"" (; , ; ) is the national anthem of Greenland, an autonomous state of the Kingdom of Denmark. Written by Henning Jakob Henrik Lund in 1912, it was officially adopted in 1916. Music for it was later composed by Jonathan Petersen in 1937.
The reference to Kalaallit as "half-grown children" yearning to join the "advanced nations" of the world has been considered controversial in modern times. Since 1979, "Nuna asiilasooq" ("The Land of Great Length"), an ethnic anthem used by the self-governing Kalaallit, has also been officially recognised by the government.
History
The song was written in 1912 by Greenlandic priest Henning Jakob Henrik Lund, originally set to the melody of the Swedish national anthem, "Du gamla, du fria". It was one of the first Greenlandic national songs and has been suggested to have been written as a national battle song for politicians pushing for a bill on home rule.
In 1937, organist and piano teacher Jonathan Petersen composed a melody for the anthem. It was the only Greenlandic song translated into Danish, and remained so for many years, and as such was given official status as the national anthem of Greenland by Denmark. It was performed in this role at the University of Copenhagen in 1921 for the 200th anniversary of missionary Hans Egede's landing in Greenland and in 1937 for King Christian X's 25-year jubilee.
!IPA transcription
!1916 Danish translation<br />(by William Thalbitzer)
!1985 Danish translation<br />(by Mads Lidegaard)
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|<poem>I
Our ancient land under ice glimmer's phryctoria
with glowing snow-hair around your head!
You faithful mother, who carried us in your embrace
while your shores' riches you promised us.
II
As half-grown children, we are sprouted from your soil
and safely grown up among your mountains,
we call ourselves kalaallit in the land where we live
reverently for the oldness of your white face.
III
And all while we use your abundant bloom
we long for new forms of the world,
we remove every obstacle that hinders you, our mother
and cheerfully towards distant goals we storm.
IV
The advanced people gave us an example
and we will also strive for that,
while the world of books is our walking stick,
which carries us forward and gives new strength.
V
It's impossible now to stay in rest longer,
kalaallit, towards great goals we meet.
As freeborn people we in the country will live;
start believing in your own abilities.</poem>
|<poem>I
Our country, which has become so old
your head is all covered with white hair.
Always held us, your children, in your bosom
and gave us the riches of your coasts.
II
As middle children in the family
we blossomed here
Kalaallit, we want to call ourselves
before your proud and honourable head.
III
With a burning desire to develop what you have
to give, renewing,
removing your obstacles
our desire to move is forward, forward.
IV
The way of matured societies
is our zealous goal to attain;
the effect of speech and letters
we long to behold
V
Humbleness is not the course,
Kalaallit wake up and be proud!
A dignified life is our goal;
courageously take a stand</poem>
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Notes
References
External links
- MIDI and sheet music
- Greenland's regional anthem on YouTube (short version)