Debout Congolais is the national anthem

National anthem

A national anthem is a generally patriotic musical composition that evokes and eulogizes the history, traditions and struggles of its people, recognized either by a nation's government as the official national song, or by convention through use by the people.- History :Anthems rose to prominence...

 of the Democratic Republic of the Congo

Democratic Republic of the Congo

The Democratic Republic of the Congo is a state located in Central Africa. It is the second largest country in Africa by area and the eleventh largest in the world...

. It was first adopted in 1960 upon independence but replaced in 1971 when the country became Zaire

Zaire

The Republic of Zaire was the name of the present Democratic Republic of the Congo between 27 October 1971 and 17 May 1997. The name of Zaire derives from the , itself an adaptation of the Kongo word nzere or nzadi, or "the river that swallows all rivers".-Self-proclaimed Father of the Nation:In...

. Then it was replaced by La Zaïroise

La Zaïroise

La Zaïroise by Joseph Lutumba and Simon-Pierre Boka Di Mpasi Londi was the national anthem of Zaïre from 1972 to 1997.-Original lyrics in French:...

. It was reinstated when Laurent Kabila came to power in 1997. The words are by Joseph Lutumba

Joseph Lutumba

Joseph Lutumba is a Congolose lyricist and the author of the Democratic Republic of the Congo's national anthem "Debout Congolais".- References :...

and the music is by Simon-Pierre Boka di Mpasi Londi.

French Lyrics

CHOIR

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.

External links

• 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"
• http://www.szbszig.atw.hu/democratic%20congo.mp3