La Zaïroise
La Zaïroise by Joseph Lutumba (lyrics) and Simon-Pierre Boka Di Mpasi Londi (music) was the national anthem of Zaïre from 1972 to 1997.
Original lyrics in French
- Zaïrois dans la paix retrouvée,
- Peuple uni, nous sommes Zaïrois
- En avant fier et plein de dignité
- Peuple grand, peuple libre à jamais
- Tricolore, enflamme nous du feu sacré
- Pour bâtir notre pays toujours plus beau
- Autour d'un fleuve Majesté (2×)
- Tricolore au vent, ravive l'idéal
- Qui nous relie aux aïeux, à nos enfants
- Paix, justice et travail. (2×)
English translation
- Zairians, living in rediscovered peace,
- United people, we are Zairians;
- Let us go forward, proud and dignified.
- A great people, a people forever free.
- Tricolored flag, light in us the sacred flame,
- To build our country with more beauty than before,
- Around the majestic river;
- Around the majestic river.
- Tricolored flag in the wind, revive the ideal,
- Which links us to our ancestors and our children,
- Peace, justice, and work;
- Peace, justice, and work.