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National anthems serve a function beyond just blending melodies and lyrics. They represent the essence of a country's history, culture, and ideals.
These songs instill pride and unity in citizens, expressing the country's collective identity. As such, national anthems occupy a special place in the hearts of the people they represent.
Many countries today understand the importance of updating their national anthems to reflect current societal ideals and promote inclusivity. This shift reflects a changing perception of what it means to properly represent all citizens in a country.
Countries are currently evaluating and rewriting their national anthems to ensure that they reflect contemporary ideas and celebrate their populations' diversity.
Countries That Have Changed Their National Anthem
1. Australia
On January 1, 2021, Australia’s national anthem, “Advance Australia Fair,” underwent a notable change. The alteration was made to the second line, which was changed from “For we are young and free” to “For we are one and free.”
The change aimed to acknowledge the extensive history of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, recognizing that Australia’s history extends tens of thousands of years before European settlement. By making this modification, the anthem now better reflects the ancient and rich heritage of the nation’s Indigenous population.
2. Austria
In 2012, Austria took a significant step towards promoting gender inclusivity by modifying its national anthem, “Land der Berge, Land am Strome” (Land of Mountains, Land by the River). The original lyrics, which exclusively mentioned “great sons,” were revised to include “great daughters and sons.” This change was more than a mere update of words; it represented a profound shift in recognizing and valuing the contributions of all Austrians, regardless of gender.
The decision to alter the anthem was driven by a desire to ensure that it accurately reflects and represents the entire population of Austria. By incorporating both daughters and sons in the lyrics, Austria aimed to foster a sense of equality and inclusiveness in its national narrative. This move was seen as a necessary step towards modernizing the anthem to resonate with contemporary values.
The change also aimed to address long-standing gender disparities in national symbols and narratives. By explicitly acknowledging the role of women alongside men, the revised anthem promotes a more balanced and equitable representation of Austrian society. It signals a commitment to gender equality, recognizing the importance of inclusivity in fostering national unity.
3. Canada
In 2018, Canada implemented a significant change to its national anthem, “O Canada.” The line “in all thy sons command” was altered to “in all of us command.” This modification aimed to make the anthem more inclusive and reflective of all Canadians, irrespective of gender.
The change was part of a broader effort to ensure that the national anthem aligns with modern Canadian values of gender neutrality and inclusivity. By updating the lyrics, Canada sought to create a national symbol that represents every citizen equally. This step was widely viewed as a positive move towards fostering an inclusive national identity.
The revision of the anthem was also intended to address historical gender biases present in national symbols and narratives.
4. South Africa
In recent years, the anthem has undergone minor changes to ensure proper pronunciation and inclusivity of all represented languages.
These adjustments were made to better reflect the linguistic diversity within South Africa. By refining the pronunciation and inclusivity, the anthem now more accurately honors the rich variety of languages spoken by the South African people.
5. Nigeria
On May 29th, 2024, President Bola Tinubu signed into law the return of ‘Nigeria, We Hail Thee,’ nearly five decades after ‘Arise, O Compatriots’ became the national anthem.
In less than two weeks, a bill sponsored by Julius Ihonvbere, the majority leader of the House, seeking to replace Nigeria’s anthem received overwhelming support. With the bill now signed into law, Nigerians must heed a new, albeit old, national call.
A primary motivator for this anthem change is Nigeria’s strong ties with its past, previously demonstrated by its recurrent preference for former military leaders. This move underscores the importance of national symbols and the role they play in unifying the populace. By reverting to their previous anthem, Nigeria acknowledges a piece of its historical identity while
According to Godswill Akpabio, the Senate president, “I think one of the most important is to take us back to our genealogy; the genealogy of our birth… Whether in the field of battle or politics, we must hail Nigeria.”
