Forever Marshall Islands

"Forever Marshall Islands" (Marshallese: Indeeo Ṃajeḷ) is the national anthem of the Marshall Islands. Former President Amata Kabua created the lyrics. Korean composer Gil ok-yun composed the music. President Amata Kabua requested that a new anthem be created. The song was finished and recorded at Oasis records in Seoul.[a][1]

Forever Marshall Islands
National anthem of Marshall Islands
LyricsAmata Kabua
MusicGil ok yun
Adopted1991
Music sample

It replaced the old national anthem, "Ij Io̧kwe Ļo̧k Aelōn̄ Eo Aō".[2]

Lyrics

Marshallese original IPA transcription English translation

Aelōn̄ eo ao ion lometo;
Einwot wut ko lōti ion dren elae;
Kin meram in Mekar jen ijo ilan̄;
Erreo an romak ioir kin meram in mour;
Eltan pein Anij eweleo im wōj;
Kejolit kij kin ijin jikir emol;
Ijjamin Ilok jen in aō lemoran;
Anij an ro jemem wonakke im kejrammon
Aelin̄ kein ad.

[ɑe̯.lʲɪŋ e̯o ɑːɔ̯ i̯on lʲɔ.mʲɛ.dˠoː]
[ei̯nʲ.wɔtˠ wɯtˠ kʷɔ lʲɤ.dˠi i̯on rˠɛnʲ ɛ.lʲɑːɛ̯]
[kɪnʲ mʲɛ.rˠɑːmʲ inʲ mʲɛ.gɑːrˠ zʲɛnʲ i.zʲo i.lʲɑŋ]
[ɛr.rʲe̯o ɑnʲ rʷɔ.mʲɑg i̯o.ɨrˠ kɪnʲ mʲɛ.rˠɑːmʲ inʲ mʲou̯rˠ]
[ɛlˠ.dˠɑnʲ bʲei̯nʲ ɑ.nʲitʲ e.wɛː.lʲe̯ɔ imʲ wɤtʲ]
[kɛ.zʲo.lʲɪtˠ kɨzʲ kɪnʲ i.zʲinʲ tʲi.gɨrˠ ɛ.mʲɔːlʲ]
[iz.zʲɑ.mʲinʲ i.lʲɒkʷ zʲɛnʲ inʲ æ͡ɒ lʲɛ.mʲɔː.rˠænʲ]
[ɑ.nʲizʲ ɑnʲ rˠɔ zʲɛ.mʲɛmʲ wɔ.nʲɑg.gɛ imʲ gɛzʲ.rˠɑ.mʲɒnʲ ɑe.lʲɪŋ gei̯nʲ arʲ]

My island lies o'er the ocean;
Like a wreath of flowers upon the sea;
With the light of the Maker from far above;
Shining with the brilliance of rays of life;
Our Father's wondrous creation;
Bequeathed to us, our motherland;
I'll never leave my dear home sweet home;
God of our forefathers protect and bless
Forever Marshall Islands.

References

Notes
  1. Regarding the composer of this song, some say Amata Kabua also composed the song, however it is more likely that Amata as a producer selected one out of the candidates for the anthem composed by different composers.