God Defend New Zealand
God Defend New Zealand is one of the
national anthems of
New Zealand, together with
God Save the Queen. Although they both have equal status, only God Defend New Zealand is used, and most New Zealanders would be unaware that the country has two national anthems.\nThe
New Zealand Ministry for Culture and Heritage has responsibility for the national anthems.
History
The words for God Defend New Zealand were written as a poem in the 1870s by Thomas Bracken. A competition to compose music for the poem was held in 1876, with a prize of ten guineas. The winner of the competition was John Joseph Woods, who had composed the melody in a single sitting the evening after finding out about the competition.
The song became increasingly popular during the 19th century and early 20th century, and in 1940, the New Zealand government bought the copyright and made it New Zealand's national hymn in time for the centennial celebrations. In 1976, a petition was presented to parliament asking for it to be made the national anthem, and with the permission of Queen Elizabeth II, it became the country's second national anthem on November 21, 1977.
An alternative official arrangement for massed singing by Maxwell Fernie was announced by the Minister of Internal Affairs on June 1, 1978.
Lyrics
God Defend New Zealand has five verses, each in English and translated into Māori.\nCommonly, only the first verse is sung, either in English or in Māori, followed by same verse in the other language.\nThe second verse may also be sung, but the last three are rarely used.
\nGod Defend New Zealand\n\nGod of nations at Thy feet,
\nIn the bonds of love we meet,
\nHear our voices, we entreat,
\nGod defend our free land.
\nGuard Pacific's triple star,
\nFrom the shafts of strife and war,
\nMake her praises heard afar,
\nGod defend New Zealand.
Men of ev'ry creed and race,
\nGather here before Thy face,
\nAsking Thee to bless this place,
\nGod defend our free land.
\nFrom dissension, envy, hate,
\nAnd corruption guard our State,
\nMake our country good and great,
\nGod defend New Zealand.
Peace, not war, shall be our boast
\nBut, should foes assail our coast,
\nMake us then a mighty host,
\nGod defend our free land.
\nLord of battles, in Thy might,
\nPut our enemies to flight,
\nLet our cause be just and right,
\nGod defend New Zealand.
Let our love for Thee increase,
\nMay Thy blessings never cease,
\nGive us plenty, give us peace,
\nGod defend our free land.
\nFrom dishonour and from shame,
\nGuard our country's spotless name,
\nCrown her with immortal fame,
\nGod defend New Zealand.
May our mountains ever be,
\nFreedom's ramparts on the sea,
\nMake us faithful unto thee,
\nGod defend our free land.
\nGuide her in the nations' van,
\nPreaching love and truth to man,
\nWorking out Thy Glorious plan,
\nGod defend New Zealand.\n
Copyright on the English lyrics for God Defend New Zealand expired in 1948, fifty years after the death of the author.
At least two Māori translations have been made. The first by
Thomas H. Smith of Auckland, a judge in the Native Land Court, on request of governor
George Edward Grey in 1878, and the second by former Māori Language Commissioner, Professor Timoti S. Käretu, commissioned in 1979. This latter translation is under New Zealand Crown copyright until 2079 and is available at
http://www.mch.govt.nz/anthem/index.htm on the Ministry for Culture and Heritage's website.
External link
\n*MIDI file and sheet music
\n\n\n\n\n\nCategory:National anthems
