We have a collection of 25 arrangements for Tanzanian National Anthem
What African musical traditions influenced Tanzania's national anthem? Learn!
Anthems are often powerful expressions of national identity, pride, and unity. Here are some interesting facts about anthems:
Oldest National Anthem: The oldest national anthem in the world is the Dutch anthem, "Het Wilhelmus." It was written between 1568 and 1572, making it over 450 years old.
Longest National Anthem: Greece has the longest national anthem in terms of lyrics. The Greek national anthem, "Hymn to Liberty" (or "Ymnos eis tin Eleftherian" in Greek), has 158 stanzas, though only the first and last are usually performed.
No Official Anthem: Some countries, like Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, and San Marino, do not have official national anthems. In these cases, other songs or compositions may be used on official occasions.
Anthem Without Words: The national anthem of Bosnia and Herzegovina, titled "Intergalactic Anthem," is unique as it does not have any lyrics. It was adopted in 1999 and is one of the few national anthems in the world without words.
Multiple Anthems: Some countries have more than one official national anthem. For example, New Zealand has two anthems, "God Defend New Zealand" and "God Save the Queen," both of which have equal status.
Royal Connection: "God Save the Queen/King" is a widely used anthem with various lyrics and titles. It is the national anthem of the United Kingdom and the royal anthem of several Commonwealth realms. The melody has been used for other national anthems, including that of the United States Marine Corps.
Controversial Anthems: Some national anthems have faced controversy due to their lyrics or associations. For example, the South African national anthem, "Nkosi Sikelel' iAfrika," was associated with the anti-apartheid movement and was later adopted as part of the post-apartheid national anthem.
Instrumental Anthems: Several countries, including Spain and Kosovo, have anthems without official lyrics. In these cases, the anthem is performed as an instrumental piece on official occasions.
International Anthem: The song "Ode to Joy," from Beethoven's Symphony No. 9, is sometimes considered an anthem for Europe. It has been used in various official European Union events and is seen as a symbol of European unity.
Anthems in Space: In 2016, the French astronaut Thomas Pesquet played the French national anthem, "La Marseillaise," on the International Space Station to mark Bastille Day. This was the first time a national anthem was played in space.