Debout Congolais
| English: Arise Congolese | |
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National anthem of  Democratic Republic of the Congo
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| Lyrics | Joseph Lutumba, 1960 |
| Music | Simon-Pierre Boka di Mpasi Londi, 1960 |
| Adopted | 1960 (independence) 1997 (reinstated) |
| Music sample | |
"Debout Congolais" (Arise Congolese) is the national anthem of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. It was first adopted in 1960[1] upon independence from Belgium, but was replaced by La Zaïroise when Congo changed its name to Zaire in 1971.[2] It was finally reinstated when Congo was reorganized in 1997. The words are by Joseph Lutumba and the music is by Simon-Pierre Boka di Mpasi Londi.
French lyrics
CHORALE
Debout Congolais,
Unis par le sort,
Unis dans l'effort pour l'indépendance,
Dressons nos fronts, longtemps courbés
Et pour de bon prenons le plus bel élan, dans la paix,
O peuple ardent, par le labeur, nous bâtirons un pays plus beau qu'avant, dans la paix.
VERSE
Citoyens, entonnez, l'hymne sacré de votre solidarité,
Fièrement, saluez, l'emblème d'or de votre souveraineté, Congo.
REFRAIN
Don béni (Congo) des aïeux (Congo),
O pays (Congo) bien aimé (Congo),
Nous peuplerons ton sol et nous assurerons ta grandeur.
(Trente juin) O doux soleil (trente juin) du trente juin,
(Jour sacré) Sois le témoin (jour sacré) de l'immortel, serment de liberté
Que nous léguons, à notre postérité, pour toujours.
English translation
CHOIR
Arise, Congolese,
United by fate,
United in the struggle for independence,
Let us hold up our heads, so long bowed,
And now, for good, let us keep moving boldly ahead, in peace.
Oh, ardent people, by hard work we shall build,
In peace, a country more beautiful than before.
VERSE
Countrymen, sing the sacred hymn of your solidarity,
Proudly salute the golden emblem of your sovereignty, Congo.
REFRAIN
Blessed gift (Congo) of our forefathers (Congo),
Oh beloved (Congo) country,
We shall people your soil and ensure your greatness.
(30 June) Oh gentle sun (30 June) of 30 June,
(Holy day) Be witness (holy day) of the immortal oath of freedom
That we pass on to our children forever.
Note: The words in parentheses are to be sung by a choir; the rest are to be sung by soloists.
References
External links
- Democratic Republic of the Congo: Debout Congolais - Audio of the national anthem of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, with information and lyrics
- http://www.nationalanthems.info/zre.htm - National anthems.info - "La Zaïroise" (the old hymn)
- http://www.nationalanthems.info/cd.htm National anthems.info - "Debout Congolaise"
- [1]
