God Bless Fiji

"Meda Dau Doka" (Fijian pronunciation: [meⁿda ⁿdɔu̯ ⁿdoka]), also known as "God Bless Fiji" in English, is the national anthem of Fiji. It was adopted in 1970 when the country got its independence from the United Kingdom.

Meda Dau Doka
English: God Bless Fiji
National anthem of Fiji
LyricsMichael Francis Alexander Prescott
MusicCharles Austin Miles
Adopted1970

Earlier, in 1911, American gospel writer Charles Austin Miles composed the music for the Christian hymn Dwelling in Beulah Land – the same melody that is being used for this song today.

The lyrics (words) were written by Michael Francis Alexander Prescott.[1] The Fijian version and the English version are not translations of each other, and the English version is used much more commonly.[2]

In 2008, it was suggested that this anthem should be sung in Fijian, English and Fiji Hindi – the country's official languages – all in one piece.[3][2]

Lyrics

Fijian version

Fijian lyrics
(official)
IPA transcription Fijian to English translation

Meda dau doka ka vinakata na vanua
E ra sa dau tiko kina na savasava
Rawa tu na gauna ni sautu na veilomani
Me sa Biu na i tovo tawa yaga

Me bula ga ko Viti
Ka me toro ga ki liu
Me ra turaga vinaka ko ira na i liuliu
Me ra liutaki na tamata
E na veika vinaka
Me oti kina na i tovo ca

Me da dau doka ka vinakata na vanua
E ra sa dau tiko kina na savasava
Rawa tu na gauna ni sautu na veilomani
Me sa biu na i tovo tawa yaga

Bale ga vei kemuni na cauravou e Viti
Ni yavala me savasava na vanua
Ni kakua ni vosota na dukadukali
Ka me da sa qai biuta vakadua[2][4]

[meⁿda ⁿdɔu̯ ⁿdoka ka βinakata na βanua]
[e ra sa ⁿdɔu̯ tʃiko kina na saβasaβa]
[raɰa tu na ŋɔu̯na ni sɔu̯tu na βei̯lomani]
[me sa ᵐbi̯u na i toβo taɰa jaŋa]

[me ᵐbula ŋa ko βitʃi]
[ka me toro ŋa ki li̯u]
[me ra turaŋa βinaka ko ira na i li̯uli̯u]
[me ra li̯utaki na tamata]
[e na βei̯ka βinaka]
[me otʃi kina na i toβo ða]

[me ⁿda ⁿdɔu̯ ⁿdoka ka βinakata na βanua]
[e ra sa ⁿdɔu̯ tʃiko kina na saβasaβa]
[rawa tu na ŋɔu̯na ni sɔu̯tu na βei̯lomani]
[me sa ᵐbi̯u na i toβo taɰa jaŋa]

[ᵐbale ŋa βei̯ kemuni na ðɔu̯raβou̯ e βitʃi]
[ni jaβala me saβasaβa na βanua]
[ni kakua ni βosota na ⁿdukaⁿdukali]
[ka me da sa ᵑɡɛi̯ ᵐbi̯uta βakaⁿdua]

Let us show our pride and honour our nation
Where righteous people reside
Where prosperity and fellowship may persevere
Abandon deeds that are immoral

Let Fiji live on
And progress onwards
May our leaders be honourable men
Let them lead our people
To great things
And bring an end to all things immoral

Let us show pride and honour our nation
Where righteous people reside
Where prosperity and fellowship may persevere
Abandon deeds that are immoral

The burden of change lie on your shoulders youth of Fiji
Be the strength to cleanse our nation
Be wary and not harbour malice
For we must abandon such sentiments forever[2]

English version

This version is much more popular.[2]
Blessing grant oh God of nations on the isles of Fiji
As we stand united under noble banner blue
And we honour and defend the cause of freedom ever
Onward march together
God bless Fiji
Chorus:
For Fiji, ever Fiji, let our voices ring with pride
For Fiji, ever Fiji, her name hails far and wide,
A land of freedom, hope and glory, to endure what ever befalls
May God bless Fiji
Forever more!
Blessing grant, oh God of nations, on the isles of Fiji
Shores of golden sand and sunshine, happiness and song
Stand united, we of Fiji, fame and glory ever
Onward march together
God bless Fiji.[2][4]

Fiji Hindi version

He jagdishwar, kripa karo tum Fiji desh pe apne
Ahle watan hum teri sharan mein, teri dhwaja ke neehe
Ajaadi ki raksha aur samman sada hum karege
Sab milke badhte rahege
Sarwamangal Fiji
Yeh Fiji, hamara Fiji
Hum sab mil gaate rahe
Yeh Fiji Hamara Fiji
Yeh naara lagate rahe
Dharti hai apni, azaadi, asha aur garva ki
Kripa rahe prabhu ki, Fiji par sarwada[4]

References

  1. http://www.national-anthems.org/anthems/country/FIJI Archived 2018-12-14 at the Wayback Machine FIJI. National-anthems.org
  2. 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 http://www.nationalanthems.info/fj.htm Fiji. NationalAnthems.info.
  3. https://web.archive.org/web/20120322005020/http://www.fijitimes.com/story.aspx?id=97186 Charter proposes common name. Fiji Times. 7 August 2008. Archived 22 March 2012.
  4. 4.0 4.1 4.2 http://www.20ccem.gov.fj/index.php/national-anthem National Anthem. 20th Conference of Commonwealth Education Ministers, 20ccem.gov.fj. Retrieved 24 May 2020.