The original words to this anthem, adopted upon independence in 1957 and written by the composer Philip Gbeho, were changed upon the declaration of a republic in 1960, and when the government was overthrown six years later, the current lyrics were adopted after a contest was held for new lyrics.
Special thanks to: Reinhard Popp for the former lyrics.
The original words to this anthem, adopted upon independence in 1957 and written by the composer Philip Gbeho
1. Lift high the flag of Ghana, The gay star shining in the sky, Bright with the souls of our fathers, Beneath whose shade we'll live and die! Red for the blood of the heroes in the fight, Green for the precious farms of our birth-right, And linked with these the shining golden band That marks the richness of our Fatherland. 2. We'll live and die for Ghana, Our land of hope for ages to come! Shout it aloud, O Ghana, And beat it upon the drum! Come from the palm-lined shore, from the broad northern plain, From the farm and the forest, the mountain and mine. Your children sing with ancient minstrel lore: Freedom for ever, for evermore! 3. God be with us in Ghana And make our nation great and strong, Brave to defend for ever The cause of freesom and of right. For ever the flag of Ghana proudly flies In distant seas or else beneath our skies. Let peace and fellow-feeling be our might, And may our name be a radiant light. 4. This be our vow, O Ghana, To live as one, in unity, And in your strength, O Ghana, To build a new fraternity! Africa waits in the night of the clouded years For the spreading light that now appears To give us all a place beneath the sun: The destined ending of a task well done.
The Changed words to the anthem, adopted upon independence in 1957 and written by the composer Philip Gbeho
1. Hail the name of Ghana
Praise the heroes of our fight;
Raise in the sky her banner
Of Freedom, Hope and Might –
Hail our Nation's Founder for whom we pray;
Cherish his Faith from day to day;
Arise with joy, ye sons of Ghanaland,
And let Africa shine evermore.
2. Lift high the flag of Ghana,
The Lodestar shining in the skies,
Bright with the hope of our fathers
Alight with glory where it flies;
Make the flag of Ghana stand for right,
Let this ever be our constant might;
Arise with joy, ye sons of Ghanaland,
And let Africa shine evermore.
3. God be with us in Ghana
And make our nation great and strong;
Brave to defend her honour,
Against oppressor's wrong;
Where the flag of Ghana freely flies
That's where the way to freedom lies;
Arise with joy, ye sons of Ghanaland,
And let Africa shine evermore.
The Contest derived version of the Ghana Anthem after the overthrow, when the government was overthrown six years later, the current lyrics were adopted after a contest was held for new lyrics
English lyrics
1. God bless our homeland Ghana
And make our nation great and strong,
Bold to defend forever
The cause of Freedom and of Right;
Fill our hearts with true humility,
Make us cherish fearless honesty,
And help us to resist oppressors’ rule
With all our will and might evermore.
And help us to resist oppressors’ rule
With all our will and might evermore.
2. Hail to thy name, O Ghana,
To thee we make our solemn vow:
Steadfast to build together
A nation strong in Unity;
With our gifts of mind and strength of arm,
Whether night or day, in the midst of storm,
In ev’ry need, whate’er the call may be,
To serve thee, Ghana, now and evermore.
In ev’ry need, whate’er the call may be,
To serve thee, Ghana, now and evermore.
3. Raise high the flag of Ghana
And one with Africa advance;
Black star of hope and honor
To all who thirst for liberty;
Where the banner of Ghana free flies,
May the way to freedom truly lie;
Arise, arise, O sons of Ghanaland,
And under God march on for evermore!
Arise, arise, O sons of Ghanaland,
And under God march on for evermore!
