God Bless Fiji

"God Bless Fiji" is the national anthem of Fiji. It is called "Meda Dau Doka" (Fijian: [me.ⁿda ⁿdɔu̯ ⁿdo.ka]) in Fijian and "Bhagavaan Fiji ko Aasheervaad Den" (भगवान फिजी को आशीर्वाद दें) in Fiji Hindi. The lyrics were written by Michael Francis Alexander Prescott (1928–2006) to the tune of the hymn "Dwelling in Beulah Land" by Charles Austin Miles (1911),^[1][2] and the music was adapted by Viliame Bale,^[2] Superintendent and Director of Music in the Royal Fiji Police Band.^[2][3] The anthem was adopted upon independence from the United Kingdom in 1970.^[2]

God Bless Fiji

National anthem of Fiji
Also known as	"Meda dau doka" (Fijian version) "Bhagavaan Fiji ko Aasheervaad Den" (भगवान फिजी को आशीर्वाद दें) (Fiji Hindi version)
Lyrics	Michael Francis Alexander Prescott
Music	Charles Austin Miles (original), 1911 Viliame Bale (band arrangement)
Adopted	1970
Audio sample
U.S. Navy Band instrumental version (one verse and chorus) file help

Lyrics

The anthem's English version is usually sung. The English and Fijian lyrics are not translations of each other and have very little in common.^[1]

In August 2008, the draft version of the People's Charter for Change, Peace and Progress, a government document intended to supplement the Constitution and reconcile ethnic and linguistic divides, suggested that the national anthem should be in the country's three main languages: Fijian, Hindi and English.^[4] The Charter later served as the basis for the 2013 Constitution of Fiji.

English lyrics

I 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 hail far and wide,[a] A land of freedom, hope and glory to endure whatever befall[b] May God bless Fiji forever more! II 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. Chorus[10][11]

Fijian lyrics

Fijian original[10][11]	IPA transcription[c]	English translation
I Meda dau doka ka vinakata na vanua E ra sa dau tiko kina na savasava Rawa tu na gauna ni sautu na veilomani Biu na i tovo tawa savasava[d] Chorus: Me bula ga ko Viti ka me toro ga ki liu Me ra turaga vinaka ko ira na i liuliu[e] Me ra liutaki na tamata e na veika vinaka Me oti kina na i tovo ca II 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[d] Chorus	1 [me.ⁿda ⁿdɔu̯ ⁿdo.ka ka βi.na.ka.ta na βa.nu.a] [e ra sa ⁿdɔu̯ ti.ko ki.na na sa.βa.sa.βa] [ra.ɰa tu na ŋɔu̯.na ni sɔu̯.tu na βei̯.lo.ma.ni] [ᵐbi̯u na‿i to.βo ta.ɰa sa.βa.sa.βa][d]   [me ᵐbu.la ŋa ko βi.t(ʃ)i ka me to.ro ŋa ki li̯u] [me (ra) tu.ra.ŋa βi.na.ka ko i.ra na‿i li̯u.li̯u][e] [me ra li̯u.ta.ki na ta.ma.ta e na βei̯.ka βi.na.ka] [me o.ti ki.na na‿i to.βo ða] 2 [ᵐba.le ŋa βei̯ ke.mu.ni na ðɔu̯.ra.βɔu̯ e βi.t(ʃ)i] [ni ja.βa.la me sa.βa.sa.βa na βa.nu.a] [ni ka.ku.a ni βo.so.ta na ⁿdu.ka.ⁿdu.ka.li] [ka me ⁿda sa ᵑɡai̯ ᵐbi̯u.ta βa.ka.ⁿdu.a][d]	I Let us show our pride and honour our nation Where righteous people reside Where prosperity and fellowship may persevere Abandon deeds that are immoral Chorus: 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 II 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 Chorus

Hindi lyrics

Fiji Hindi lyrics[11]
I 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 Chorus: 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

See also

• Modern history of Fiji

Notes

1. "Hail" is sometimes sung as "hails".^[5][6][7]
2. "Whatever" is sometimes sung as "whate'er",^[5][8] and "befall" is sometimes sung as "befalls".^[5][7][9]
3. See Help:IPA/Fijian, Fijian language § Phonology and Fijian language § Orthography.
4. Sometimes sung as Me sa biu na i tovo tawa yaga ([me sa ᵐbi̯u na‿i to.βo ta.ɰa ja.ŋa]).^[12]
5. Ra is sometimes omitted.^[12][13]