La Dessalinienne

"La Dessalinienne" is named in honor of Haiti's revolutionary leader and first ruler Jean-Jacques Dessalines. The title was suggested by historian Clément Lanier. ==History==

To commemorate the 100th anniversary of the Haitian Revolution, a competition was held for a national anthem in 1903. The poetic words of Justin Lhérisson and martial composition of Nicolas Geffrard won over the judges, who preferred it to "L'Artibonitienne" by Capois diplomat Louis Edouard Pouget. The text and music were printed at Bernard's in Port-au-Prince and distributed throughout the country during the week. It was officially adopted as the national anthem in 1904. ==Lyrics==

As a one-verse rendition can be relatively short, a common way to lengthen a performance is to perform an abridged arrangement consisting of the first verse immediately followed by the last. we must walk hand in hand There must not be traitors among us – We alone must be our master Let us walk hand in hand that Haiti may be more beautiful Let us put our heads together for Haiti on behalf of all the ancestors For Haiti on the behalf of the Ancestors Let us mow, let us sow. All our strength rests in the soil – It is what feeds us. Let us mound up earth, let us send water With joy, the earth must be fertile Mow, water, women and men that we may live by our own arms' strength alone. For Haiti and for the Ancestors We must be courageous, capable men. People are not born to serve others That is why all mothers and fathers Need to send children to school, For them to learn, for them to know what Toussaint, Dessalines, Christophe, Pétion did to take Haitians from under the whites' rope. For Haiti on the behalf of the Ancestors Let us raise our head and look above. Let everyone to ask the Lord to grant us protection that the evil angels may not divert us, that we may walk in the right path. For liberty to be able to liberate, justice must spread over the country! We have a flag like all peoples. Let us love it, die for it. It was not a gift from the whites – It was our Ancestors' blood that was shed. Let us hold our flag high. Let us work together and focus that other countries may respect it This flag is the soul of every Haitian. ==See also==