
National anthem of Satavia | |
| Lyrics | Sir Lucius Goodhue, 1934 |
|---|---|
| Music | Adolphhus von Holst, 1917 |
| Adopted | 1936[1] |
| Readopted | 1976[1] |
I Heard My Country Calling is the national anthem of Satavia. The lyrics were originally written by Estmero-Satavian diplomat and colonial administrator Sir Lucius Goodhue in 1934 following his return to Satavia after the end of the Occupation of Satavia by Nuvanian forces during the Great War. Goodhue wrote the lyrics originally as a poem, but after listening to a performance of Adolphhus von Holst's Planets, chose to set the words to music as a hymn. The Satavian government chose the song as the new national anthem, replacing Satavians Arise and God Save the King, both of which were heavily associated with the Estmerish Empire and monarchy. Despite a 38-year period from 1939 to 1976 where Die Stem van Satavia was the national anthem, the government chose to revert to the original anthem so as to avoid the connotations associated with the song.
Whilst the anthem is sometimes sung in Asteriaans, officially there remains only the original Estmerish text.
Lyrics
The first and second verses are usually sung, whilst the third verse is often omitted. At state events, all three verses are sung; meanwhile, at sporting events, only the first verse is usually sung.
I heard my country calling, away across the sea,
Across the waste of waters, she calls and calls to me.
Her sword is girded at her side, her helmet on her head,
And around her feet are lying the dying and the dead;
I hear the noise of battle, the thunder of her guns;
I haste to thee, my mother, a son among thy sons.
I vow to thee, my country, all earthly things above,
Entire and whole and perfect, the service of my love;
The love that asks no questions, the love that stands the test,
That lays upon the altar the dearest and the best;
The love that never falters, the love that pays the price,
The love that makes undaunted the final sacrifice.
And there's another country, I've heard of long ago,
Most dear to them that love her, most great to them that know;
We may not count her armies, we may not see her King;
Her fortress is a faithful heart, her pride is suffering;
And soul by soul and silently her shining bounds increase,
And her ways are ways of gentleness, and all her paths are peace.
See Also
Notes
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Adopted in 1936 upon Satavian independence (replacing Satavians Arise) but was relinquished in 1939 and replaced by Die Stem van Satavia before being re-adopted in 1976